The Four Questions and Backwards Design

Research for This Tool

This planning tool for teachers and teams combines two of the most well researched based educational planning practices: The Four Questions Essential For Learning used in schools implementing the Professional Learning Communities philosophy and Backwards Design, a planning process described by authors Wiggins and McTighe in their groundbreaking book, Understanding by Design,2005.

The Four Questions Essential for Learning:

Using these four questions for instructional planning provides the necessary framework to design instruction and interventions in order for every student to reach high levels of achievement.

1. What is it we want our students to learn?
2. How will we know if each student is learning each of the skills we have deemed most essential?
3. What will we do if they don’t learn it?
4. What if they already know it?

Backwards Design:

Backwards Design consists of three distinct planning steps:

1. Identify desired results
2. Determine the evidence of learning
3. Plan / Design Instruction

Following these steps prevents teachers from planning activities and then realizing that their lesson and assessment do not fully address or match the rigor required by the standard being taught. The graphic below illustrates the process when both the four questions and backwards design are used.