Did the teacher allow opportunities for students to articulate the purpose of the texts they are reading in light of unit goals?

Why does this matter?

Students must not only know what they are reading / writing in class but WHY they are reading and writing! “In stating a purpose, we make our expectations for learning clear. When teachers have high expectations for students, communicate those expectations, and provide the support necessary to achieve them, student performance soars; conversely, when teachers have low expectations and communicate this either verbally or nonverbally, student achievement suffers” (Marzano, 2011).

What does this look like in a classroom?

Historians want to know more than what happened in the past and require the lens of multiple perspectives. In a Social Studies class, students may want to understand why certain events happened. Why did people do what they did? How does what happened in the past connect to and inform the present? What does the past tell us about what might happen in the future?

In an ELA class, students are asked to think, read, write, speak, and listen like an expert in the field. Students are empowered to use their voices including digital tools to process information so that they do not simply believe everything that’s read or heard.

In a Math class, both teachers and students should be able to articulate what skill is being learned, why it is important, how it relates to past learning in mathematics, and where these new mathematical ideas are going.

In Science class, students are encouraged and guided to articulate their ideas and recognize explanation rather than facts.

What does this look like in a remote learning context?

Sal Khan, creator of Khan Academy, says: "Students are looking to you to let them know how they are doing and that their remote work has purpose."

This starts by being explicit about why students are doing what they are doing. It is important to connect assignments and texts students are using to the overall goals of the unit.

What are some key PD resources related to this topic?

Establishing Purpose for Yourself and Your Students

Reading, Writing and Understanding

What are special considerations / resources for students with IEPs?

Helping students with disabilities set clear goals is crucial. The resourcesbelow can help:

Goal Setting for Children with Learning Disabilities: Your Role Is Important

How is this related to CR-SE? (Culturally Responsive /Sustaining Education)

In the state CRSE Document, on page 21 it states that teachers should: support students in working cooperatively toward goals. In order for students to work toward goals, the purpose of the learning must be clear! To be a true culturally responsive educator, you set clear purpose so students understand what they are supposed to learn and why they are supposed to learn it.

How is this related to the Supportive Environment Framework / Social-Emotional Learning?

The SEF states "School leaders and staff effectively communicate expectations connected to a path to college and career readiness"; by setting a purpose for learning you are helping students see how that learning fits into their longer term goals.