Learning Targets Purpose and Practice

Explain the benefits of Clear Learning Targets. Write a clear learning target for a class you teach. Renee’

“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 Targets Content Standards Lesson Objectives Benchmarks aka Content Standards Lesson Objectives Benchmarks Essential Questions Learning Intentions Learner Outcomes Expectations

Learning Target Frayer Model Measureable & attainable Definition Facts/Characteristics Measureable & attainable Focus on intended learning Focus on “chunks” of a standard Clear, specific language congruent to standard Clear description of what is to be learned; Provides a clear vision of the ‘destination’ for student learning Learning Target Examples Nonexamples Adding Fractions Do Exercise 3.7 on pg 148 Learning Activities Tasks Pre-Requisites Assessments I can add fractions with unlike denominators. I can identify key characteristics of a linear function and use them to create a graph.

“five seconds to five weeks” 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. Reminded that we are using the term ‘learning target’ because that is the terminology used in CASL…(use CASL message 3 for elaborations/references to these other points)

STUDENT FRIENDLY TARGETS STANDARD Plan & Deliver Assessments Instruction LEARNING TARGETS for teachers STUDENT FRIENDLY TARGETS for learners self-assess I can … I am learning to… Success criteria

Learning Targets should… Be posted daily for students to see Be discussed with students at the beginning of the lesson Be reviewed once met Be reviewed with students at the end of the lesson How do you know students reached the target? (formative assessment)

Teacher Benefits WHAT 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.

Student Benefits Able 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

“Magic Triangle” Standard This triangle represents the relationship Learning Targets Standard Standard Learning Activities 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.

Students who can identify what they are learning significantly outscore those who cannot. ~ Robert Marzano Renee’ (student benefits)