1. Authentic tasks
Instruction designed around authentic tasks helps
students become fully engaged in learning and
developing an understanding of content. Authen-
tic tasks have three key characteristics. First, theyTeaching for Understanding • 3
engage students in constructing knowledge by
integrating preexisting knowledge with new infor-
mation. Activities that promote such integration
include formulating questions, seeking information,
and synthesizing information. Second, the tasks
employed should be tailored to each content area to
help students understand major ideas. Finally, the
tasks should have real-life relevance and provide a
basis for understanding issues and problems encoun-
tered outside of school