E S S E N T I A L Q U E S T I O N S & E N D U R I N G U N D E R S TA N D I N G

UNDERSTANDING BY DESIGNTRAINING MODULE #2

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS & ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

• This training module is based on the works of Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins’ Understanding by Design.

• This module was built by AISD to support Understanding by Design concepts in the classroom.

• AISD Curriculum documents such as Yearly Itineraries and Curriculum Road Maps are written in the UbD Framework Design.

• At the end of the training, you will need to complete an Online Assessment to get credit for completing the module.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS & ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

• Goals for this module:• Understand what a “Big Idea” is.• Understand how Essential Questions reflect key

questions, focus the learning unit, and prioritize learning.

• Recognize what an understanding is.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS & ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

Big Ideas

BIG IDEAS

What is a Big Idea?

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Move your mouse pointer over the letters to learn more about BIG IDEAS

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Unifying concepts (the modern “flat”

world of interdependence)

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Organizing themes (love conquers all)

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Key strategies and rules of thumb (turn complex quantities into the more familiar and simple to work with via mathematical equivalences)

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Dilemmas (we simplify reality in math and science models – with some loss and possible oversight of important detail)

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Striking paradox (poverty amid plenty)

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Endless debates or issues (nature versus nurture)

BIG IDEAS

B I GI D E A

Persistent problems or challenges (global warming)

Click to continue

BIG IDEAS

• Can you find the “Big Ideas” in this unit? Write them in the box.

Move the mouse over the image to view a larger version. Click the image to return to this slide.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS & ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

Essential Questions

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What is an Essential Question?

How did (any event) cause (any event) to happen?

CLICK AND DRAG THE QUESTION TO THE CORRECT COLUMN.

Non-Essential Question:

Essential Questions:

What are the elements of a story?

How does the body turn food into energy?

Why does the future tense matter?

Why is it important to be healthy?

What makes a good story?

How much does grammar matter?

Why is food important for the human body?

AND HERE ARE THE ANSWERS. HOW DID YOU DO?

Non-Essential Question:

Essential Questions:

How did (any event) cause (any event) to happen?

Why is food important for the human body?

How much does grammar matter?

What makes a good story?

Why is it important to be healthy?

Why does the future tense matter?

How does the body turn food into energy?

What are the elements of a story?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

A question is Essential if…It makes students

reflect and extend their

thinking

People encounter

the question in their

daily lives

It can be argued

It has different

but acceptable responses

It is worth asking again and again

Can be revisited

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS IN THE CRM

Essential Questions

Enduring Understanding

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

What is an Enduring

Understanding?

CLICK AND MOVE THE ENDURING UNDERSTANDING UNDER THE CORRECT HEADING

Enduring Understanding

The student will understand that…

Not Enduring Understanding

The student will understand…Statistical analysis and data display often reveal patterns that may not be obvious.

The most efficient and effective stroke mechanics in swimming involve pushing the maximum amount of water directly backward.

In a free-market economy, price is a function of supply and demand.

The price of long-distance phone calls has declined during the past decade.

True friendship is revealed during difficult times, not happy times.

Wind is a force of nature.

True friendship.

AND THE ANSWERS ARE?HOW DID YOU DO?

Enduring Understanding

The student will understand that…

Not Enduring Understanding

The student will understand…

Statistical analysis and data display often reveal patterns that may not be obvious.

The most efficient and effective stroke mechanics in swimming involve pushing the maximum amount of water directly backward.

In a free-market economy, price is a function of supply and demand.

True friendship is revealed during difficult times, not happy times.

The price of long-distance phone calls has declined during the past decade.

Wind is a force of nature.

True friendship.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

• Is this an Understanding?

• I want students to understand the Civil War.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS & ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

Enduring Understanding

Essential Questions

REFERENCES

Wiggins, Grant, and Jay McTighe. The Understanding by Design Guide to Creating High-Quality Units. Alexandria: ASCD, 2011. Print.