In room 21 we like to set goals. Which really means I like
to set goals and my excitement and over-enthusiasm for something boring has convinced
my students liking to set goals. (Similar to their love of picking up trash and
the smell of Clorox wipes…I’m a clean freak)
It took a little a lot of practice and we started
small. Over the course of 97 days we’ve added goals in writing, behavior, and
math. Soon we will move to literacy goals.
My main focus is that:
1.
The kids
pick their own goals – Even if EVERYONE likes “spelling and punctuation” as
a writing goal.
2.
Goals are
visible for all to see – I think it’s so important for their goals to be
shown off! Not only does it keep them accountable with their goal in sight it
also reminds me to use their goals in day to day conversation.
For example, in math I will tell
certain students to pay close attention as this is their math problem goal. It
also is helpful when conferencing for writing because I can look up at the board
and incorporate their goal into our check-in. I also have students who without
direction will chat with other kids who have their same goal.
3.
Students remember
and “Check” goals – When students don’t remember their goals that’s a
problem! I always shoot for them to know what their goal is and how to achieve it.
(goals about goals) In order for that to happen we have to talk about our goals
often enough, usually once a week, we also ask friends for advice in how to
achieve our goals.
For
example, if a student has a goal of using paragraphs correctly in their writing
they visit with one of our in-house paragraph experts. The goal-setter shows
their current work, asks the expert for tips, and decides if they have more
work to do towards their goal or if it is accomplished. “Experts” are
determined by me and casually mentioned during whole group learning based on
past work. It all started when I randomly called someone a paragraph expert and
the next three days others went to that student for help. Funny how some of my
most successful teaching ideas come from the kids themselves!
I’m a very visual person and have already typed too much for
my own attention span and comprehension so here are the goals we currently have
set in Room 21!
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| This is our current math goals chart. It is focused on the skills in our current six week interim cycle. In order to gather the students’ goals for math I have them circle two problems they are still struggling with when working on their own. I then record which problems they want to focus on and create a chart- easy peasy! Math goals are the ones students most often seek out other classmates to talk about their similar goals. If even it’s to say, “Ugh, you have problems with that one too?” |
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| Writing goals are teacher created based on the genre of writing we are currently working on. Right now we are working on persuasive writing using Lucy Calkins as our guide. In order to create this goal chart I simply gave students their name sticks and had them place it in the pocket of their goal. Spelling and punctuation is my LEAST favorite goal choice and also their favorite. Oy. This is where suppressing my urge to be a control freak comes into play – if it’s the goal they chose I *try* to honor it. I do give suggestions to those who I feel need a push and a more advanced goal. |
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At the end of our day
we have English Language Development. The third grade splits up between four
language development categories. This year I work with low English only students.
During this time we do a quickwrite based on a prompt. Goals for this are
simply around grammar, structure, and mechanics. With this students stick their post-it to the
window. It’s the easiest to create and update. Also a great dual purpose of my
window.
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Those are my current goals around the classroom but I’m always searching Pinterest and blogs for more ideas! Especially our next set of goals related to
literacy and the Daily 5. Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thanks for sticking
through and reading my post! It’s an exciting and nerve-racking new process!
