Russell County SchoolsDecember 8, 2010

Pam Wilson

Explain the benefits of Clear Learning Targets.

Write a clear learning target for a class you teach.

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“Teachers who truly understand what they want their students to accomplish will almost surely be more instructionally successful than teachers whose understanding of hoped-for student accomplishments is murky.”

-W. James Popham

Clear Learning Targets shift us away from what we, as teachers, are covering towards what our students are learning.

Task:Think about one of your classes that you

will teach tomorrow.Think about one thing you want your

students to know or be able to do by the end of that class tomorrow.

Learning Targetsaka

Content StandardsLesson Objectives

BenchmarksEssential QuestionsLearning IntentionsLearner Outcomes

Expectations

Frayer Model

Learning Target

Definition

NonexamplesExamples

Facts/Characteristics

Clear description of what is to be learned;Provides a clear visionof the ‘destination’ forstudent learning

• Measureable & attainable• Focus on intended learning • Focus on “chunks” of a standard• Clear, specific language congruent to standard

Adding FractionsDo Exercise 3.7 on pg 148Learning ActivitiesTasksPre-RequisitesAssessments

I can add fractions with unlike denominators.

I can identify key characteristics of a linear function and use them to create a graph.

A learning target can take from“five seconds to five weeks”

depending on

Complexity of the knowledge, skill, reasoning or product;

Its overall importance in the curriculum

Students – age, abilities, prior experience and cognitive development.

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STANDARD

LEARNING TARGETS

STUDENT FRIENDLY TARGETS

for teachersPlan & Deliver•Assessments•Instruction

for learners self-assess

I can …I am learning to…

Success criteria10

“Students can hit any target they can see that holds still for them.”

~Rick Stiggins

Be posted daily for students to seeBe discussed with students at the beginning of the lesson

Be reviewed with students at the end of the lesson

How do you know students reached the target? (formative assessment)

Is it really worth it?

The answer is, “YES!”

Teacher BenefitsWHAT to assess – instructional guide – keep

focused.CLARITY in planning – look for instructional

activities & strategies to help all students reach that specific target.

Better BALANCE of “in depth” study vs. “just covering the material.”

Know what your assessments REFLECT at a finer grain.

Help to MAXIMIZE student achievement.OPPORTUNITY to work collaboratively with

other teaching professionals.

Student BenefitsAble focus on the aspect at hand and not get distracted by other things.

Able to look at the posted target to remind themselves of what they are supposed to be doing.

~ Clark, 2001, pp. 25-26

When Learning Targets are communicated with parents, theyKnow what’s happening in the classroom.Can focus on assisting their student in

productive ways / locating resources. Understand what the grades mean in

terms of what students have learned and have not learned.

Talk specifically with students about their strengths and areas for improvement.

Learning Activities

Learning Targets

Assessment

This triangle represents the relationship between learning targets, assessments and learning

activities. If these three components are congruent,

…they achieve an exact match with the Standard,then teaching and learning is enhanced.

“Magic Triangle”

Standard

Write a clear learning target for a class you teach.

1. Recall your class & 1 thing you will teach tomorrow.

2. What is it you want your student to know or to be able to do?

3. Create a student friendly target using I can… or I will be able to…

4. Write it down.5. Post it in class on Thursday.6. Refer to it at the beginning of the lesson.7. Review it at the end of the lesson.8. Assess it & Reflect.

Learning Targets in the ClassroomView the video of Jessica Addison sharing how

she uses Learning Targets in a high school math class

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http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Highly+Effective+Teaching+and+Learning/Characteristics+of+Highly+Effective+Mathematics

+Teaching+and+Learning.htm

Students who can identify what they are learning significantly outscore those who cannot.

~ Robert Marzano

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