Setting Learning Goals
Fostering Metacognition by Discussing and Displaying Expectations (Virtual Tour)
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 1: Beginning LiteracyStage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Stage 3: Literacy for Growth
Ages:
5-9
Grade Range:
1st 2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary: Classroom Tips, Assessment
Transcript
In this section of the classroom, I have the current learning goals. Every time I start a unit, in every subject, we read it together; we talk about this because to me it's very important that my students know what it is that they're going to be learning about. Once I have used it several times, I have it at the front when I'm doing my lessons. "What is it that we are working on in language?" Sometimes they don't remember or sometimes they do. I show them the card. At some point, I tell them it's time to put the card on the board so it comes over here. This is an idea of knowing exactly what we are working on and why we're doing it. For example, in language, I have learning goals for reading, which is becoming a better reader. But in writing right now, we're working on predictions, inferencing our predictions. You can see here that it says "I will learn and practice how to infer and predict and how to explain my prediction". That's the learning goal and I told them that particular part of explain my prediction means saying why. Why do you think that's what's going to happen next. At the end of the unit, we go back to the learning goal. Did we get the results? Did we learn this? Yes, okay good. So it's time to move on to a new unit. Another example in math, we are working right now with measuring the length and area of objects. We keep working with solving math problems, so that's something that I keep going back and I use all the time. So as you can see here, the learning goals for math relate to those things. This is also a really good tool for me as a teacher because I have organized all these cards based on the curriculum expectations. These cards are just so easy to do. "Okay, this is what I'm going to be teaching next", and of course I use this when I'm planning. I know that for this week, this is the unit that we're going to be working on and matches my annual plan and my weekly plan. It's just an easy way for me to see what's coming next. Using this system with these cards looks very simple but allows me as a teacher to make sure that I cover all the Common Core standards. I have this simple system and I know how much I have covered. I have to just sit down and do this once, and then I know that I will use it for the rest of the year. If I'm teaching the first grade again next year, it's all done and I start all over again. It's just a nice way to keep track of what I've done and what is left.
Related References
Additional Links:
Reading Rockets: Goals for First Grade: Early Reading and Writing http://www.readingrockets.org/article/goals-first-grade-early-reading-and-writing-0
Activity Objective
The goal of Setting Learning Goals: Fostering Metacognition by Discussing and Displaying Expectations (Virtual Tour) is to maximize the effectiveness of lessons through frequent classroom discussions about the purpose of lessons. When students know what skills they are supposed to be developing they can monitor and assess their own understanding, and reflect on their progress.
Quick Tips
Additional Comments:
- Select reasonable learning goals based on grade-appropriate curriculum expectations. This will help ensure that your students achieve the goals set by your district. - Formulate important learning goals with your class so that they feel a sense of ownership over their own learning. - Display learning goals in easy-to-view places so that students are frequently reminded of what they are working towards.
Other Recipes by this Teacher
What are We Doing in Class Today?: Motivating Beginning Readers with a Daily Schedule (Virtual Tour)
K - 6th
Literacy CAFE in First Grade: Fostering Independence using a Menu of Strategies (Virtual Tour)
1st - 3rd
The Daily 5 in First Grade: Engaging Students with a Balanced Literacy Approach (Virtual Tour)
1st - 3rd
Predicting and Inferring: Scaffolding Comprehension Strategies using an Explicit Framework (Virtual Tour)
1st - 3rd
Revising and Editing in First Grade: Using Success Criteria to Focus the Writing Process (Virtual Tour)
K - 6th
