Perhaps you have heard, and been confused by, the phrases "deconstructing" or "unpacking" the standards. Throw in the terms like objectives, targets, cans and dos, and it gets really blurry for some of us. And yet, understanding the difference between learning targets and standards is essential to building effective unit plans.
Take a minute and do a little self-assessment. Can you tell the difference between these standards and learning targets?
I can add and subtract fractions.
I can draw and label a food web showing the relationships among all of the ecosystem's plant and animal populations.
I can describe the elements of music.
Write in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
I can write an argument to support claims.
Expand music listening skills and use music vocabulary to analyze and evaluate music.
I can write a letter to the city council and ask them to build a new skate board park.
Know and apply scientific concepts and principles to understand the properties, structures and changes in physical, earth/space, and living systems.
When you build a unit plan, how do you determine which types of targets you will ask students to meet as you try to help them master the standards? What do you think makes this difficult? Was there something that " clicked" for you that you can share with others?
