Focus on the Planning Process, not the Planner!

Below are some easy steps to follow for each unit of inquiry:

- All grade level teachers collaborate on the unit and create the unit planner before the unit starts,

- The thoughtful use of resources is considered, both in and beyond the learning community to enhance
and extend learning.

- Transdisciplinary theme is introduced to the students,

- Lines of inquiry are introduced to the students,

- Key concepts and related concepts are introduced to the students,

- ATL skills are introduced to the students,

- Unit planner is displayed on the classroom wall,

- Connections are made to previous learning,

- Students’ prior knowledge is assessed,

- Learning goals are shared and success criteria are co-constructed with the students,

- Teachers’ questions are posted,

- Students are encouraged and given opportunities to ask questions and record their questions,

- A provocation corner is created in the classroom or it can be on padlet if it is online, (Provocation

corner might include books, items, experiments, photos, qr codes of some videos, articles, games, etc.
related to unit and other subjects)

- Students are given opportunities for peer and self-assessment,

- Classroom displays are created by the students,

- Student agency is supported on each step of inquiry in each subject area,

- Differentiate your instruction by grouping students by shared interest, topic, or ability, designing
lessons based on students’ learning styles, assessing students’ learning using different types of formative
assessment, and adjusting lesson content to meet students’ needs.

- Inquiry cycle is followed from the beginning till the end of the unit,

- Connections to other cultures referring to world map is planned,

- Engaging learning activities are designed for students to dig deeper in their inquiry,

- Student initiated action is encouraged,

- Students’ reflecting on the unit is continuously supported by visible thinking routines,

- Quality homework is assigned to foster students’ skills in researching, communicating and thinking and
quality feedback is given for each assignment on time.
- Formative (for each line of inquiry) and summative assessments are shared with the students with
their rubrics or checklists,

Formative and summative assessment encompasses:

● Reflective evaluation

● Signs of Success (Self-assessment)

● Self-assessment and peer assessment

● Quizzes, small weekly tests

● Projects and portfolios

● Classroom tasks

● Home learning

● Class participation

● Practical or experimental learning

● Teachers’ observations and discussions

● Written assessment (such as tasks, short answers, reports, research projects, etc.)

● Oral assessment (including student presentations or other oral presentations)

● Performance assessment

● Subject examinations

- Test specifications are communicated with the student and parents. The form will be created on google
drive. (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-1tEtcqv5gKXd3E9F0p-KbGF2UWUjtl1?usp=sharing )

- Teachers Reflections / Student reflection and Assessment Reflection as an ongoing process and after
each unit of inquiry are completed.

* Watch this webinar for Getting Practical with Planning.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/311849609?utm_content=buffer12af7&utm_medium=social&utm_sour
ce=twitter.com&utm_campaign=IBlnt

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