Understanding by Design

Backward Design is establishing an end goal first before determining the type of instruction and assessments you are going to use. Your end goal for your students should be a critical thinking goal. If you are teaching your students about the three branches of the government you want your end goal to have a deeper meaning other than just "recalling what the three branches of government are." You want them to be able to apply what they have learned to real life. Once the end goal is established you design by the outcomes you want. You develop your assessments and instruction towards your end goal.