Three Reasons to Use Learning Targets (and How to Get Started!)
In my classroom, I love using Learning Targets! A Learning Target is a short one sentence statement about what the student should be able to do at the end of the lesson or week. Learning Targets can be written for each subject you teach or even each class period.
Planning for Learning Targets
When I plan my instruction, I plan for a week. So, for each subject I teach, I write one Learning Target for the week. This way, I only have to change the Learning Targets once each week. I usually plan my instruction for the following week before the weekend. I will change the Learning Target board on Friday, so I am ready for the new week of learning! This is the easiest way I have found to do this, but you could always change the Learning Targets daily. It all depends on your classroom and what you teach!
Like I said earlier, I plan in one week segments. First, I think about the skill or standard that I want the students to know by the end of the week. Then, I write the Learning Target statement as a goal for the students.
For example, I planned a whole week instruction on the fourth grade math standard for adding fractions with like denominators. The standard says: “Understand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts referring to the same whole.” Therefore my Learning Target for math would be: “I can add or subtract fractions with like denominators.”
Writing Learning Targets
When writing the Learning Targets, I always read the standard and try to use the wording from the standard as much as I can. Student’s need to be able to understand the Learning Target, but using standard language can expose them to the vocabulary they need to know on the final state tests at the end of the year.
I also always write the Learning Targets from the students’ viewpoint. So I will start the target saying: “I can do … ” or “I will be able to …” I think it’s so important for students to understand what they need to know so they can take control of their own learning. A student should never be confused about what they are learning; it should be obvious!
So WHY are Learning Targets so great??
Learning Targets keep you organized as a teacher!
As you can tell from my picture, I write a Learning Target for each subject I teach. I love to look at the board and see what I am teaching the entire week. This is especially great for elementary teachers, since we teach so many subjects. I can easily see everything I am teaching. It is a great way to keep myself organized throughout the week.
Learning Targets keep your students focused!
Learning Targets are centered on the students. Students are aiming for the target you, as a teacher, set for them to achieve in a certain amount of time. Students can know exactly what is expected of them, which keeps them focused on the goal of learning. They are not in the dark. How many times do students forget what we taught them yesterday? Students will always know where to look to be reminded of what they are supposed to be learning.
Learning Targets keep your instruction focused!
As a teacher, I only have so much time to teach my students everything they need to know by the end of the year. Having Learning Targets really helps to focus my teaching. I know where I am taking my students each day and my students know where they are going. I always start my lesson each day by directing my students’ attention to the Learning Targets Board. The students know exactly what they need to be able to do during the lesson and by the end of the week when they take the test. This helps me get right to the chase and focus on what I need to teach. I also use the Learning Targets at the end of the lesson to direct attention back to the goal and make sure students understand. This is also a great way to get some formative assessment from the students!
So how can I implement this in my classroom?
Well, the easy thing is you are already planning lessons. So step 1 is done! Next, just write what you want your students to accomplish in a simple student centered statement. Next, have an area to put the Learning Targets. I use a white board so I can just erase and write in what I’m doing each week. You could always write them on paper and hang them somewhere in the room as well. I like to make my Learning Targets board big and eye catching, since students need to know what they are learning. I find that my students refer to the board a lot throughout the week!
Thank you for Continually Learning with us!
Kyle and Sarah
