The state standards -- including the subject, standard number and description -- should be written in a visible spot where students can see and read it, such as on the front board. Lesson objectives should also be written in accordance to the standard being taught. Teachers should refer to and explain the standard and its objective in student-friendly words by writing and speaking a statement like, "We will learn the difference between adjectives and verbs by finding and differentiating them in sentences." This helps students understand the goal of the lesson and what they are supposed to do, giving kids more focused and less abstract learning.
Standards-based classrooms are typically arranged to promote various styles of learning. This is accomplished by providing areas within the classroom that foster individual, partner, group and whole class learning opportunities. Teachers may set up center stations, experiment tables and technology, such as computers and SMART boards, to encourage partner and small group work through various modalities. Educators should have clear instructions posted in such places, along with materials and resources for students to use to accomplish given standards-based tasks and to further explore concepts. Teachers can implement center rotations to teach, re-teach and embellish concepts within a small group of students through differentiated instruction based on learning levels. This allows the teacher to teach the standards on a smaller scale, seeing each group of students daily.
Planning in a standards-based classroom means organizing for a unit lesson-by-lesson. Plans books should explain the subject and standard being taught, objective of the lesson, resources used to teach the concept, differentiated forms of instruction and materials needed. Plan books should highlight reteaching days and strategies as well as types of assessments like specific projects, rubrics, individual work or tests.
Creating a standards-based classroom requires displaying reference points for students, such as standards-based work and assessments, word walls and instructional bulletin boards. Such displays should have the addressed unit and standard attached. Posting classroom rules and various procedures, such as schedules, center rotations, rules for lining up and the morning routine, help students become independent within the classroom.