"SMARTER" Goals Approach

When developing classroom goals as well as daily objectives, I utilize the SMARTER method:

• Specific, strategic, and standards-based
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Results-oriented
• Time-bound
• Evaluated
• Reviewed

Citizenship Goals

While the explicit educational curriculum, filled with learning objectives and standards, is central to the school environment and my classroom, the implicit curriculum plays just as important of a role in educating the whole student and preparing them to be contributing adult citizens.  Thus, my goals for students go beyond my own subject areas and are intended to help students develop socially as well as personally.  In my classroom, students learn to:

• Describe and discuss who they are and how they fit into their local, regional, and world community.
• Utilize study and organizational skills as appropriate for the subject matter and level.
• Independently manage time, responsibilities, and behavior.
• Collaborate with peers and working cooperatively, including the use of communication skills, camaraderie and support, negotiation, and compromise.

Academic Goals

Spanish
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The goals for Spanish classes are aligned with the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).  Although these are general goals that apply to all levels of Spanish, teachers collaboratively determine benchmarks for measuring progress as appropriate for each level.

• Communication - Use the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in all three language modes (interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal).
• Culture - Describe, explain, and discuss other cultures.
• Comparisons - Develop insight into the nature of language and culture by comparing the student's own language and culture to another.
• Connections - Make connections with other subject areas and acquire information.
• Communities - Participate in communities at home and around the world by using Spanish.

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Psychology

Change how you view the world and make you a better student, including:

• Mastery of Psychology's core concepts as outlined by the College Board AP Curriculum (please see the College Board AP resources).
• Graphically represent complex concepts.
• Apply Psychology to your life.
• Apply critical thinking skills to novel situations by thinking like a psychologist.
• Demonstrate literacy in the 21st century skills you need for success in today's world: read, write, research, problem solve, use technology, collaborate, and orally present and debate.