Book excerpt: An effective curriculum must bring all required elements together creating an articulated scope and sequence that allows learners to advance to the highest possible levels of proficiency given the type of program. The documents need to be written in a format that is easily understood and accessible to teachers. Enduring understandings offer a starting point for curriculum development. Language educators and experts Donna Clementi and Laura Terrill have created a useful guide to assist teachers, curriculum designers, administrators and professional developers in designing Standards- and performance-based curricula. Starting with an understanding of the 21st century learner, the authors establish a mindset for creating curriculum based on developing learners' proficiency in language and culture. The authors provide easy-to-follow templates to develop units of instruction and daily lessons that incorporate the Standards for Learning Languages, Common Core State Standards, 21st century skills, and technology integration