Plan a Unit
Each K-4th grade unit comes with lessons and other resources to help you plan a cohesive unit of instruction.
Learn about the resources available for units:
Here are the steps to plan a unit:
Step 1 - Read all the learning outcomes for the unit for your grade.
Step 2 - Identify prerequisite skills necessary for meeting the learning outcomes in the unit. For example, if one of the learning outcomes in a unit is to "identify changes in the setting", students should be able to identify setting in a story before beginning the unit.
Step 3 - Pre-assess students readiness for beginning the unit at their grade level by assessing prerequisite skills identified in step 2. This can be done using:
- read-aloud books - ask questions targeted toward the prerequisite skills for the unit.
- reading passages - modify questions to target prerequisite skills for the unit.
- independent practices from previous grades' units.
- extension activities provided in the units.
If your students are ready for the unit on their grade level:
Step 4a - Read the lessons in the unit for your grade. Consider your class schedule and how much time you have to teach the lessons as you pace the lessons provided in the unit. Lessons may be taught over multiple sessions.
If your students are not ready for the unit on their grade level:
Step 4b - Identify lessons from previous grades that will better prepare students for the lessons at their grade level. Consider your class schedule and how much time you have to teach the lessons as you pace lessons provided in the unit. Lessons may be taught over multiple sessions.
- Limit lessons to only those addressing prerequisite skills necessary to support the grade level unit.
- Ensure that lessons flow from one to another in a logical order.
Step 5 - Build in time in your schedule for re-teaching lessons if students do not master the learning outcomes or for extending lessons if students are ready to go beyond the learning outcomes.
Step 6 - Post Assessment - Assess student mastery of all the learning outcomes taught in the unit. This can be done by:
- merging all the lessons' independent practice activities from the unit into one culminating assessment.
- using a concept-based reading passage with multiple choice questions.
- using extension ideas and activities from the unit.
