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Fundamental Understanding

This is the central concept or understanding that you want students to internalize. Do not word this as a behavioral objective. Rather, word it as a statement of the understanding students will have as a result of the learning experiences in this unit.

For example,
  • DO NOT write: The student will be able to describe the causes of the Civil War.
  • DO write: The Civil War had many contributing causes and, in some ways, aspects of the Civil War continue today.
Note: Fundamental understandings are answers to essential questions. These questions can be used to center student learning during a unit of instruction. If you have trouble writing your fundamental understanding, think of it as the answer to an essential question.

For further information on essential questions, refer to the following websites:
Essential Questions
Framing Essential Questions