Understanding by Design Guide Set (2 Books)

This 2-book set with downloadable resources offers modules on how to create curriculum units and assessments that focus on developing students' understanding of important ideas.

The Understanding by Design Guide to Creating High-Quality Units offers instructional modules on the basic concepts and elements of Understanding by Design (UbD), the "backward design" approach used by thousands of educators to create curriculum units and assessments that focus on developing students understanding of important ideas. The eight modules are organized around the UbD Template Version 2.0 and feature components similar to what is typically provided in a UbD design workshop, including discussion and explanation of key ideas in the module; guiding exercises, worksheets, and design tips; examples of unit designs; review criteria with prompts for self-assessment; and a list of resources for further information. Unit creation, planning, and adaptation are easier than ever with the accompanying downloadable resources, including the UbD template set up as a fillable PDF form, additional worksheets, examples, and FAQs about the module topics that speak to UbD novices and veterans alike.

The Understanding by Design Guide to Advanced Concepts in Creating and Reviewing Units offers instructional modules on how to refine units created using Understanding by Design (UbD) and how to effectively review the units using self-assessment and peer review, along with observation and supervision. The Guide builds on The Understanding by Design Guide to Creating High-Quality Units, and it presents the following components for each module: narrative discussion of key ideas in the module; exercises, worksheets, and design tips; examples of unit designs; review criteria for self- and peer assessment; and references for further information. Additional resources, including worksheets, examples, and FAQs, are available as downloadable forms (including fillable UbD templates that can be saved electronically), making it easy for UbD practitioners to advance their understanding and their ability to create curriculum that leads to deep, meaningful learning.