UNIT GOALS

UNIT GOALSDefining the level of Critical Thinking

Unit Goals:

A Summary• Unit Goals articulate what ALL students will know and be

able to do at the end of a 2-4 week unit

• They do so by stating the level of critical thinking, or the level at which students will engage with the Unit Concept

• New standards do this well.

• Unit Goals:

• Incorporate standards that require 2-4 weeks to accomplish

• Focus on content and skills

• Assessed independently and individually on previously unseen material

Unit Goals:

The Big Picture

Unit Goals:

Components• 8-10 (or 4-6) Unit Goals – one for each Unit Concept

• The stem “SWBAT” (students will be able to)

• Each uses one verb from Bloom’s Taxonomy

• Verb must be:• Active• Observable

• Constitutes a “floor” not a “ceiling” of student achievement

Unit Goals:

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Evaluation

Synthesis

Analysis

Application

Comprehension

Knowledge

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Verbs are at the heart of writing good Unit Goals.

Unit Goals:

Levels of Critical Thinking

Team/Dept. Critical Thinking Levels

K - 2Know and “Explain”

Explain and Apply (with scaffolding)

3 - 5Explain and Apply

Apply and Analyze (with scaffolding)

6 - 8

Apply and Analyze (with scaffolding)

Apply, Analyze and Synthesize (with

scaffolding)

9 -12 Analyze and Synthesize and perhaps Evaluate

Unit Goals:

Examples

3rd Grade Language Arts

Unit Concept: Imagined Narrative

Unit Goal: SWBAT describe features of an imagined narrative. CCELAS 3.RL.3, 3.W.3-4, 3.SL.3-4, 3.L.3a

7th Grade Language Arts

Unit Concept: Genre: The Novel (The Outsiders by SE Hinton)

Unit Goal: SWBAT analyze character development through cause-effect, conflict, and other literary elements. CCELAS 7.RL.2-4, 7.RL.6, 7.RI.3

Unit Goals:

Your Turn5th Grade Language ArtsUnit Concept: Drama

Unit Goal: SWBAT identify and explain how literary elements affect theme in drama. CCELAS 5.RL.2

Strengths: Student-centered, clearly written, active.

Weaknesses: Multiple verbs.

Possible Alternative: SWBAT explain how literary elements such as setting, conflict, characterization, and symbolism affect theme in drama.

Unit Goals:

Your Turn8th Grade ReadingUnit Concept: Genre: Poetry

Unit Goal: SWBAT evaluate the meaning of a poem. CCELAS 8.RL.3

Strengths: Student-centered, clearly written, active verb, challenging.Weaknesses: Developmentally inappropriate for 8th graders and evaluative criteria not explained.

Possible Alternative: SWBAT interpret the meaning of poem using poetic devices such as figurative language, sensory engagement, diction, and form.

Unit Goals:

Your Turn11th Grade American LiteratureUnit Concept: The Modern American Dreamer: How does the American Dream influence America today? (The Great Gatsby)

Unit Goal: SWBAT identify the role the American Dream plays in contemporary America. CCELAS 11-12.RL.2,9-10, 11-12.RI.9

Strengths: Student-centered, clearly worded, active.

Weaknesses: Not developmentally appropriate – too low.

Possible Alternative: SWBAT analyze the role the American Dream plays in contemporary America.