2. What is Backward Design?
To begin with the end in mind means to start
with a clear understanding of your
destination. It means to know where you’re
going so that you better understand where
you are now so that the steps you take are
always in the right direction.
--Stephen R. Covey
3. What is Backward Design?
Backward design is essentially starting
at the end and working backwards.
It encompasses deciding what your
targeted goal is and then working
backward to achieve success.
4. Ralph Tyler described backward design about
50 years ago…
“Educational objectives become the criteria
by which materials are selected, content is
outlined and examinations are
prepared…The purpose of a statement of
objectives is to indicate the kinds of changes
in the student to be brought about so that
instructional activities can be planned and
developed in a way likely to attain these
objectives.”
5. Backward Design Essentials
The backward design approach has been noted
for being useful in helping teachers to design
curriculum to best meet students’ needs
The approach can be used across grade levels,
students with disabilities, and across content
areas
The teacher needs to ask themselves how
they will get to the end result
6. How to implement backward
design…
Teachers need to be aware of the
difference between student knowledge
and how students best understand
When teachers begin this process they
must plan carefully
Teachers need to ultimately keep the
students’ needs at the heart of the
curriculum design
7. Teachers need to follow the following guidelines
when implementing backward design…
Identify Learners
Identify Curricular Priorities
Design Assessment Framework
Create Learning Activities
8. Step 1: Identify Learners
Identify classroom needs
– Disabilities
– Low-to-mid income families
– Inclusive classroom students
Identify individual student needs
– Students that best learn in small group, with
repetition, hands-on, who require positive
encouragement
9. Step 2: Identify Curricular
Priorities
Determine state
standards
Create essential
questions
Identify prerequisite
skills and knowledge
10. Step 3: Design Assessment
Framework
Performance tasks
or projects
Oral or written
prompts
Quizzes or tests
Informal
assessments
11. Step 4: Create Learning
Activities
Design sequence
and learning
activities
Check for
integration of
accommodations
– Small group activities
– Mini-lessons
– Visuals
12. Throughout the process
teachers need to…
Scaffold and create a learning environment in
which the students can be successful
Design the curriculum with the purpose that
students will be able to utilize schema
Through the design of the curriculum find
ways to best meet the needs of all students
13. References
Childre, A., Sands, J., & Pope, S. (2009).
Backward design. Teaching Exceptional
Children, 41(5), 6-14.
Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (1998).
Understanding by design. Alexandria, VA:
Merrill Prentice Hall.
