Chapter 3: What Really Matters in Learning (Content)

Chapter three of Tomlinson and McTighe’s Understanding by Design discussed the struggle of teachers to know what content to cover when they are flooded with expectations. The major part that shocked me was the study done showing students would need nine more years of school to cover all the standards of an average state curriculum. It seems that administrators and politicians do not understand that they need to remove some requirements if they are going to add more. Another major part of this chapter that will be helpful was the discussion of planning for assessment. This will be important for me and my students so we are not stuck covering the same materials if the class already understands the material. Assessment is one of my major concerns; in math it is important to make sure you are in tune with the progress and speed of the class.