The Search for Understanding-The Case For the Constructivist Classroom

After reading this article, the key concepts made most sense to me in a before, during and after teaching format. There were many strong points that I would like to ensure I look at in those three different development and implementation stages of my teaching. First and foremost, I'd like to look at the "before" teaching stage. While utilizing the UbD approach to developing units, it's important to incorporate:

1. Problems of Relevance (meaningful and relative to students understanding)
2. Primary Concepts: Less is More, the idea that students take control of their own learning, the teacher uses "Big Ideas" to run the learning plan
3. Learning plans that seek and value student's point of view
4. Curriculum that can be adapted and adjusted to fit each students needs
5. Learning Plans and Unit development should include time for questioning, experimenting and facilitation. 
6. Cognitive Language: classify, analyze, predict, create

While implementing the learning plan it is important that students continue to be guided by the 1) primary concepts relative to their understanding. 2) Learning plans should be guided by "student" conversation rather that teacher directed talking. Cognitive language should be used to develop understand . One way to think of this concept is to ask what students know, instead of telling them what to know. 3) As discussed earlier, in the UbD  development, time for experimenting with materials such as manipulatives are beneficial, because it is interactive and physical. 4) Another piece to be carried out during the learning plan is the use of formative and summative assessment to guided the learning plan and give the teacher an idea of each students understanding on the topic. 

And finally, after the learning plan, the assessments given can be looked at and curriculum can be adapted to meet each students needs as the teacher continues through the unit. More time might need to be given  for students to meet the benchmarks for any given primary concept, but through the reading, I've found it to be important to continually think of creating an leaning environment that is focused the constructivist concepts. 

To read the book for yourself:

Title: In Search For Understanding: The Case for the Constructivist Classroom by Jacqueline Greenon- Brooks and Martin Brooks