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