Students will be able to...
As the result of a recent requirement in my district, we are being asked to write both content and language objectives each day, post them for the class and recite them at the beginning of class. Although I am naturally repelled by things that are formulaic, this is something that, in theory, I can wrap my head around. The part that I am struggling to deal with, though, is that each objective is supposed to start with the phrase, "students will be able to" or SWBAT as has been shortened by a vast majority of teachers.
Now, there are exactly two pieces of this that rub me the wrong way.
- The SWBAT phrase negates the teacher as learner within the classroom and furthers the 'us vs. them' mentality.
- SWBAT is plain and simply boring.
So, as a means of complying with the spirit of the requirement, I have been devising new ways to introduce the content and language objectives. Here are some examples:
- Today for our learning enjoyment we will...
- In order to expand our gray matter today we will...
- Because we just can't get enough knowledge today we will...
- In an attempt to add to our already voluminous mental capacity today we will....
Now, I admit, some of this is meant to be silly, but if I am going to list something on the board everyday, it just can't start with SWBAT. The very acronym'izing' of the phrase shows how little the words actually mean to the overall message. So I have a request... I am in need of some other starters to make it through the 130 school days...