We use this Levels of Understanding Target Poster in our secondary literacy (Strategic Reading) classes to help students pre-assess their level of understanding of a literacy strategy (pre-instruction), and reevaluate their understanding upon completion of instruction. The question prompts for each level are intended to ignite students’ ability to verbalize what they know and what they still need to know or be able to do.
The complexity of the thinking for this process falls under the metacognitive level of the Marzano taxonomy under Monitoring Accuracy: “The student can determine how accurate their understanding of knowledge is and defend their judgment.”
Here is a sample plan for how to use this resource:
- Prior to engaging in new learning, students reflect on the learning target (or standard/objective) for the day’s instruction and rate their current understanding. We have students write the learning target (or standard/objective) on their exit slip form (not included here).
- At the close of an instruction segment, students reconsider and reflect on how their level of understanding has developed. They again choose a rating from the target.
- In writing, students explain and justify their rating choice using reflection prompts prepared for each level.
My collaborator, a talented former graphic designer turned educator, and I are now beginning the process of adding our literacy intervention and general instructional resources on Teachers Pay Teachers. This free resource is our first offering. If you are interested in particular types of resources for literacy intervention, please let us know. It is probably in our vault somewhere.