Understandings

**Understanding (U)**
The understandings specify what we want students to come to understand about the big ideas. The Big Ideas are based on the transferable big ideas that give the content meaning and connect the facts and skills. What big ideas are worthy of understanding and implied in the goals (e.g., content standards, curriculum objectives)? What “enduring” understandings are desired? • Involves the Big Ideas that give meaning and importance to facts. **(So you can create new knowledge)** • Can transfer to other topics, fields, and adult life. **(Making connections)** • Is usually not obvious, often counterintuitive, and easily misunderstood. **(Must be uncovered, and not just covered)** • May provide a conceptual foundation for the basic skills. **(Extend skills to new situation and discipline)** • Is deliberately framed as a generalization – the “ moral of the story.” **(Insights gained from the study)**