UbD and DI: What Really Matters in Learning (Chapter 3)

     The third chapter of Integrating Differentiated Instruction + Understanding by Design, by Carol Ann Tomlinson and Jay McTighe, focused on content. Well-developed content and curriculum are absolutely crucial to education and, as the authors express, it is becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy the standards set by the state. Although there are many ways to establish a lesson, backwards planning seems efficient as it forces the teacher to keep the goal in mind throughout the planning process. Simply put, backwards planning is establishing a set of desired results and using acceptable evidence to create a lesson plan that will satisfy it. There are many benefits to planning in this way, most important, is making certain that the results that you, as the teacher, established are being achieved.

     Content is indescribably essential to a good education. As a teacher it will be my job to create a clear and well-developed curriculum that will service my students, both inside and outside, of the classroom. Where I am now, the idea of developing content and curriculum is a highly daunting task, though this chapter has fed my readiness in eventually doing so. When developing a curriculum, using backwards planning could be useful in making sure that I am creating attainable goals in my lessons. Although I do believe that the state probably provides too many standards, I do think it is important for standards to exist as guidelines for education; there presence creates an even playing ground for students, no matter their background.