Understanding by Design (UbD) Guide

Understanding by Design (UbD) is a curricular planning approach that emphasizes starting with clear learning goals before designing lessons. It encourages educators to identify what students should understand and be able to do by the end of a unit, then plan assessments to measure understanding and instructional activities that support those goals. This backward planning ensures that teaching is focused on meaningful comprehension and skills, rather than just memorizing facts. UbD helps create cohesive, purposeful learning experiences that deepen students’ understanding and application of knowledge in real-world contexts.