In-Class+Reflection+Questions

As you think about "SETTING OBJECTIVES" as a strategy, what's becoming clearer to you?

 * We need to set objectives more frequently. Clarify objectives and involve the students in the objective / goal setting process.
 * The importance of having students be a part of setting objectives. Personalizing objectives for the students helps them engage in the learning.
 * What has become clearer to us is that we need to do a better job of letting my students know what the objectives are for the day. We assume they are aware but it is clear this may be a mistake. Also, students should probably make some objectives of their own to provide ownership.
 * When students help set objectives for themselves they have more of an investment. It's best to pick and choose when having students become involved in the process.
 * Objectives allows for opportunity to create mastery. When students encounter different rubric after rubric, it does not allow for mastery. If we pick three tried and true rubrics and allowed teachers to set the objects and the rubrics to set if learning has occurred eventually students will be able to set their own objects and analyze their own learning. On the high levels, students are not applying what they learned, they recognize a rubric as a means for an A and not the tool it was intended for.
 * As a group we have concluded the use of "Setting Objectives" will result in an increase of student and teacher performance. Students will have a clearer understanding of expectations. A next step could be to develop the objectives into kid friendly "I can..." statements. This way, students will begin to develop an active role in their learning.

How does this impact your teaching practice? Give some specific examples.

 * We anticipate better learning outcomes and more responsibility on the student. The students will become more engaged. Setting clear objectives makes planning and teaching easier due to targeted instruction.
 * My textbook gives the students learning objectives for each unit and I type them in a word doc. Then I have students look over chapter and give an objective for me to type in the doc. I put their name by it. They seem to enjoy this and when when we get to their objective in the lesson, they take the lead on that topic.
 * We will have students write "I can statements." Objectives may be placed on huge post-it and placed on wall, students can use smaller post-its to place their individual goals on the large post-its and made visible monthly. Include parents in setting students' objectives (develop contracts) to motivate students.
 * Share common objectives across grade levels along with the common rubrics. Everyone utilizing the same rubrics across the board, then we can focus more on application.
 * Teachers and students will have a clear focus and time will be better spent. It keeps teachers from getting off track. Visitors coming to the classroom will become knowledgeable of classroom expectations.