Feb 16, 2016
Concept Based Curriculum and Instruction
What You Need to Know
Session Objectives and Learning Targets
Objective Understand how concept-
based curriculum and instruction can be used to improve student learning across content areas.
Discuss how to implement and provide feedback relating to concept based curriculum and instruction.
Learning Targets Demonstrate an understanding
of concept based curriculum and instruction.
share all information and resources from this session with the leaders and teachers within LEAs and schools.
NCDPI K-12 Social Studies TeamSection ChiefFay [email protected]
K-12 Consultants:Ann [email protected]
Justyn [email protected]
Dr. Steve [email protected]
Michelle [email protected]
Program AssistantBernadette [email protected]
A few agreements for our time together:
Place electronic devices on vibrate or off
Participate fully
Limit side-bar conversations
Respectfully disagree
Ground Rules
Any additional suggestions from participants?Questions and Comments: https://todaysmeet.com/SI14CBCI
Questions to Drive the Brain!
• What is concept based curriculum and instruction?
• What is the difference between teaching concepts and teaching conceptually?
• What should you see and hear in a concept based classroom?
• What is the most important type of knowledge within concept based curriculum and instruction?
• What kind of assessments should we see in a concept-based classroom?
What Is Concept-based Curriculum And Instruction?
The Concept-Based Curriculum & Instructional Framework is …•A three-dimensional design model that allows teachers to identify what is important for students to know, understand, and be able to do in an organized, planned unit of instruction that promotes student engagement and thinking.
•During the instruction, teachers use concepts as a tool to help students see patterns and connections between facts and related ideas in order to reach a deeper understanding of the content.
You must have a plan!
Trying to teach in the 21st century without conceptual schema for
knowledge is like trying to build a house without a blueprint.(Erickson, 2002, p. 8)
Let’s Observe Two Classrooms
Guiding Questions
1.What behaviors did you see the teacher exhibiting during this lesson?
2.What behaviors did you see the students exhibiting during this lesson?
3.How did the students respond to the teaching and learning experience?
4.What feedback would you offer to the teacher following an observation?
Classroom #1
Guiding Questions
1.What behaviors did you see the teacher exhibiting during this lesson?
2.What behaviors did you see the students exhibiting during this lesson?
3.How did the students respond to the teaching and learning experience?
4.What feedback would you offer the teacher following an observation?
5.What are the differences between the traditional classroom and this lesson experience?
What Did You See?
• Based on the videos, what should you see in a concept based classroom?
• Think of how these might be turned into an observation protocol!
Unit Design
What is a principle/generalization in concept-based curriculum and instruction?
Two or more concepts in a relationship...
Concept Concept
CONCEPTUAL IDEAS THAT TRANSFER DEVELOP “DEEP UNDERSTANDING’’
What do I understand as a result of my study that I can transfer?
What is the difference between a concept and a topic?
“[A concept is] a mental construct that frames a set of
examples sharing common attributes.” - H. Lynn Erickson
Concepts are…
Timeless Universal Transferable Abstract and broad (to
various degrees) Examples share common
attributes Represented by 1-2
words
Generalizations or Principles may also be called… Essential Understandings Enduring Understandings “Big Ideas”
Students will understand that:
War may alter the physical and human geography of a place.
The population of a species will grow to fill any available habitat to which it can adapt.
Repetition of lines can imply texture or pattern.
Common Errors1. Use of past tense verbs or proper nouns which makes
them facts instead of generalizations or principles2. Use of proper nouns or pronouns3. Only one concept represented4. Use of value statements5. Lack of clarity (poor word choice or sentence
construction)6. Use of level 1 verbs: impact, affect, influence, is, are,
have (need to scaffold)
Evaluating Generalizations and Principles
Do the ideas should grow in sophistication?
Do the ideas become clearer from level to level because they are more specific (use more specific micro concepts)?
Did the writers answer their question at each level?
Did the writer avoid using impacts, influences, affects?
Are the verbs active and present tense?
Are the ideas based in fact? (Use “often,” “can,” and “may” if not true all the time, but still important)? Are the ideas developmentally appropriate?
Two or more concepts in a relationship...
War Resources
War may decrease the availability of resources.
Two or more concepts in a relationship...
Organisms niches
Organisms may occupy specific niches in a habitat.
habitat
Two or more concepts in a relationship...
People faced with social injustice may choose to submit or revolt.
Social injustice revoltsubmit
People
So…
• How does a typical generalization or principle differ from factual knowledge and skills?
• Do you still NEED factual knowledge and skills to get to the Big Ideas?
What Do You Need to Do
• Impediments to change?• Site based learning
teams• SHARED VISION AND
COMMON FOCUS• Staff development and
support• Performance Tasks and
other assessments
District curriculum provides:– Clear expectations– Common focus for
professional conversations
– A criteria for selecting resources
– A basis for decision making
– Ongoing engagement with community members (p. 119)
Let’s Wrap It Up…
Respond in Today’s Meet (https://todaysmeet.com/SI14CBCI):• Based on our conversation today, is concept-based
curriculum and instruction ‘doable’ in your district or school?• Do you already do this in your district or school?• What strategies do you/can you use to implement concept
based curriculum and instruction in your district or school? • What would you add or change about the observation
protocol we began to develop?• What other questions, comments, or concerns do you
have?
Resources
• Social Studies CBCI Wiki: http://cbci.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/
• Social Studies CBCI-Related Webinars: http://ssnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/SS+Webinar+Series
• Concept Based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom (H. Lynn Erikson)
• Transitioning to Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction (H. Lynn Erikson, Lois A. Lanning)