Today I am going to discuss student objectives. This is a hot button issue with the Common Core being applied to many state's curriculum, as the Common Core is upping the rigger in every grade and subject. A great lessons always starts with a strong objective. You might even call it the back bone of every lesson.
Often times teachers and administrators expect different things when it comes to writing student objectives. Administrators expect the out comes to be high level and teachers expect them to be written at the student level. I would suggest clarifying with your administrator to get their expectations before you are observed. This will not only look better on your write up, but it will lay the foundation for your future objectives.
Below I have explained what I think Student Objectives should be based on my experience and my curriculum degree.
Student Objectives should be obtainable and measurable in a lesson. In other words it is not a long term goal, it is exactly what the students will be doing during that day's lesson. Also the teacher should be able to measure the progress made toward the outcome in the lesson. After I write and objective I always ask myself "Is it measurable? Is it obtainable today?"
I frame my Student Objectives using "what" and "how", what are the students doing, how are they doing it. The what explains the obtainable, the how explains the measurable.An example of this is "We will create fact families by using addition and subtraction relationships." What are the students doing, creating fact families. How are they doing it, "using addition and subtraction relationships." From the objective I can tell exactly what the students are doing, creating fact families. I can also tell how the teacher will measure if the objective was achieved or not, by using addition and subtraction relationships.
Many time the "How" is not abstract but a activity that will be completed. An example of this Student Objective is "We will compare and contrast 'The Three Little Pigs' and 'The True Story of the Three Little Pigs' by successfully completing a bubble map." In this objective it is clear that the skill the students will be expected to complete is comparing and contrasting and the measurable activity is completing a bubble map. As you can see the creation of a bubble map is what the teacher will be using to measure student progress. I especially like that the teacher added in "successfully" because it raises the bar for students. They are now expected to do the bubble map correctly in order to achieve this objective.
I also want to let you know that I use a Critical Thinking Educational Wheel when I write my objectives. They are wheels based on Bloom's Taxonomy that give example of verbs for each level. This tool really helps me to lock in on what is expected of my students and what I need to do to get them there. If you do not have one, I strongly urge you to purchase one. They are wonderful tools.
The last idea I want to discuss today is the actual writing of the Student Objectives. I like to highlight, box or underline important parts of the objective. Please see below:
We will create fact families by using addition and subtraction relationships.
We will compare and contrast 'The Three Little Pigs' and 'The True Story of the Three Little Pigs' by successfully completing a bubble map
We will write an expository text explaining 'How to' by using our flow charts and prewriting.
I hope you found this information helpful. My next post will be all about how to use your Student Objectives to create a lesson.
Good Luck and Happy Educating!
