1. ISSN
Task Design Template
The brainstorming interview: One hour
In pairs, for twenty/thirty minutes talk through your ideas for a task with your
partner. Your partner will scribe your thoughts and act as your critical friend.
Switch when you’ve finished.
Part One: The What of the Plan
What’s your basic idea for the task and unit?
Students will become travel agents scouting a trip for other students or international
visitors to our nation’s capital by forming expert groups to conduct pre-trip and on
trip research. They will they create a product on their return to present to next year’s
8th grade class, and something that they can share on line or with international
visitors to our school.
It addresses the following GPS domains: Look at content and global leadership POs
at this juncture and highlight those you’re working with
Investigate the World
GLPO: IW3 (Analyze, integrate, and synthesize evidence to formulate a coherent response to a
globally-focused question.)
Recognize Perspectives
GLPO: RP4 (Apply an understanding of multiple perspectives and contexts when interpreting and
communicating information about situations, events, issues, or phenomena.)
Communicate Ideas
GLPO: CI3 (Select and apply appropriate resources—technology, media, and/or world languages—to
communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.)
Take Action
It aligns with these:
State standards
It will be based on these:
Essential Questions
Why is a nation’s capitol an important place to visit? How does a nation’s capitol
reflect its identity? What would a visitor from another country find interesting and/or
important about capitol of the United States?
Enduring Understandings
Washington DC plays an important role as a symbol of our democracy, a role that is
reflected in the architecture, traditions, customs, monuments, museums, and rituals of
the city. A visitor from other parts of the US as well as from another country will learn
what American patriotism is if they have a chance to explore Washington DC.

2. Part Two: The How of the Plan
What will be the major learning experiences that will lead students to success in the
task?
See storyboard
What will be the formative assessments along the way.
See storyboard
Part Three: The final Task is:
Write out the final task—what you will hand out to students.
See storyboard
Check the task against: SAGE
Student Choice: the task offers
Students will choose area of expertise
Students will choose format for exhibition/presentation
Authentic task: professionals do this in the real world
Travel agents (and other professionals: teachers, conference planners, etc.) scout
cities for highlights and learning opportunities) and communicate this in careful and
intentional ways to a variety of audiences
Global Connection
Students are being asked to view DC through the lens of an international visitor
Washington DC is a global city
Exhibition to an authentic audience
Students will present to the upcoming 8th grade class
Students will share their presentation with an international audience via the
internet or with exchange students who come to Mathis