California Partnership Academy Educating for Careers Conference
2012 Developing Integrated Curriculum Units Through Backwards
Planning Dr. Kami Dexter February 14 th, 2011 Convention Center
Room 313 1:15pm-2:30pm
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o NAME___________________________ o POSITION
________________________ o INDUSTRY SECTOR _________________ o
EXPERIENCE WITH CURRICULUM INTEGRATION _____________________
WELCOME 1:15: Integrated Curriculum Description 1:30: Design: Ideal
vs. Challenges 1:45: Backwards Planning/Industry Sectors 2:00:
Q&A/Outlining Units 2:15: Sharing samples
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INTEGRATED CURRICULUM: An instructional method and materials
for multidisciplinary teams of teachers to organize their
instruction so that students are encouraged to make meaningful
connections across subject areas. English, mathematics, science,
social studies, and career technical teachers all collaborate to
plan and present lessons that center around a central, career
themed issue or problem.
IDEAL All students travel together across all course subjects
Extra instructional time and access is available for project-based
learning Each subject teacher is a member of the
academy/instructional team LESS THAN IDEAL Students are in
different math and science classes Instructional time is limited
Not all teachers are on board
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Good Eats Crime Scene Investigation Green Design -One entire
year -Lessons can be done throughout the year -All academy-based
classes
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Start with a manageable amount of time Determine length of time
required for final project completion and build backwards to
determine each necessarylesson prior to project Include less
subjects in integration Certain pathways lend themselves to certain
subjects (Science is very easily integrated with Health/Nutrition/
Biomedical careers; Social Studies and ELA are more easily
connected to Arts, Media, and Entertainment Have alternate final
projects for students not in CTE course Depending on your academy
or instructional model, all students may or may not be able to
complete final project together in one course
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1.Start with a project Identify a learning outcome specific to
your industry sector Connect an essential driving question to the
final project (ex: Social Justice PSA: How has the media been
involved in shaping issues of social justice? *Determine course
(CTE?) for project completion and all teachers involved will
participate in assessment 2.Build backwards What foundation
knowledge would inform the creation of that project? Create subunit
outline for each subject Identify connections to final project
Creating Integrated Curriculum Units through Backwards
Planning
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SAMPLE FINAL PROJECTS o Agriculture & Natural Resources:
Present school garden proposal o Arts, Media & Entertainment:
Create persuasive social justice PSA o Building Trades and
Construction: Design and construct class storage areas o Education,
Child Dev. &Family Services: Develop after school program o
Energy & Utilities: Evaluate current practices at school site
& present findings o Engineering & Design: Design
LEED-certified add-on to school site o Fashion and Interior Design:
Create line of clothing /home furnishings o Finance & Business:
Develop and manage community or school-based company o Health
Science & Medical Technology: Create healthy eating school
campaign o Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation: Create and sell
community vacation o Information Technology: Develop consulting
group to assess school lab
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http://www.ctemathlessons.com/ Occupational Area: Agriculture
CTE Concept(s): Supply and Demand of Ag Products Math Concepts:
Linear equations Occupational Area: Health Sciences CTE Concept(s):
CPR Math Concepts: Right triangles Occupational Area: Nutrition and
Food CTE Concept(s): Digestion and Nutrition in Meals Math
Concepts: Use line and x-, y- graphs to analyze meals Occupational
Area: Culinary Arts CTE Concepts: Weights and measures Math
Concepts: Linear equations with one and two variables
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Share your sample unit and describe: Industry Sector/CTE focus?
Final project? All subjects in unit? QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
[email protected] http://www.ucop.edu/ucci/ If youre
interested, see above- great opportunity!