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Designing and Implementing an I-Search Unit
Under the direction of a facilitator, teams of teachers carry out an
intensive process of curriculum design. Each team begins by choosing a motivating theme
for the unit, then goes on to formulate three or four overarching concepts (like essential
questions) that reflect knowledge related to the way the theme is organized. The
theme and concepts form a sort of umbrella, under which students will identify their own
personally meaningful, researchable I-Search questions.
After teachers on the team clarify the theme and concepts, they are able
to design and coordinate a set of hands-on, experiential, immersion activities. In
brainstorming ideas, teachers push one another to ask: What will ensure
that students are fully engaged in active learning?
 View
video of a language arts teacher discussing the benefit of
designing a unit. (5.6 meg). Select D. for
descriptive text.
(Click
here to download QuickTime for Mac or Windows.)
Curriculum Design Process |
| 1. Refine Theme and Identify Overarching Concepts
2. Identify Desired Student
Outcomes Linked to Standards
3. Design Phase I Activities
- Brainstorm and evaluate activities
Plan calendar
Write up activities
4. Design Phase II Activities
- Determine criteria for read, watch, ask, and do
5. Design Phase III Activities
- Schedule library and media center
- Design processing and enrichment activities
6. Design Phase IV Activities
- Determine criteria for I-Search report; generate rubrics
- Determine criteria for exhibition; generate rubrics
- Determine plan for drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
7. Develop Building Block Activities
- Journals
- Portfolios
- Bulletin Boards
- Report Outline
8. Next Steps
- Review Plan
- Make up "to do" list
- Assemble curriculum
- Plan for further meetings
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