Have you ever wondered what makes a lesson truly successful from a student's point of view? It's not just about what the teacher thinks went well. This exercise challenges us to think about what success looks like for students. When would they rate a lesson a perfect 10?
A 10 doesn’t just reflect learning outcomes. It could also mean feeling proud of their effort, teamwork, or having the courage to ask questions. Ask your students what their personal success criteria are. By doing so, you give them a say in their learning journey and show that you care about their perspectives.
Start with a 10 at the Lesson's Beginning
Encourage students to define their own 10 at the start of the lesson. This sets a positive, personal learning goal. You're putting the power of achieving that 10 in their hands! It motivates them to engage with the lesson purposefully. Highlight that goals can include skills like teamwork, planning, focus, or persistence. At the lesson's end, reflect on whether they hit their 10. Did they reach it? What actions helped or hindered them?
Practical Steps to Achieve Success
Make the Goal Visible (1 minute): Begin with the lesson's aim, a thought-provoking question, or an image. Share what a 10 looks like for you. Then ask students: What would make this lesson a 10 for you? Emphasise that it's a personal goal. For some, mastering a tricky maths problem might be their 10, while others might focus on staying on task.
Students Set Their Success Criteria (2 minutes): Give students a moment to decide their success criteria. Use tools like a word cloud or open-ended questions. Encourage them to think broadly. For example:
- Content: I can apply this formula. I can explain why this event matters.
- Approach: I try solving problems myself first. I follow steps in my work.
- Attitude: I remain focused. I actively listen and contribute to my group.
Evaluate Your Own 10 (2 minutes): At the lesson's end, have students reflect. Ask: If your 10 was the goal, what grade would you give yourself now?
Encourage them to explain: Why did you choose this grade? What helped you? What could you do differently next time?
Value in Teaching and Learning
Students work with a clear goal in mind: By defining success for themselves, students are more aware of what they need to do and what to focus on.
Teachers gain insight into students' priorities: The responses reveal expectations, motivations, and potential challenges. You can see where students aim and where they might need extra help.
Success becomes personal and achievable: Every student defines success differently, allowing them to grow from their starting point.
Creating Engaging Lessons
The templates in this lesson use various interactive slides: open questions, word clouds, and polls. This shows you can offer variety while doing the same exercise. Use themes in LessonUp to give your lesson a neat, consistent look. Fonts, colours, backgrounds are all coordinated. To apply a theme, go to the settings menu on the right, click on Theme, and choose your preferred style. You can apply it to a single slide or the entire lesson.
Lesson duration is: 10 min