Designing units for the secondary classroom

1. DESIGNING UNITS FOR THE SECONDARY
CLASSROOM
When sitting down to design a unit, I am always fearful that I will not create
something that will work well for my students, will cover all of my content, or will be
engaging and fun, keeping everyone motivated. To remedy that fear, I created a
checklist for unit planning that helps me cross all my Ts and dot all my Is!
1. Determine the number of days available for the unit. I usually do this
as part of my curriculum mapping for the course or year, but some adjustment
will be needed each unit if other events have interrupted the normal schedule.

2. 2. Considering the number of days available, determine the perimeters
of the unit of study. If I have more time, I may choose to lengthen a time
period or include an additional novel, but limited time may shorten my goals.
3. Address the content that I want to teach. This is NOT the same as my
standards. This is what I feel is important to help my students comprehend the
big picture I am trying to teach.
4. Match in the standards that fit the content. Do not warp lessons to fit
the standards; warp the standards to fit the lessons. Keep in mind that the
teacher is the one that best knows the content and the students, therefore the
teacher knows best!
5. Plan out the lessons that will best address the content in the time
period allowed. I love Walking Tours and Archaeology Digs, but a 2-week
unit may only have room for one interactive lesson that I want to include, even
though I have 4 available.
6. Write in daily, lesson, weekly, and unit assessments. Don't overdo
this! Remember, an assessment is simply a check on what your students know
or can do. It is NOT a test! Oral checks, notebook prompts, exit slips, and
even game play are all effective forms of assessment.
7. Add in the fun. Allow time in every unit for interactivity, cooperative
lessons, response groups, and GAMES! Keeping students engaged is the key to
keeping them out of trouble and learning.
And finally, add in something that makes the unit worth teaching for you! If you are
bored, your students will be bored. Don't allow that! Insert controversy,
debate, interesting articles, or anything else that you find worthwhile. Chances are,
your students will love the addition!