Writing Effective Daily Goals or Objectives UDL Institute 2014

Daily Goal We will be able to write effective goals that are manageable, measureable that relate to state standards using the begin with the end in mind approach.

Flaw #1: What am I going to teach tomorrow? Students will read from three primary sources about Elizabeth I. Students will learn the causes of the civil war.

Consider another approach… “Begin with the End in Mind”- Stephen Covey

First Plan the Unit! Think of your daily lessons as part of a larger unit. A unit may be several weeks long and will include many daily goals. Each unit revolves around essential questions which are open ended, worthwhile and deal with real world problems and issues. The EQ addresses what you want your students to be able to consider at the END of the unit. Examples: - What is the nature of courage? How have different individuals in American History demonstrated courage? Describe a moment in your life where you have been a witness to courage. - Is war ever justified? Was the war between the states justified? Explain and defend your answers using historical facts. Each daily lesson within the unit builds off the previous day. Understanding student mastery each day helps you prepare for the next day. Great way to use exit tickets.

Rather than flying blind… Progress from unit planning to daily lesson planning. Use a well-framed objective to define the goal of each lesson. Determine how you will assess your effectiveness in reaching your goal. Decide on activities/ strategies that will teach your daily goal.

First ask yourself, What do I want my students to know and or be able to do at the end of class today? The answer becomes your daily goal. After reading 2 primary sources about Elizabeth I, students will be able to outline and describe three historical issues that Elizabeth I dealt with during her reign. After viewing the power point, students will be able to identify and describe one political, economic, and social cause that led to the Civil War.

How to write a daily goal. - Use the 4 M’s! M anageable M easurable M ade First!!!! M ost Important

An effective objective should focus on what is most important for learning; Think State Standards!

Manageable A daily goal should be taught in a single day. (Ok, maybe a day and a half)

M easurable An effective objective is written so that success in achieving it can be determined at the end of the period. (Short activity, quick quiz, exit ticket, etc.). Setting an explicit measurable goal helps us hold ourselves & our students accountable.

Exit Pass Today’s daily goal is: Two things I learned in today’s class to demonstrate my understanding are: One question I still have is: Exit Pass Today’s daily goal is: Two things I learned in today’s class to demonstrate my understanding are: One question I still have is: Sample Exit Ticket

Is this Goal Measureable? Dudley Doright- Period 4- Sociology According to the value appraisal test, the values that I cherish most are honesty and hard work. I believe that these values will allow me to do well in college and have a successful career in law enforcement. Daily Goal: After taking the values appraisal survey be able to identify two values that are important to you and determine how these values will affect your future. Exit Pass Question Given at End of Period - Considering your values appraisal test results, name 2 values that are important to you and briefly explain how these values will influence your future?

M ade First An effective daily goal guides the design of the classroom activity. “What are the best strategies to employ to achieve the daily goal?” Conversely, the goal should NOT be made to retrofit the classroom activity.

Post the daily objective everyday! Same location everyday Placement indicates importance Use identified essential vocabulary Introduce it at the beginning of the class and refer to it throughout the lesson- loop back at the end of the period Goal help students work intentionally toward the goal throughout the period.

What’s wrong with this daily goal? Students will be able to summarize the causes and the effects of the Civil War. Not Manageable!

What’s wrong with this daily goal? Students will be able to appreciate the Constitution of the United States. Not Measurable. What is appreciation? How will you know it happened? Probably not manageable either.

How is this goal problematic? Students will view scenes from the movie America the Story of Us. This is an activity not a goal!

One more time… Students will construct a poster to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Its not important! The skill of making a poster is not a state standard nor does it promote learning. Understanding Dr. King’s legacy is what is important. Its also not measurable.

Time to Practice Write a daily goal for tomorrow’s lesson in one of your classes. Pair and Share time Edit using the 4 M’s (Manageable, Measureable, Most Important, Made First (Begin with the end in Mind).

Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on The Path to College Author Doug Lemov

Questions?