Activity Objective

The goal of Success Criteria: Setting Goals to Improve Student Learning is to provide students with a strategy to help guide and organize their writing, encourage independent learning and provide students with accurate feedback.

What You Need

Prep Time:

10-20 minutes
- Select a learning goal
- Select exemplary samples of work
- Prepare Success Criteria chart

Task Time:

20-30 minutes
- Teacher shares learning goal
- Teacher shares exemplary samples of work
- Teacher and students discuss samples
- Teacher and students brainstorm and record criteria for success

Materials Required:

Teacher:
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Work samples

What You Do

Teacher Role:

Direct instruction:
- when teacher shares learning goal

Modeling:
- when teacher shares exemplary samples of work

Supporter:
- when teacher and students discuss samples

Consultant:
- when teacher and students brainstorm and record criteria for success

Student Grouping:

Whole class:
- when teacher shares learning goal and exemplary samples

- when teacher and students discuss samples and brainstorm criteria for success

Assessment Ideas:

- Use the success criteria to guide you when providing formative feedback
      a. For example: Record anecdotal comments on students' work that include strengths and next steps

- Student Self-Assessment: Guide the students in a self-assessment by having them use the criteria to determine their success in achieving the learning goal
      a. Encourage students to bump up their work by making revisions or adding details

Quick Tips

Activity Extensions:

- Conduct mini-lessons related to each component listed on the Success Criteria chart
      a. For example: Writing an interesting introduction

- Hold one-on-one conferences and discuss success criteria in relation to the student's work
      a. Guide the student on what he/she needs to do in order to achieve the learning goal

- Have students brainstorm individual learning goals and success criteria related to specific subjects
      a. Set goals 2-3 times throughout the year
      b. Reflect on student success in meeting the learning goals

Additional Comments:

- Success criteria are the "I can" statements that specifically outline what the students need to do in order to achieve their learning goal. Success criteria encourage independent learning, provide accurate feedback and enable students to be accountable for their learning.

- Using student friendly language will help students understand the task and provide a clear outline of the expectations.

- Co-constructing the success criteria with the students will help them take ownership of their work.Anchoring the Success Criteria chart to the wall provides the students with a learning tool that they can refer to as they complete the given task.

- As students gain a greater understanding of what constitutes an exemplary piece of work refine the success criteria to match the learning outcome.

Other Adaptations/Modifications:

- Strategically seat students who may require cues to refocus during discussion

- Provide individual copies of the success criteria for students who may have a visual impairment