Secondary Science

Description: Participants will be introduced to the key ideas of UDL and modify an existing 3^rd quarter lesson to include UDL activities in order to reach all learners.  Each lesson should also address Common Core and Science Framework Standards.

The central practical premise of UDL is that a curriculum should include alternatives to make it accessible and appropriate for individuals with different backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disabilities in widely varied learning contexts. The “universal” in universal design does not imply one optimal solution for everyone. Rather it reflects an awareness of the unique nature of each learner and the need to accommodate differences, creating learning experiences that suit the learner and maximize his or her ability to progress.

UDL provides a framework that helps teachers differentiate their instruction through carefully articulated goals and individualized materials, methods, and assessments.

Activity #1: Introduction to UDL 

To download the PPT, please select this link: UDL Intro_Science_Feb 2012

To watch the presentation, view the video below. Please use the pause button to stop the video when you want to read a slide, it will auto-progress.

To learn more about UDL, select these links:
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/whatisudl

To learn more about the UDL Principle 1, UDL Principle 2, UDL Principle 3, Guidelines and the resources for each, select the links above or below.
NOTE: If you select any of the Checkpoints, you’ll get more information and an icon that says Checkpoint #: View examples and resources.

http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/resources
Activity #2: Lesson Modification
The central practical premise of UDL is that a curriculum should include alternatives to make it accessible and appropriate for individuals with different backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disabilities in widely varied learning contexts. The “universal” in universal design does not imply one optimal solution for everyone. Rather it reflects an awareness of the unique nature of each learner and the need to accommodate differences, creating learning experiences that suit the learner and maximize his or her ability to progress. UDL provides a framework that helps teachers differentiate their instruction through carefully articulated goals and individualized materials, methods, and assessments.

Select this link for more information about how to redesign lessons using UDL.
Select this link for more information about how Blooms Taxonomy and Collaborative Online Tools can be used.
To explore the UDL principles and checkpoints, download the UDL_Checklist. You may access the checkpoint svia this checklist or via this site: http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

View a science teacher and her view of teaching science after learning about UDL

Additional Resources
Common Core Literacy Standards: http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/english-language-arts-standards/writing-hst/grades-9-10/
Mathematics Practices: http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics/introduction/standards-for-mathematical-practice/
Science Framework: http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13165&utm_source=WID%9814023613020120203112332&utm_medium=Widgetv3&utm_content=13165&utm_ca

  Activity #3: Share out/Wrap-up
Group Discussion/Reflection

• What additional resources/information do I need to get a better understanding of UDL?
• How could UDL be used to address Common Core Literacy Standards? Math Standards? Science Framework?