Examples of the Big Ideas Assignment Course participants gave permission to share.
NOTE: The examples are listed from the youngest to the oldest grade level.
Rachael Piggott
1st Grade Big Ideas

Language Arts Reading Standard, Foundational Skills: Phonics and Word Recognition
Big Ideas
1. The sounds of language are represented by individual letters or combinations of
letters.
1st.3.a.
2. Many words can be sounded out, some words can't be sounded out.
1st.3.b.g.e.

Social Emotional Learning Standards, Early Elementary, Goal 2
Big Ideas
1. Every person may have different feelings about a situation.
2A.1a.
2. We can understand other people's feelings by listening to how they say they feel.
2A.1b.
Amanda Thies
Big Ideas
1) Plants have a life cycle
a. WIDA Standard: Identify change according to stages of processes or
cycles using words or phrases (Science-Writing)
b. State Standard: 12 A. Know and apply concepts that explain how living
things function, adapt and change.
2) Animals have different attributes that help them survive
a. WIDA Standard: Sort living organisms according to descriptions of their
attributes using pictures and phrases with graphic organizers (ReadingScience)
b. State Standard 12 A. Know and apply concepts that describe how living
things interact with each other and their environment
3) Earth’s natural resources vary based on location
a. WIDA Standard: Match labeled pictures representing earth materials with
vocabulary (Reading-Science)
b. State Standard: 12 E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features
and processes of the Earth and its resources.
4) Weather changes based on location in the world
a. WIDA Standard: Describe weather conditions from photographs or
illustrations (Speaking- Science)
b. State Standard 12 E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features
and processes of the Earth and its resources.
Mary Laird
4 Big Ideas
Assignment: Part of the goal of this course is to familiarize teachers with the concept of
teaching from “Big Ideas,” to help focus instruction. Based on the examples in
handouts, create a list of 4 big ideas for two units that you are/will teach in your
classroom. These could be the basis for further lesson planning for your final project.
Indicate the Illinois Learning Standard that each Big Idea addresses.
I have selected big ideas included in the Social Studies Curriculum for 3 rd Grade in
Lombard District 44.
Geography

The surface of the earth is made up of different landforms.
o District Curriculum – Study continents, bodies of water and landforms.
o Illinois State Standards - 17.A.2a Compare the physical characteristics of
places including soils, land forms, vegetation, wildlife, climate, natural
hazards.

Maps graphically represent the form and features of a location.
o District Curriculum – Learn to use maps and globes.
o Illinois State Standards - 17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic
representations and instruments to gather information about people,
places and environments.
Citizenship and Economics

Communities are developed based on the needs of the citizens.
o District Curriculum – Study how local pioneers mad a living and how they
traded with the Native Americans.
o District Curriculum – Describe what life was like for the explorers who
came to America.
o Illinois State Standards – 18C. Understand how social systems form and
develop over time. 18.C.2 Describe how changes in production (e.g.,
hunting and gathering, agricultural, industrial) and population caused
changes in social systems.

Consumer choices are made up of needs and wants.
o District Curriculum – Understand what criteria are used to make
consumer choices.
o Illinois State Standards - 15.A.2a Explain how economic systems decide
what goods and services are produced, how they are produced and who
consumes them.
o Illinois State Standards - 15.B.2a Identify factors that affect how
consumers make their choices.
o Illinois State Standards - 15.B.2c Explain that when a choice is made,
something else is given up.
Scott Studinger
BIG IDEAS
Number and Operations—Fractions 5.NF
Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.
1. Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed
numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in
such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions
with like denominators. For example, 2/3 + 5/4 = 8/12 + 15/12 = 23/12. (In
general, a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd.)
2. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions
referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators,
e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the
problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions
to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For
example, recognize an incorrect result 2/5 + 1/2 = 3/7, by observing that
3/7 < 1/2.
Big Ideas:
Fractions can be written in different ways to show they are equivalent.
In order to add or subtract fractions the denominators of both fractions need to be the
same.
STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society,
with an emphasis on the United States.
B. Analyze and explain characteristics and interactions of the Earth’s physical systems.
17.B.2a Describe how physical and human processes shape spatial patterns including
erosion, agriculture and settlement.
17.B.2b Explain how physical and living components interact in a variety of ecosystems
including desert, prairie, flood plain, forest, tundra.
Big Ideas:
Ecosystems can be affected by a variety of factors.
Living things interact with other living and non-living things in ecosystems
Jennifer Watford
Four Big Ideas
Class –
grade Reading/Humanities – Ancient Civilizations
Unit – Prehistory and Farming
Big Idea #1) People use a variety of resources and tools to meet their needs.
This connects to Illinois State Standard 17.C.3b – Explain how patterns of resources are
used throughout the world.
6th
Big Idea #2) People develop and follow different geographic patterns when searching for
food.
This connects to Illinois State Standard 17.C.3a – Explain how human activity is affected
by geographic factors, and 17.D.3a – Explain how and why spatial patterns of settlement
change over time.
Class – 8th grade Resource class
Unit – Study Strategies for School Success
Big Idea #3) There are a variety of strategies used to help people study effectively for
tests.
This connects to Illinois State Standard 3B.3a – Analyze how decision-making skills
improve study habits and academic performance.
Big Idea #4) Advocating for your academic and social needs is an important part of
school success.
This connects to Illinois State Standard 1B.3b – Analyze how making use of school and
community supports and opportunities can contribute to school and life success.
Lynda Riggs
5th grade
4 Big Ideas
2 for my Moving West unit –
*Economic needs lead people to move.
*Movement of people may have a positive or negative impact on people
Illinois Learning Standards
16.D.2b Describe the ways in which participation in the westward movement
affected families and communities.
17.C.2b Describe the relationships among location of resources, population
distribution and economic activities.
2 for my Civil War unit –
*A person’s beliefs and values influence their actions.
*Differing perspectives impact decisions, events, or society.
Illinois Learning Standards
14.D.2 Explain ways that individuals and groups influence and shape public
policy.
16.D.2c Describe the influence of key individuals and groups in the historical
eras of Illinois and the United States.
17.C.2b Describe the relationships among location of resources, population
distribution and economic activities.
Christa Gatsakos
Four ‘Big Ideas’
English
1. Comprehension requires and enhances critical thinking and is constructed
through the intentional interaction between reader and text. 2.A.
2. Information to gain or expand knowledge can be acquired through a variety of
sources.
5.A, 5.B., 5.C.
Social Emotional Learning
3. Promoting one’s own health, avoiding risky behaviors, and dealing honestly and
fairly with others, are essential to citizenship in a democratic society.
3.A.,
3.B.
4. Variety of skills and attitudes provide a strong foundation for achieving school
and life success. 1.A., 1.B., 1.C.
Christina Mellen
Big Ideas: Earth
State Standard 12E: Know and apply concepts that describe the features and
processes of the Earth and its resources.
12.E.1c Identify renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
12.E.2c Identify and classify recyclable materials.
Big Idea: The Earth is made up of natural resources that are both renewable and
nonrenewable.
State Standard 13B: Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between
science, technology and society.
13.B.2f Analyze how specific personal and societal choices that humans make affect
local, regional and global ecosystems.
Big Idea: The way in which humans use resources can have a positive or negative impact
on the environment.
Big Ideas: Force and Motion
State Standard 12D: Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the
principles that explain them.
12.D.1b Identify observable forces in nature (e.g., pushes, pulls, gravity, magnetism).
12.D.2b Demonstrate and explain ways that forces cause actions and reactions
Big Idea: Motion, or lack of motion, cannot change without an acting force.
State Standard 12D: Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the
principles that explain them.
12.D.1b Identify observable forces in nature (e.g., pushes, pulls, gravity, magnetism).
12.D.2b Demonstrate and explain ways that forces cause actions and reactions
Big Idea: Gravity, the force that pulls objects to the Earth, affects all objects in the same
way.