How do you write student-friendly learning targets?

Here are a few ways to make learning targets helpful for teaching and learning.

1. Do frame the target as learning. Â (Don’t frame the target as activity.)
2. Do write the standard in student-friendly language.
3. Do talk explicitly about the target.
4. Do formatively assess student understanding.
5. Resources.

How do you create a learning target?

An effective learning target must speak to students, express the essentials of the lesson, and provide students with a rationale for why what you are asking them to do is in fact a performance of understanding. In effect, an effective learning target helps students hop onto the learning trajectory.

What should a learning target include?

Learning targets are concrete goals written in student-friendly language that clearly describe what students will learn and be able to do by the end of a class, unit, project, or even a course. They begin with an “I can” statement and are posted in the classroom.

What makes a quality learning target?

Learning targets are short term goals or statements. Your learning targets should clearly state what you expect students to know and be able to do at the end of the lesson(s).

What is an example of a learning target?

Learning targets are about the concepts students will understand and the skills they can apply as a result of a lesson. Non-Example: I can work in a small group to read and discuss an article about Westward expansion. Example: I can describe ways that human activities have altered places and regions.

What is skills in learning targets?

Demonstrate, pronounce, perform “Skill targets are those where a demonstration or a physical skill-based performance is at the heart of the learning. Most skill targets are found in subjects such as physical education, visual and performing arts, and foreign languages.

What makes a good learning target?

Learning targets are most effective when visible to students. Repetition helps students stay focused on their target and growth. Learning targets should be in language students understand and relate to what is already being said in the class. This should not be new terminology for students.

What is a clear learning target?

Clear learning targets define what students should know and/or be able to do at the end of each lesson. These learning targets establish the foundation for assessment of student learning. Students will be able to communicate what they learned and demonstrate the learning for every lesson.

How can I make my learning targets more student friendly?

Try having each member come up with the learning target in their own words and then compare with each other. Sometimes someone else will create a learning target that is worded in a way you feel does a better job distilling the main points of a concept in a more student-friendly way.

What are learning targets?

Oftentimes, learning targets are in kid friendly terms and tell what students will be able to do at the conclusion of the lesson. For example: ‘I will be able to compare and contrast themes based on poems from the Harlem Renaissance.’

What is an example of a difficult learning target?

The following learning target is an example that is difficult to objectively measure and needs to be tweaked: I can demonstrate understanding of chemical nomenclature. As a teacher, I know what that means; but will students?

How effective are learning targets and performance scales?

Learning targets and performance scales can help teachers develop more student centered lessons, and students take ownership and learn how to monitor their progress toward a learning target. Read on to explore this effective approach to learning. When learning targets and performance scales were first introduced, many teachers were reluctant.