Standards-based Units of Study provide comprehensive learning opportunities for students. Using standards, (e.g., Kentucky's Academic Expectations, Program of Studies, and Core Content for Assessment), as the basis for a unit focuses planning on meaningful and relevant concepts. The unit plan, in turn, enhances the delivery of instruction and assessment.
Why should I use Standards-Based Units of Study?
Because they:
Ensure that instruction is directed at Kentucky's standards (Academic Expectations, Program of Studies, Core Content). Create an engaging learning experience for students emphasizing students' thinking, application of learning and connecting learning to their lives. Allow for an organized plan to guide instruction and assessment. Focus on what is most important for students to know and be able to do to help them in their lives and with career planning. Designate activities that will prepare students for Kentucky's assessment. Embed a variety of experiences in reading and writing in units across the curriculum and grade levels. Address ways to meet students' needs that are diversified, authentic, and aligned with standards. Identify appropriate resources for learning, including technology. [Adapted from materials provided by Dr. Charles Whitaker, EKU]
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has recently revised the Attributes of a Unit of Study that reflect the bulleted items above. The Attributes can be used to assist in designing, reviewing, and revising standards based units of study.
Additionally, new standards-based unit of study templates are available for use. Each template is accompanied by a "how-to" PowerPoint presentation that contains useful resources in developing standards-based instruction.
Kentucky educators have developed the model standards based units of study included on this site. The model units on this site should be reviewed, revised and adapted to meet the individual needs of students in a classroom. Units included on this site are either directly connected to a curriculum map that is posted on Teaching Tools or exemplify one or more of KDE's Attributes of a Standards Based Unit of Study.
Recently we have added lessons using a new resource KET EncycloMedia. To learn more about it, click here.
To view Units of Study created by Kentucky's Math and Science Partnerships, click here.