For me, as a long-time classroom teacher, the Understanding by Design template was valuable but incredibly difficult to follow. Veteran teachers have to combat several tendencies when using this backward planning template

 

• Avoid the tendency to think you "know it all" as a veteran teacher. The backwards design process is valuable and should not be short cut because it the most direct way to ensure that students meet learning objectives because learning activities are chosen and matched to standards.

• Resist the urge to be "activity heavy"- many classroom teachers feel that hands-on, attention-getting activities are automatically great learning activities, even though they are often not appropriately linked to learning objectives.

• Combat the tendency to plan the lesson around favorite activities. All teachers have favorite activities that they love to use with students and to incorporate in lessons. These should only be used to the extent that they meet learning objectives.

 

My UbD Unit Template is attached below: