This guide is intended to serve as an outline/checklist for planning and implementation of an instructional unit plan. It accompanies the College of Education B-K Instructional Unit Plan Rubric. The “Progress Check” column can be used for self-evaluation to ensure timely movement through the planning process and ultimate success of the unit.
1. Introduction and Overview
(Provide brief paragraphs that describe each of the topics below.)
Progress Check
1a.Statement of Topic
What is the topic/theme of this unit? Broadly explain how this unit will address 1a.______
Widely Held Expectations as described inFoundations.
1b.General Description of Unit
Give a general description of the unit, in paragraphform,that would enable the reader
to have a brief “snapshot” of the unit.1b.______
1c.Context of the Unit
Where does this unit fit in the big picture? When is it taught and why?1c.______
1d.Description of Children
Describe the children – What ages? What are the characteristics of “typical” 1d.______
children at that age? Are there exceptionalities?What are the demographics of this group?
1e.Time Allotted
How long do you anticipate this unit will take to teach? How will it be implemented1e.______
throughout the day?
1f.Role of Technology
How will technology be used in the development and/or implementation of the unit?1f.______
2. Rationale
2a.Unit Value
Why is this unit important to teach? Of what value is it to the children?2a.______
2b.Needs of Children
How does this unit meet the needs of each child? What about developmental2b.______
needs, learning styles/levels, modifications, overall class needs?
2c.Real World Concerns
How does the unit relate to real world concerns? What is the relevance to the children’s2c.______
“real world”?
2d.Unit Philosophy
How does this unit reflect your philosophy of education? Which theorist(s) is2d.______
reflected in your beliefs?
3. Broad Goals
3a.Broad Goals/Essential Questions
List no more than four general goals/essential questions. Be sure to number the3a.______
goals. Use these numbers in section 4.
3b.Domains of Development(refer to Foundations)
List unit related activities under each domain:3b.______
Approaches to Learning
Emotional and Social Development
Health and Physical Development
Language Development and Communication
Cognitive Development
4. Specific Student Outcomes
4a.Specific Daily Objective(s)
List no more than 2specific unit objectives for each day.4a.______
4b.Relate to General Goals/Essential Questions4b.______
After each daily objective, write the number(s) of the general goal(s)/essential question(s)
addressed
5. Content Analysis and Family Involvement
5a.Topics and Skills
For each day of the unit, summarize in paragraph form, the unit content/concepts5a. ______
that will be introduced and/or reviewed with the children. Include a statement in each
paragraph about the relevance to students’ lives.
5b.Family Involvement5b.______
Proposed timeline – outline your plan for family involvement with the unit
Parent contact documentation – samples of unit related parent contacts
Describe outcomes of event – How many family members attended? Was
the event successful? What would you do differently next time?
6. Instructional Strategies and Activities
Centers
6a. Overview
Matrix of center objectives and activities for each week. Include any individual modifications.6a.______
6b. Materials
Matrix of unit materials for each weekly center 6b.______
6c. Technology
Include technological resources being used in centers and/or the planning for centers6c.______
7. Assessment Methods, Evaluation and Impact on Student Learning
7a.Pre/Post Assessment
Write a brief description of how you will assess children’s prior knowledge, as well as7a.______
their knowledge of the subject matter at the conclusion of the unit. Include a reflective analysis
of pre/post assessment results.
7b.Methods of Assessment
Write a brief description of what you will look for to determine if each child has7b.______
attained each daily objective(s).
7c.Documentation 7c.______How will you document which children have attained or made progresstoward the daily
objective(s) ? (anecdotal records, photographs, charts, graphs, checklists, etc.)
8. Daily Plans
8a. Daily Plans
Label each plan Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc.8a.______
List specific daily unit objectives at the top of each daily plan(objectives from 4a)
Include transition activities.
8b. Activity Plans
Include detailed activity plans where applicable. 8b.______
8c. Daily Critique
Daily critique reflects unit activities. Site specific evidences that demonstrate the 8c.______
children are learning about the topic.
8d. Vocabulary andMaterials
Include daily unit vocabulary to be introduced and unit materials list for each day8d. ______
8e. Highlights of Student Learning
Include sketches/photographs of bulletin boards, projects, etc. with captions that reflect8e. ______
daily objectives.
9. Resources, Materials, and Bibliography
9a.Resources
Create lists for ALL technology, print, visual and human resources used in developing the9a.______
unit. (These are 4 separatelists.)
9b.Literature Selections
Include all children’s literature used in your unit.9b.______
9c.Bibliographic Form
Use standard APA bibliographic form as appropriate in 9a and 9b.9c.______
9d.Songs and Fingerplays
Words and actions for all songs and fingerplays used in the unit9d. ______
10. Unit Reflection and Evaluation
10a. Evaluation of the Unit
Unit judged by what the children have learned.Include effectiveness of technology 10a.______
integration in the unit.
10b. Unit Reflection
Reflect on what you have learned from teaching the unit. 10b.______
10c.Future Modification
Share ideas for future modification. 10c.______
10d. Feedback from children 10d.______
What activities did the children like/dislike?
11. Standard Writing Conventions
Demonstrate knowledge of standard writing conventions through correct use of:
11a.Punctuation 11a.______
11b. Capitalization 11b.______
11c.Grammar 11c.______
Additional Notes
a.Include a CT evaluation that describes strengths of the unit,a.______
age appropriateness of activities, suggestedmodifications, and other feedback.
b.Complete a self-evaluation using the Instructional Unit Plan Rubric.b.______
c.Unit is aminimum of 10 daysc.______
d.At least one activity must include technology. d.______
e.Packaged in a 3-ring binder or folder with no plastic sleeves or page protectors.e.______
f.Use dividers for each sectionf.______
g.Submit a copy on a disk to the US.g.______
Aug. 2005