Objectives are statements of what we want students to learn as a result of the instruction we provide. Standards are simply mandated objectives.

The Common Format of Objectives Subject Verb Object S V O

The Subject is the Learner or the Student. The learner (will) The student (should) Students (might) Quite often, the subject is implicit or understood.

Recognize tone, mood, and theme in works of literature and relate to personal experience [ELA 1]

Verbs = Recognize, Relate Objects = Tone, Mood, and Theme; Personal Experience

Use interviewing and persuasive techniques to produce effective mass media messages ELA 2

Verb = Use Object = Interviewing and persuasive techniques To produce effective mass media messages

Recall multiplication and division facts through nine [Math 1]

Verb = Recall Object = Multiplication and division facts through nine

Create problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers using appropriate methods and tools Math 2

Verb = Create Object = appropriate methods and tools involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers

Identify and explain the processes of condensation, evaporation, precipitation and runoff using a model or a diagram Science 1

Verbs = Identify and explain Object = Processes of condensation, evaporation, precipitation and runoff Using a model or a diagram

Compare the physical characteristics of the states of matter, including solid, liquid and gas Science 2

Verb = Compare Object = the physical character- istics of the states of matter, including solid, liquid and gas

Explain the political alliances and policies that impacted the United States in the latter part of the 20 th Century, including NATO, the UN, and OPEC Social Studies 1

Verb = Explain Verb = Explain the political alliances and policies that impacted the United States in the latter part of the 20th Century Object = the political alliances and policies that impacted the United States in the latter part of the 20th Century including NATO, the UN, and OPEC

Summarize the provisions of the 13 th, 14 th, and 15 th Amendments to the Constitution, including how the amendments protected the rights of African Americans and sought to enhance their political, social, and economic opportunities Social Studies 2

Verb = Summarize Verb = Summarize Object = Provisions of the 13 th, 14 th, and 15 th Amendments to the Constitution Including how the amendments protected the rights of African Americans and sought to enhance their political, social, and economic opportunities

The verbs provide clues as to the cognitive process category intended by the person or persons writing the standard. The same verbs tend to be used across subject matters. In fact, 19 verbs (in gerund form) account for virtually all cognitive processes found in objectives.

THE TAXONOMY TABLE D6 D6 D5 D5 D4 D4 D3 D3 D2 D2 D1 D1 D. Metacognitive Knowledge C6 C6 C5 C5 C4 C4 C3 C3 C2 C2 C1 C1 C. Procedural Knowledge B6 B6 B5 B5 B4 B4 B3 B3 B2 B2 B1 B1 B. Conceptual Knowledge A6 A6 A5 A5 A4 A4 A3 A3 A2 A2 A1 A1 A. Factual Knowledge 1. REMEMBER Recognizing Recalling 2. UNDERSTAND Interpreting Exemplifying Classifying Summarizing Inferring Comparing Explaining 3. APPLY Executing Implementing 4. ANALYZE Differentiating Organizing Attributing 5. EVALUATE Checking Critiquing 6. CREATE Generating Planning Producing

The SVO format of standards in combination with the two- dimensional structure of the Taxonomy Table allows us to classify standards so we better understand their intent and meaning in terms of student learning.

Let’s Take an Easy One Recall multiplication and division facts through nine [Math 1] Noun = Multiplication and division facts through nine = Factual Knowledge = Row A Verb = Recall = Remember = Column 1 The standard belongs in Cell A1, Remember Factual Knowledge

A Little More Difficult Identify and explain the processes of condensation, precipitation, and runoff using a model or diagram. Noun = Processes = Procedural Knowledge Verbs = Identify (Remember) and Explain (Understand) The standard belongs in two cells: C1 and C2

Even More Difficult Use interviewing & persuasive techniques to produce effective mass media messages. Noun = Techniques = Procedural Knowledge = Row C Verb = Use = Apply = Column 3 The standard looks like it belongs exclusively in Cell C3, Apply Procedural Knowledge

What is the importance of placing objectives in cells of the Taxonomy Table? REFLECTION

One of the primary values of the Taxonomy Table is that it helps us understand the intent and meaning of standards!

Armed with this understanding, we can begin to design assessments, plan instruction, and improve alignment.