Backwards Design

After reading about backward design I was left with many questions. I got the basic idea after reading through the articles but I still felt like I was missing a lot. At first it was really hard for me to take lessons and skills and zoom out and think of the big picture. I was feeling like how do I turn little skills into essential questions. It wasn't until I saw a few examples that it became more clear for me. I am the kind of person that needs an example or needs to see it done, and then I understand. I really liked the 3rd grade example in the article we read on Saturday. The way it was set up made it very clear and concrete for me (I'm a concrete sequential thinker!).
After seeing a few examples I felt more comfortable at least tackling the first few steps of backwards design.  I decided to start with a unit on rocks and minerals because it was easier for me to think big. To me the most important aspect I took from backward design was the essential questions. The whole idea is to apply your learning to real world and big picture ideas. I want the kids to apply what we learn in class to big ideas in their life and the world. For me I had to start by writing down the lessons and skills I usually teach in this unit. From there it was easier to see some big themes and questions that cover these skills. I think I need to go back and take out any lessons that may not be very important.
I still have some questions. I am concerned with the background knowledge and ability to think big with some of my students. What can I do with some of my students who are new to country or are at a very primary level. How can I get them to talk and apply what we are learning to ideas on how the world works? I am interested to see how much time I will spend building their prior knowledge and getting them up to the point to think big. I think it will also be hard for my students because it is hard for them to think on their own. They rely heavily on me and I know I am partly the problem. I want to move away from always giving them the answer and make sure it feels ok for them to just talk and tell what they know instead of looking to me for the answer.