10 PLAN A PLAYGROUND
Understanding by Design®
Stage 2 – Evidence
Code Evaluative Criteria Performance Tasks
Writing, Speaking
and Listening,
Language, and
Reading
Informational Texts
Clear topic with
supporting facts,
definitions and details
Command of grade-
appropriate conventions
and writing traits
Effective collaboration
and participation
Accurate use of
resources cited
Students will show their learning by…
IndividualEach student conducts a survey about playground preferences. They use
this information to develop an opinion-based playground proposal by researching
types of playground equipment, costs, health and safety information, and the steps in
planning a playground. Each student will write one opinion statement based on the
research they have collected.
Project TeamEach team will create a slide-supported presentation for their peer
group. Each presentation will contain information about the type of playground
proposed, the equipment that will be used, cost, health and safety information, and
the steps to creating this playground. Each team member will have a role in the
presentation. Project teams will observe the other teams’ presentations and then
discuss the most convincing reasons to build a playground.
Other Evidence
• Each student will develop a Project Portfolio containing: Project Information Sheet, Project
Action Plan, Multi-Tab Foldable® with academic vocabulary terms, Research Log, Research
Organizer, Playground Survey, Playground Plan Chart, Playground Map, presentation slides
and playground proposal, reflecting writings, and Assessment Guides.
• Academic vocabulary review: whole-class, teacher-moderated activity
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Established Goals Transfer
Standards for English
Language Arts
• Writing
• Speaking and Listening
• Language
• Reading: Informational Text
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
Project Specific Skills:
• Research types of playground equipment, costs, health and safety information, and the steps to
planning a playground.
• Create a proposal for a playground based on class survey information and research.
• Create a slide presentation supported by visual information to share opinions.
SRA FLEX Literacy™ Project Experience Skills:
• Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
• Write an opinion-based proposal to support a point of view with reasons and information.
• Use the writing process and traits of writing to develop and strengthen writing.
• Use technology to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
Meaning
UNDERSTANDINGS ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Students will understand that…
• Play is important for health and wellness.
• Safety information should always be considered
when deciding what type of playground is right
for a community.
• Surveys can help people gather information and
understand multiple points of view.
• Planning is important for creating a successful
proposal.
• Opinion writing uses facts and details to support
an opinion.
Students will keep considering…
1. Why is it important to play?
2. Why is safety important?
3. Why is it important to conduct research before
making a proposal?
4. How can adding visuals to a presentation make
your points clearer and more convincing?
Acquisition
Students will know…
• Academic vocabulary terms: budget, design,
equipment, estimate, persuade, proposal,
safety, survey.
• Why play is important for health and wellness.
• Different types of playgrounds and safety
information associated with them.
• Characteristics of opinion writing.
Students will be skilled at…
• Creating and conducting surveys and analyzing
the results.
• Using technology to gather and evaluate
research related to a topic.
• Using research to support writing
about opinions.
• Developing an opinion-based slide presentation
supported by visual information.