FUEL Workshop Descriptions
We designed several workshops that highlight some innovative practices in education. These workshops can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific school or district. Please contact Matt Cronin if you are interested in arranging a workshop for your school or district.
Backwards Design...
will highlight the approach to curriculum design created by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in their book Understanding By Design. Participants will plan their units using desired results in the form of state standards and determine the lessons from the evidence of learning (performances) required by the standard as well as the teaching needed to ensure a successful performance by all students.
Integration of Multiple Content Areas...
will assist participants in developing strategies for designing units, lessons and performance assessments for more than one discipline.
Performance Assessments...
will involve the creation of authentic assessments for units that engage students in meaningful work and requires them to accept a role that will be necessary in order to successfully complete the project.
Rubrics for Authentic Tasks...
will be developed by attendees using successful models that articulate clear performance standards for students, help students monitor their success towards deļ¬ned goals, and assist teachers with consistency and timely management of their grading.
Sample Agenda
Morning Session
- Introduction and presentation on backwards design and integration
- Mousetrap Activity: Finding the standards in performance-based activities
- Unpacking the Standards: Prioritizing skills and content to increase student achievement
- Group Activity: Create your own performance assessment
Afternoon Session
- Redefining Rubrics: Precise evaluation in the classroom
- Smart Cookie Activity: Defining criterion and performance levels for rubrics
- Action Plan: Defining the next steps for implementation
