Learning from Frustration

I knew going into this year that there would be ups and downs. There is much to be learned from the downs. So what is my down? Our teachers are frustrated. They want to do well but have hit a block with UbD and are getting stuck in Stage 1. I think that they are expressing this through throwing up their hands and saying "It's too much!" This has made me really sit and think about where I want our teachers to be right now. What I concluded is that maybe we're going too far to fast for some. They are so hung up in terminology (Enduring Understandings, Essential Questions, Transfer, Meaning, Acquisition) that they are loosing site of the end goal - teaching for understanding.

So for some we're going to slow down. Let's throw out the jargon and decide one thing - what do you want students to understand at the end of this unit. Once we are successful with that we'll break it down more.  I'll let you know how it goes!