Learning How To Align 9th Grade ELA GPS and ILS

By:Adrienne Button

Stacey MouraTraci Williams

Established Goals:Aligning IL standards to ELA standards

Understandings:Big Ideas

Essential Questions:

Strategies employed to:Teach the skillsTeach the concepts

(Wiggins and McTighe, 2006, p. 22)

Research what each standard is saying.

Look up any unknown terms.

Compare the IL & GP standards.

Establish your student learning outcomes.

Determine what standards you want to align. In each standard determine:

skills needed,the dispositions (outcome),the responsibilities,self assessment strategies.

Determine what the big idea is by:Reviewing curriculum expectations,Determining which concepts are you targeting,Choosing your learning outcomes,Looking at what may be confusing and focus on

it(p. 22)

Before coming up with essential questions ask yourself or group these questions:Which questions will produce higher order

thinking,Which questions will produce excitement of

learning,Which questions will promote discussion.

Finally make sure all essential questions are coordinating with your big idea.

Use activities which are hands on.

Demonstrate skill.Allow ample

opportunity for practice.

Teach small groups.Make sure you are

competent in doing skill before teaching.

Know your audience

Teach concepts before details.

Concepts are general knowledge.

Use critical thinking techniques to associate relationship between words and ideas.

Use both familiar and unfamiliar examples.

Concepts

Wiggins, G.P., & McTighe, J. (2006). Understanding by design (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.