Learning+Targets


 * Learning targets help:** Click here for an excerpt from //The Purposeful Classroom// by Fisher and Frey: [[file:Rubric.pdf]]
 * Learning targets help:** Performance verbs organized into Bloom's levels:[[file:PerformanceVerbs.doc]]Performance verbs defined: [[file:2 Defining Performance Verbs.pdf]]

In our estimation (Moss & Brookhart, 2009) and that of others (Seidle, Rimmele, & Prenzel, 2005; Stiggins, Arter, Chappuis, & Chappuis, 2009), the intention for the lesson is one of the most important things students should learn. Without a precise description of where they are headed, too many students are "flying blind." Having students actively engaged in monitoring their own progress toward learning targets helps students understand the importance of learning targets. Students are better able to monitor their progress toward the target and become more invested in the learning as consistent use of learning targets helps them focus on the expectations of the day. Experts from Rick Stiggins and Larry Ainsworth to Bob Marzano have proven time and again that engaging students in their own learning by posting objectives in class is a practice worth pursuing. ...This is the first year in my sixteen year career that I've ever even tried to engage students in self-assessment, even though I've read all the relevant research about the importance of self-assessment. The reason: I wasn't even sure of what they were supposed to know and be able to do! Now that I've got clear targets written in language that everyone understands, self-assessment (and engaging parents in the assessment process) is a breeze. The single most important method for routinely sharing learning targets is using assignments that match—really match—the learning goal. It is in the assignment that the teacher translates the learning goal into action for the student. The generalizations related to setting objectives explain that goals should be clear and specific, but also flexible enough for students to personalize the goals. Consider the objectives you are expected to use, that is, those provided by your school, district, or state. To what extent do you feel they meet the criteria of clarity, specificity, and flexibility?