Learning Opportunities

This session will expand our understanding of how to intentionally focus curriculum and instruction to support deeper thinking and the transfer of learning. In these highly interactive session, your mind will be challenged by contrasting a three-dimensional Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction model with the two-dimensional coverage model. You will see and discuss DVD clips of three-dimensional, Concept-Based teachers instructing students. You will learn specific, practical instructional strategies that engage the hearts and minds of students.

You will also learn answers to questions like these:

• How are knowledge and process structured and how can we utilize these structures to develop the intellect?
• How can we move to a three-dimensional curriculum and instruction model and teach knowledge, skills and concepts with greater depth and rigor?
• What is a conceptual lens and how can we use it to develop higher levels of thinking and increased motivation for learning?
• How do we write clear and powerful conceptual understandings (generalizations)?
• How can we design instruction to achieve a synergy between the lower and conceptual levels of thinking?
• How do we scaffold thinking to deeper levels?
• How do we develop Concept-Based Units of Instruction?
• How do we develop different kinds of questions to guide student inquiry from the factual to the conceptual level of understanding?
• How do we assess for deep understanding?
• What does Concept-Based Instruction “look like” “sound like” in the classroom?

Concept-Based Curricula and Instruction are not a program. Concept-Based Curriculum design ensures a high-quality product, and informs pedagogy that supports deep understanding and the transfer of learning.

Target Audience

School-based Administrators, Instructional Coaches, District Leaders/Consultants