Clear Learning Expectations

The learning outcomes are clearly described and communicated to students through essential questions, performance-based objectives, and clear daily learning targets. These instructional tools are used by teachers and students to monitor progress toward mastery of standards.

Essential Question

In Understanding by Design, by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, essential questions are defined as questions that are not answerable with finality in a brief sentence. The aim of an essential question is to stimulate thought, to promote inquiry, and to spark more questions. They are broad in scope and timeless in nature and refer to the core ideas and inquiries within a discipline.

Performance-Based Objectives

In The Integrated Approach to Student Achievement, by Donyall Dickey, a performance-based is an instructional objective that is accessible to students, teachers, and observers, and linked to the content and to a higher-order thinking skill.

Learning Targets

In Leaders of Their Own Learning, by EL Education, learning targets are concrete goals written in student-friendly language that clearly describes what students will learn and be able to do by the end of a class, unit, project, or course.

Why is this important?

Creating a student-centered classroom that promotes learning and empowers students begins when teachers have clear learning expectations for all students. It is important to have clear learning expectations in order to:

• Establish a purpose and focus for learning

• Motivate students to take responsibility and to be accountable for their learning

• Measure progress toward mastery of standards