With the understanding that we start with Who, the student, and work to What, the objective, as teachers we then need know how to find the What. Learning objectives vary by the age of the children, and in some cases by the requirements of the school and state education board. One place to begin in looking for clear, grade appropriate objectives is the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
"The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy" (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2012). This is the mission statement of the Common Core State standards Initiative, but it does not completely answer the question, What is this group and what do they do? Placed in simpler terms , the Common Core State Standards Initiative is a reference point for what students of a specific grade level should be learning. This is a place for teachers to reference the accepted standards their students should have mastered at the end of a school year. In other words, this is a place to find grade appropriate learning objectives.
In the United States, 45 states, the district of Columbia, four American territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity have all adopted these standards (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2012).This makes these standards a widely accepted grouping of age appropriate learning objectives for students in Kindergarten through high school. While five states have not yet adopted these standards, teachers throughout most of the American teaching communities can use these standards to evaluate or rewrite their current learning objectives. In addition to having standards available in both Math and Language arts, they are easily printable by grade, allowing teachers to keep a handy guide nearby for reference throughout the year.
Taking these standards, smaller and more specific goals can be set, forming lesson plans and activities. This can be demonstrated below using two of the Common Core State Standards for Kindergarten Literacy, and giving easy to understand and plan for goals.
"The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy" (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2012). This is the mission statement of the Common Core State standards Initiative, but it does not completely answer the question, What is this group and what do they do? Placed in simpler terms , the Common Core State Standards Initiative is a reference point for what students of a specific grade level should be learning. This is a place for teachers to reference the accepted standards their students should have mastered at the end of a school year. In other words, this is a place to find grade appropriate learning objectives.
In the United States, 45 states, the district of Columbia, four American territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity have all adopted these standards (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2012).This makes these standards a widely accepted grouping of age appropriate learning objectives for students in Kindergarten through high school. While five states have not yet adopted these standards, teachers throughout most of the American teaching communities can use these standards to evaluate or rewrite their current learning objectives. In addition to having standards available in both Math and Language arts, they are easily printable by grade, allowing teachers to keep a handy guide nearby for reference throughout the year.
Taking these standards, smaller and more specific goals can be set, forming lesson plans and activities. This can be demonstrated below using two of the Common Core State Standards for Kindergarten Literacy, and giving easy to understand and plan for goals.
CCSS. ELA-Literacy. RF. K. 1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
CCSS. ELA-Literacy. RF. K. 1b Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters (Common Core State Standards Initiative,2012, Kindergarten Literacy standards) |
Create a familiarity with printed communication.
Create understanding of meaning behind printed words. Create connections between printed words and concrete objects |
On the left side are two of the Common Core State Standards for Kindergarteners in the subject of English and Language arts, specifically in the area of Foundational Reading skills. This is the basic standard for foundational reading, as well as one smaller specific standard. From here I am able to break it down into three smaller goals for the
children. These learning objectives are in line with the State Standards, but are not specific methods of teaching. They stay in line with the What, not the How. From here a teacher can establish methods for meeting each individual
goal. For example, in order to connect spoken words with printed words and concrete objects, a child can work
on reading, writing and labeling objects in the classroom. By placing a sign with the word chair on a chair in their classroom they are able to make the connection between a printed word and an actual object. Using the What, I am able to plan a How.
children. These learning objectives are in line with the State Standards, but are not specific methods of teaching. They stay in line with the What, not the How. From here a teacher can establish methods for meeting each individual
goal. For example, in order to connect spoken words with printed words and concrete objects, a child can work
on reading, writing and labeling objects in the classroom. By placing a sign with the word chair on a chair in their classroom they are able to make the connection between a printed word and an actual object. Using the What, I am able to plan a How.