Submitted by Tami Mangusso, Colorado

Idea posted June 13, 2011

We have to post the Learning Target for everything we teach. Then we have to have Success Criteria for each target. Success Criteria are the things students need to be able to do in order to accomplish the Learning Target.

Here's a sample:

Learning Target: I can give the letter name of the note on the music staff.

Success Criteria:

  • Is the note on a line or in a space?
  • Use the mnemonic saying to help (e.g. Lines: Every Good Boy Does Fine; Spaces: Fat Albert Can Eat or FACE).
  • Remember to start with the bottom line/space and work your way up.

Before you teach the lesson, you have the students read the Learning Target with you. Then you discuss what it means. In the target above, we would discuss, "What does it mean to give the letter name?" and "What is the music alphabet?" Then we would discuss, "What is a note?" and "What are the characteristics of a note?" This discussion leads to the Success Criteria. We will go over the Success Criteria as a whole group, and then I will have them pair share (also known as "Teach" in the Whole Brain Teaching Method). During the Teach time, they are teaching each other the Learning Target: What does it mean and what do they need to do to accomplish the target (Success Criteria)? I usually wander around to listen in on what they are discussing.

I know it may seem redundant to have them "Teach," but really this step is important for them to understand what they are learning and what is expected of them. This process may also seem like it takes a lot of time, but really if students don't know what they are learning and what is expected of them, then they will never be able to really do what you want them to do. In the end, this process will save you time, and you will see results much faster. It will give you a better understanding of what is working for them and what is not working for them. If students can't explain to each other what they need to do, then you will know that you need to have more discussion or to re-teach a concept. You will also find that your students will become more independent and they won't depend on you to walk them through things. I am able to step back a lot of times and watch them do the activity without my assistance.