Millions of teachers worldwide use the Understanding by Design(R) (UbD) curriculum planning framework to create units of instruction that develop and deepen student learning. This quick reference guide from UbD co-creator Jay McTighe covers UbD's key tenets and three-stage "backward design" process and introduces the framework's design templates and quality standards. It also explains key vocabulary and explores essential aspects of unit construction, including - Focusing instruction and assessment on "big ideas" and essential questions; - Creating authentic performance tasks that reveal evidence of understanding; and - Designing meaningful learning events that help students acquire targeted knowledge and skills, understand important ideas, and be prepared to transfer those understandings to meet new challenges in and beyond the classroom. Featuring FAQs, indicators of success, and links to additional resources, The Fundamentals of Understanding by Design is for anyone looking to get started with UbD and for current users seeking a handy resource to keep their design work on track. 8.5" x 11" 3-panel foldout guide (6 pages), laminated for extra durability and 3-hole-punched for binder storage.