UbD Chapter 3

       This chapter explored the idea of backwards designing of unit and lesson plans. It states the importance of having specific goals in mind before designing the plan. It also stresses the importance of "essential questions" and "big ideas" in the area of study. Since often teachers are asked to teach a large subject area in a short amount of time, it is helpful if the teachers focus on the essential areas of that subject, an to infuse the idea of the more essential questions in the students minds. Along with these "big ideas" there needs to be companion questions, questions that can apply to other areas in that subject, not just the specific example used.
      This chapter has no only helped me look at our own Backwards Design assignment differently, but taught me the importance of it. In order to teach a class of students efficiently, a plan is needed. Not only a plan, but a plan that looks at exactly what needs to be accomplished an learned by the students, along with how to assess the students learning in a fair way that applies to all of the students different intelligences. When pressed for time in my future classroom I will work to impart the "big idea" upon my students in the most universally designed way that my teaching ability can provide.