The document provides an overview of Understanding by Design (UbD), a framework for curriculum design and instruction created by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe. The key principles of UbD are: 1) It is focused on developing student understanding rather than merely covering content, with the end goal being that students can transfer their learning. 2) Planning curriculum should start with the desired results - such as desired understandings, essential questions, and skills - rather than starting with the content materials. 3) UbD requires shifting the focus from teaching content mastery to helping students learn how to use content. The curriculum emphasizes "big ideas" that connect facts and skills rather than presenting them discret