Integrating Teaching and Learning: “Timeless Essentials” for Creating Integrated Units of Study, Volume 1

by Larry Ainsworth

Integrating Teaching and "Timeless Essentials" for Creating Integrated Units of Study is a unique series with indispensable elements educators are successfully using to create new units of study or to enrich existing units that fully integrate their instruction with their students' learning.

Volume One in this series presents the first set of "timeless essentials" that are fully described and illustrated with numerous educator-created examples and A.I.-generated examples, along with guidance on how best to utilize these essential elements. You will learn straightforward, practical ways to simplify and clarify the often-complex process of identifying and aligning Essential Standards, PK-12, and how to "unwrap" Essential Standards for teacher clarity, write learning targets and success criteria for student clarity, and compose teacher-created and student-worded Big Ideas as the foundations for quality units of study.

Each chapter of the Integrated Teaching and Learning System© begins with the "what" and "why" of the individual element in focus, illustrated with content-specific, grade-level and/or course-level examples. Relevant research from prominent educational thought leaders adds support to the practical value of the various elements. Educators can experience the step-by-step ITLS design process firsthand by applying it to a unit of their choice, individually and/or collaboratively with colleagues. Through this direct engagement, they can determine for themselves the efficacy of this multi-step process for positively impacting their instruction and resultant students' learning.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Larry Ainsworth is the author or co-author of more than 20 books, including his most popular titles: Rigorous Curriculum Design; Common Formative Assessments 2.0; Prioritizing Common Core State Standards; Power Standards; “Unwrapping” Common Core State Standards, and “Unwrapping” the Standards.

Larry’s comprehensive new book series, Integrating Teaching and Learning: “Timeless Essentials” for Creating Integrated Units of Study (2024), explains and illustrates in detail how PK-12 educators can develop quality units of study that intentionally align standards, assessments, instruction, and data analysis to positively impact student learning.

Currently an independent author-consultant, Larry served as the Executive Director of Professional Development at The Leadership and Learning Center in Englewood, Colorado, from 1999 to 2013. He traveled nationally and internationally to assist school systems in implementing best practices related to standards, assessment, curriculum, and instruction across all grades and content areas. Throughout his career as an education consultant, Larry has delivered keynote addresses and breakout sessions across North America and in Argentina and Switzerland, and regularly worked on-site and virtually to assist leaders and educators in understanding and implementing “timeless” education practices in all content areas, pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Drawing upon 24 years of experience as an upper elementary and middle school classroom teacher in demographically diverse schools in several U.S. states, Larry brings a varied background and wide range of professional experiences to each of his presentations.