Concept Based
Learning
December 11, 2013 Social Studies
ERPD
Goals of this session
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We will…
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Generally understand what CBL is
Generally know how to grasp CBL so to use it in
our unit planning and pacing
Begin to implement CBL into our own lessons /
units we have with us today
Know where to find other helpful resources to
further understand CBL
What is CBL?
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“Concept based learning is about big transferable
ideas that transcend time, place, situation.”
“Content just focuses on facts while concept
focuses on making sense of those facts and the
world around us.”
“We can’t possibly teach everything that is
important, but we can teach the big
ideas…content can change, concepts stay the
same.”
“Information is useless unless you can do
something with it.”
What is CBL?
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What must be present to qualify a concept;
a concept is…
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Timeless
Universal
Transferable
Abstract and Broad (to various degrees)
Examples show common attributes
Can be represented by 1 or 2 words
Why use CBL?
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Traditional Classroom:
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Teaching to facts and topics
Teacher centered
Little to no Inquiry
Teaching uses no concepts or uses concepts as
vocabulary words
Conceptual Classroom:
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Teaching to “big ideas”
Student Centered
Teaching using concepts as part of relationships and
transferrable ideas
How to identify concepts; concept vs.
fact
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With a group of people
close to you, discuss the
terms and determine
whether they are or are
not concepts.
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Nomads
Hunters and Gatherers
Revolution
Pre-historic Civilization
Community
Environment
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Needs and Wants
Migration
System
Movement
Computer Age
Civil War
Agriculture
Government
Citizenship
Agricultural Revolution
Five Themes of Geography
Students can make Generalizations
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At the successful conclusion of teaching a
CBL or unit, students should be able to make
generalizations which link concepts together
demonstrating their proficiency
Example:
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“War may alter the physical and human geography
of a place”
Common Question: What about
content?
Using The Concepts and the Standard, Create
Some Generalizations On The Index Cards In
Front Of You.
6.G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement
of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that
movement on societies and regions over time (e.g.,
scarcity of resources, conquests, desire for wealth,
disease and trade).
Place
Politics
Resources
Freedom
Exchange
Responsibilities
Reform
Regions
Religion
Change
Trade
Expansion
Conquest
Compromise
Culture
Reaction
Scarcity
Location
Power
Diversity
Rights
Revolution
Community
War
Independent Work and Resources
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For the remainder of our session we will use any
lessons we have and experiment with how to adapt
them to CBL
Resources to consult:
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The following link takes you to the site I used in this
presentation, it is also what DPI used in the PD session I
attended in October
http://ssnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/2013+Social+Studies+F
all+RESA+-+Region+6
This is a six minute YouTube presentation which explains
more on what we’ve explored today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8fKU9LZ2kw&safe=acti
ve