Downing Middle School

Learning
Objectives
TODAYS LEARNING OBJECTIVE

• The student will be able to write a high quality lesson

objective for every day next week.

• CLICK HERE FOR INTRO VIDEO

IT’S ABOUT CLEAR FOCUS
 WHY ARE LO’S IMPORTANT
TO STUDENTS?

• Learning objectives communicate

specifically what students should be able
to do.
• Learning objectives tell students what is
important.
• Learning objectives should be used to
guide students as they work through the
course, and to assess their learning
progress.
 WHY ARE LO’S IMPORTANT
TO TEACHERS?

• Articulating learning objectives helps

instructors select and organize course
content.
• Articulating learning objectives helps
instructors determine assessment
creation.
• Articulating learning objectives helps
instructors practice good course
design.
 LEARNING OBJECTIVE’S COME
FIRST IN BACKWARDS DESIGN

(Understanding by Design, Wiggins & McTighe, 2005)

The three stages of Backward Design are:

• Identify desired learning goals and outcomes. What will students be able
to know and do as a consequence of your class or curriculum?

• Determine how students will demonstrate what they know and can do.

• Plan instructional strategies, resources, and learning experiences that

best help students reach your learning goals and outcomes.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITY
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Make them interesting. Objectives statements are often so boring that

most learners just hit the “Next” button to get past them. That is a shame,
because well-written objectives provide a strong motivator for learners.

Try imagining a learner jumping out of bed exclaiming, “Hurrah! Today I’m
going to learn to ______________.”

Keep the learning objectives statements simple and brief. Avoid including
too much detail so that the effort of writing the objectives does not
become discouraging and the requirements are not overwhelming to the
students.
 A WELL-WRITTEN LEARNING
OBJECTIVE IS A BRIEF STATEMENT
WITH SEVERAL IMPORTANT
CHARACTERISTICS:

• Completes this sentence: ”The student will be able to…"

• Learning objectives do not describe activities instructors intend to
provide, such as “view a video” or “read chapter one.” Those are tasks
or learning activities and may contribute towards a student’s
achievement of a learning objective.
• Begins with an action verb. Use good action verbs like “explain,”
“describe,” “discuss,” “assess,” “determine,” “analyze,” or “differentiate."
Words to avoid using include “understand,” “know,” and “learn.” (See
Bloom’s Taxonomy, below, for more verbs.)
• Contains an object/noun that summarizes the desired knowledge or
skill that students are expected to achieve.
• Precisely describes behavior that can be observed or evaluated.
 4 PART SUPER OBJECTIVE
SENTENCE STEM

• The student will be able to…

• Action Verb
• Object/noun of the content
• Super Objective: End result/as evidenced by- describes the
behavior or action that can be observed or evaluated.

• Example: The student will be able to write a high quality

lesson objective for every day next week.
BLOOMS VERBS
 INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE
Lesson Objectives Observed Super Objectives
Go over macronutrients

Review last Friday’s test to better

understand any disconnects. (Test is on
states of matter)

Do mm 3.5 writing inequalities

Slavery

Fairy tale elements

What is a migration barrier?

Main idea of Cinderella

Finish essay on MLK Jr.

Lesson Objectives Observed
Go over macronutrients
Review last Friday’s test to better understand any
disconnects. (Test is on states of matter)
Super Objectives
TSWBAT classify foods into the three macro nutrients
by creating a table of 24 different foods.
TSWBAT analyze incorrect test questions to ensure
they know all 3 states of matter.

Do mm 3.5 writing inequalities TSWBAT teach their think partner how to write
several inequalities that will result in every student
passing mental math 3.5.
Slavery TSWBAT clearly explain slaveries violation of basic
human rights by writing a persuasive essay for the
abolitionists in 1864.
Fairy tale elements TSWBAT identify 5 key elements in every fairy tale as
evidenced by completing the fairy tale matrix correctly.
What is a migration barrier? TSWBAT compare and contrast the benefits of a
migration barrier by creating a double bubble map of
the pros and cons of the Berlin Wall from the East
German perspective.
Main idea of Cinderella TSWBAT clearly summarize the main ideas in
Cinderella as evidenced by their original story written
about a historical figure who overcame great odds.
Finish essay on MLK Jr. TSWBAT empathize with the civil rights movement as
evidenced by their project on the life of MLK, Jr.