Research has shown that if students know WHY they are learning something, they are more likely to be successful while learning that topic. At my school, we are required to post our learning targets/objectives/goals for every subject.
Last year I was not creative and just laminated different colors of paper and wrote on it with a dry erase marker. I threw it up on the board at the last minute. It was not in a convenient place for the kiddos to see and I would forget to chance the goals sometimes.
So I had an idea this summer. Since my room has it's cabin theme, I was going to start there. When you're at the cabin, most people eat on paper plates, plastic silverware, and have those cutesy red and white table cloths! (Maybe that's just me!)
Enter, The Learning Menu!!!
I have my Learning Menu displayed by the door.
Everything on the board is from the Dollar Tree. I found the red and white checkered tablecloth. Since my bulletin board was small, I only needed half of it! I found plastic silverware to make it look like we're on a picnic.The plates are plastic. When I write on them with a dry erase marker, it comes right off! I want to add some ants or other picnic critter before school starts. Any ideas?
I have seen some people use these plastic plates (Dollar Tree) as dry erase boards for students too. There are so many possibilities!
If you have never written learning targets/objectives/goals here is a great place to start.
1. Write in kid friendly language.
2. Use "I can" statements
3. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
example: I can write a compound sentence.
example: I can add fractions with like denominators.
example: I can write a 5 paragraph essay about The Civil War.
