How do you prepare for student led?

As I've been reading the curriculum information this week, I've gotten some great ideas of how to engage students and even some student projects. I'm very interested in talking to someone from Maranacook Community Middle School about the sled construction project mentioned in the TWBIA video. I agree that student buy in is essential for real learning and it happens by having the students create the curriculum. I still am hesitant to give up that control. The scenarios of passive vs. active learning (TWBIA page 62) were good examples of the difference between the two, but also pointed out that these units are entirely student led. How do teachers prepare for these types of units? I think that I would constantly feel one step ahead of the kids (and as a very organized/planned person, I would hate that!).

The video clips on curriculum were great. I can see how the hot air balloon example was teacher planned, yet student led and executed. I know that I could do that type of project, so maybe I should start there. I wonder if the students came up with that idea or if he led them to it based on his plans. I also liked the "Art Based Partnership" clip. It reminded me that while we are all thinking about thematic units, we should be including our allied arts staff and cross planning that way too. Lastly, how do you combine student passions and interests with what you "need" to teach? Do you generate a list of topics that interest the students and pick the ones that fit the stated curriculum/standards then try to fit in the other stuff if applicable within the other concepts? Through all this reading, I can't stop thinking about when quality of education will come before quantity of education. I would rather know (and prepare students to know) a lot about one topic then a little about everything.