Let's Get Crafty!

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to create clear, measurable short- and long-term learning goals and objectives appropriate for the developmental level of your future students.

What is Happening?

Have you ever been in a lesson where the goals and objectives weren’t clear?

How did that feel?

In this lesson, you will learn how to write learning goals and objectives that help make lessons clear, focused, and developmentally appropriate.

What are Learning Objectives?

Learning objectives describe what students should know or be able to do by the end of a lesson or unit. They give direction and purpose to teaching and learning. When objectives are clear and measurable, both teachers and students know exactly what success looks like.

There are two main types of learning objectives:

Short-Term Objectives focus on specific knowledge or skills taught in a single lesson.

Example: “Students will identify the parts of a plant cell.”

Long-Term Objectives focus on a broader understanding developed over time or across several lessons.

Example: “Students will explain how plant cells support life.”

Effective learning objectives start with the phrase “Students will be able to…” followed by an action verb (like identify, describe, explain, or create) that can be observed and measured.

Well-written objectives help teachers plan lessons that are focused, organized, and developmentally appropriate for their students’ age and ability.

Accessible Version: Long or Short Term Objectives

Put each learning objective in the correct column

Long Term Objectives

Explain how cells work together to sustain life.
Analyze how government decisions affect citizens.
Write an original short story using descriptive language.
Apply teamwork strategies in a full soccer game.
Design and conduct a full experiment using the scientific method.
Apply algebraic reasoning to solve real-world problems.
Develop a balanced weekly meal plan that supports overall wellness.
Perform a short piece using proper rhythm and pitch.

Short Term Objectives

Identify the main parts of a cell.
Describe the three branches of government.
Define key vocabulary terms from the short story.
Demonstrate how to pass a soccer ball correctly.
List the steps of the scientific method.
Solve one-step equations with whole numbers.
Identify healthy food choices from a menu.
Recognize musical notes on the treble clef.

What are Learning Goals?

Learning goals are broad statements that describe what students should know, understand, or be able to do by the end of a lesson, unit, or course. They provide a destination for learning, helping both teachers and students understand the purpose of instruction.

Key Points About Learning Goals:

Broad and Long-Term: Learning goals focus on overall understanding rather than specific steps or tasks.
- Example: “Students will understand the basics of plant biology.”
Guide Instruction: Goals help teachers plan lessons, select activities, and decide how to assess learning.
Developmentally Appropriate: Goals should match students’ age, prior knowledge, and cognitive abilities, challenging them without causing frustration.
- Example:
  - Elementary: “Students will recognize basic shapes in the environment.”
  - High School: “Students will analyze geometric relationships in real-world problems.”
Connected to Learning Theories: Learning goals work best when aligned with how students learn.

- - Behaviorism: Practice skills to reinforce learning
  - Cognitivism: Focus on understanding and organizing information
  - Constructivism: Encourage exploration and problem-solving
  - Humanism: Support personal growth and choice
  - Connectivism: Includes collaboration and digital learning

Why This Matters:
Think of a learning goal as a destination on a map. Without it, lessons can feel random or unfocused. A clear goal ensures that instruction is purposeful, meaningful, and achievable for your students.

Did You Know?
A single learning goal can have multiple short-term objectives that guide daily lessons and help students reach the broader goal.

Is it a Goal or an Objective?

Goal → broad, general outcome
Objective → specific, measurable step

Is it Appropriate?

Now that we know what learning goals and objectives are, let’s explore how to make them developmentally appropriate for your students.

A developmentally appropriate goal is a learning goal that matches the age, cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional readiness of the students.

It considers what students are capable of understanding and doing at their stage of development.
The goal should be challenging but achievable, helping students grow without causing frustration.
It also considers students’ prior knowledge and experiences, building on what they already know.

Example:

Elementary Goal (Younger Students): “Students will recognize basic shapes in the environment.”
High School Goal (Older Students): “Students will analyze geometric relationships and apply them to real-world problems.”

The point of this lesson is to understand that learning goals provide the broad destination for student learning, while learning objectives are the specific, measurable steps that guide students toward that goal. By the end of the lesson, you should be able to distinguish goals from objectives and create clear, developmentally appropriate learning goals and objectives that match students’ abilities and readiness.

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN LESSON.