Here is an example of a standard that needs to be unpacked.
W.PS.01.01 Michigan
Develop personal style in oral, written, and visual messages in both narrative (e.g., natural language, specific action, emotion) and informational writing (e.g., sequence, specific vocabulary, visual representations).
Remember that part of unpacking a standard is determining what it is you want students to learn. The standard provides insight as to what to include in the unpacking. For the narrative writing, the standard states to develop personal style using natural language, specific action, and emotion. For informational writing, the student is expected to develop personal style in sequencing, specific vocabulary, and visual representations.
Here’s how I unpacked this piece after brainstorming with a wonderful group of first-grade teachers. If you’re like me, it helps to see the big picture of the standard – which includes the content.
Once you’ve unpacked the standard, you have a content tool to use throughout the school year. The list of actions gives you words at your fingertips you can use when talking with your first-grade students. The list of emotions does the same. In the sequence list, you’ll see starter ideas for the good things you’re already doing with your students; intentionally use sequencing words with students. As for the column that lists visual representations, remember to pull out those sequence words and use them again and again and again.
