An Overview of the TfU Framework

The Teaching for Understanding framework links “four cornerstones of pedagogy” with four elements of planning and instruction.


                     Four Central Questions about Teaching                                                         TfU Element Addressing Each Question


                       1. What shall we teach?                                                           1. Generative Topics                


                            2. What is worth understanding?                                              2. Understanding Goals


                            3. How shall we teach for understanding?                                3. Understanding Performances


                            4. How can students and teachers know                                   4. Ongoing Assessment
                                what students understand and 
                                how students can develop deeper understanding?

(From Selection from The Project Zero Classroom: New Approaches to Thinking and Understanding and The Project Zero Classroom:Views on Understanding, Ⓒ1997 and renewed 1999, 2007 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College on behalf of Project Zero)