Reading

Backwards Planning and Teaching for Enduring Understanding

1. McTighe and Wiggens suggest that the first thing to do when planning a project is to reflect on the deep learning or enduring understandings you'd like your students to come away with? Backwards planning starts with the end product or deep learning you want your students to "get" and keep as a result of the project. Another resource to help you with your enduring understandings and essential questions is: Five Essential Questions and Enduring Understandings. The Teaching Crosscurrents site is also a good resource to help you determine your enduring understandings for this project.
   
   
2. If you are going to do a global project you will need partners for your project. You can either join an existing project which will provide you with project partners, or if you know teachers in other countries, or areas of your own country, you can begin planning with them. The sites you've explored so far will be helpful as you think about this. Remember to start small if this is your first attempt at a global project. Joining an existing project is a good way to start.

   Look at the following sites to help you get more ideas for your project:

   • iEarn
   • ePals
   • ThinkQuest
   • Global School Net (and GSN Project Planning)
   • Doreen Nelson's article on "Backwards Thinking"
     

Then take a look at the Project Planning Guide. This is your first introduction to the planning tool you will use as you plan your project. At this point just become aware the things you will need to think about as you plan your project. We will revisit this guide, section by section,frequently as you plan you project.

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