Visible Curriculum: Standards, Learning Targets and Unit Design by Melissa Butler

Melissa Butler

butlermel — 2026-02-18 18:28:53 UTC

I NOTICE: The NYSED docs specifies between the Standards (required) and the curriculum (Locally decided).

I WONDER: Isn't the curriculum what students are learning, and isn't that always driven by the standards?

2026-02-23 15:36:00 UTC

I NOTICE: In my child's classroom learning, that student centered earning is very important. This type of learning must increase student engagement.

I WONDER: How can the students engagement be when a teacher doesn't present a clear learning target?

Kar

2026-02-23 15:37:15 UTC

I NOTICE: There is a lot of imagery in the NYSED docs, along with the explanation of what the images go along with.

I WONDER: How are the standards chosen?

Emma Akey

2026-02-23 15:37:26 UTC

I notice: Learning targets are short and straight to the point they don't use unnecessary words.

I wonder:Why are they so important in effective classrooms.

2026-02-23 15:37:45 UTC

I NOTICE: The standards are used to make the "I can" learning targets. The standards being the state requirements, but how the learning targets and explained and taught through curriculum is up to teacher discretion.

I WONDER: Although the standards are set in everything, (Curriculum, instruction and assessment) just how much does it impact how teaching is carried out between schools and teachers.

Brooke Meyer

2026-02-23 15:37:49 UTC

I NOTICE:

In the diagram on the Standards and My Child's Classroom Learning, that each learning standard - instruction, curriculum, and assessment - are all equally funneling into the students' learning.

I WONDER:

Is there one aspect that is more important than the other when it comes to the students' learning? Or has NYS identified these three components as equal in hopes to bring light to teachers' understanding of these concepts effectiveness when it comes to teaching?

2026-02-23 15:38:53 UTC

I NOTICE: That each paper has a learning target. And that the "Magic triangle" is similarly shown as student learnign bubbles.

I WONDER: How hard is it for kids to focus on intended learning and not intended doing.

Sophie Spanburgh

2026-02-23 15:39:34 UTC

I NOTICED: Learning targets can be specific and that they are often very recurring throughout the lesson.

I WONDER: How teachers organize their lessons while balancing state standards and local curriculum while also adding in engaging aspects.

Fiona Sullivan

2026-02-23 15:40:18 UTC

I NOTICE: That NYSED has control over the standards, but teachers have creative control when it comes to the instruction aspect. And when it comes to the curriculum it is designed by teachers while still being driven from the standards.

I WONDER: How often do the standards change? is every so many years? or every year?