Chapter 7: Teaching for Understanding

The highlight of Chapter Seven of UbD/DI was the explanation of WHERETO. The WHERETO framework has seven sections with a few questions to consider for each one. The first focuses on what is being taught, why it’s worth knowing, and what evidence will show the learning. The second focuses on hooking and holding the learners’ attention. The third aims at equipping students to master standards and making learning experiences to help develop and deepen understanding. The fourth encourages learners to rethink, revise, and refine their ideas throughout their lives. The fifth point urges student self-evaluation. The sixth focuses on tailoring activities and instruction to differentiated learners. The last aspect of WHERETO is organization, or the order in which teachers address parts of instruction. The other part of the chapter that really struck me well was the rejection of the “ladder” metaphor for education.