A principal purpose
Main topic or topics (e.g., World War II, reptiles, double-digit multiplication)
Concepts (e.g., integrity, the Doppler effect) that unite lessons within the unit
Essential skills to be developed
Academic goals and desired outcomes
Academic standards that directly relate to the subject area or areas
Cross-curricular connections
Methods to make the learning relevant throughout the unit
Big ideas that link to additional big ideas to increase understanding
Past learning that links to present learning and leads to future learning
An understanding of students' current knowledge
Questions to guide thinking each day and from day to day
Questions based on recurring unit ideas or themes
Clear expectations for learning of all students
