Moving Toward Lesson Planning Using Backward Mapping

I am still learning the ropes of teaching.  I usually start with my textbooks, formulate lessons, and then design assessments.  This is a blog on a better practice for creating lessons.

That better way to plan a lesson is to start with the end result in mind, a method known as backward mapping.. “Backward design, also called backward planning or backward mapping, is a process that educators use to design learning experiences and instructional techniques to achieve specific learning goals. Backward design begins with the objectives of a unit or course—what students are expected to learn and be able to do—and then proceeds ‘backward’ to create lessons that achieve those desired goals” (Backward Design Definition, 2013).

The first standard on which I am using this method is a Georgia State Standard for sixth-grade math. It is as follows:

It is easy to find the proficiencies this standard is designed around: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals.  I will focus on three of these.

These proficiencies represent the ends that I am beginning with, the destinations I am seeking my students to reach.  I will know they have reached these goals if they pass assessments of these skills.  Two of my assessments are standard math tests.  The first will test the first two proficiencies, Add/Subtract Decimals Test, and the second will test the third proficiency, Multiplying Decimals Test.  The third assessment will test students ability to recall the rules associated with adding, subtracting, and multiplying decimals.  For example, to add and subtract decimals you must align numbers by their decimals.  To multiply decimals does not require decimal alignment, but instead one must count the total number of decimal places used in the problem and give the answer the same amount of decimal places.  Students will express these rules and give sample problems through one of the following media: a video, a song/poem, or poster.  Here is an example:

Having determined my standard, proficiencies, and assessments, I am ready to create my learning experiences that will move my students toward the goals.

1. Adding Decimals Lesson Outline
1. Whiteboard Lecture
1. Rules for Adding Multi-Digit Decimals
2. Demonstration of Algorithm for Adding Decimals
2. Mini-Whiteboard Challenge: students compete to get the right answer to 20 problems on their mini-white boards.
3. Homework: 10-problem worksheet and making 10 copies of the rules for adding decimals
2. Subtracting Decimals Lesson Outline
1. Video Lesson and Demonstration of Algorithm for Subtracting Decimals
2. Worksheet with 30 problems
3. Homework: None
3. Multiplying Decimals Lesson Outline
1. Whiteboard Lecture
1. Rules for Multiplying Multi-Digit Decimals
2. Demonstration of Algorithm for Multiplying Decimals
2. Large and mini-whiteboard challenge: All students work 12 problems, most on mini-whiteboards while taking turns solving problems on the main whiteboard.
3. Homework: 10-problem worksheet and making 10 copies of the rules for multiplying decimals

Backward planning makes sense.  I look forward to developing these lessons further and implementing them this semester.

Reference

Backward Design Definition. (2013, December 13). Retrieved September 12, 2017, from http://edglossary.org/backward-design/