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DailySpark: Developing Quality Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for Teacher Clarity

Design, communicate, and use learning intentions and success criteria so that students gain clarity, ownership, and confidence in their learning.

5 Hours | 30 Lessons | Video Instruction

What you will learn

We are learning how to design, communicate, and use learning intentions and success criteria so that students gain clarity, ownership, and confidence in their learning.

Educators will be successful when they can:

  • Explain the difference between tasks and learning, and articulate learning intentions as the what and why of learning.
  • Write clear, specific, and observable success criteria that show what meeting the intention looks like.
  • Reference learning intentions and success criteria throughout lessons (beginning, middle, and end) to guide feedback, discussion, and self-assessment.
  • Align assessments and classroom activities directly with learning intentions and success criteria so expectations remain consistent.
  • Draft lesson-sized learning intentions in student-facing language (e.g., “We are learning to…” or “I am learning how…”).
  • Use a variety of success criteria formats (I can statements, rubrics, exemplars, checklists) to fit different types of learning.
  • Involve students by co-constructing criteria, modeling self-assessment, and using criteria for peer- and self-feedback.
  • Extend clarity by creating evergreen success criteria (for discussions, collaboration, etc.) and family-friendly versions that strengthen home–school connections.

Overview

Clarity is one of the most powerful influences on student learning. When students know what they’re learning, why they’re learning it, and how they’ll know they’ve succeeded, they become more engaged, focused, and independent.

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Course format

DailySpark is a professional learning series that delivers short daily videos with simple action items, helping K-12 educational professionals grow through small, consistent steps that build sustainable habits over time. Released intentionally one weekday at a time, email notifications will be sent Monday through Friday. This approach allows you to apply one strategy at a time, reflect on it, and gradually integrate it into your practice without adding workload, making professional growth part of your everyday rhythm.

  • Introduction
  • Day 1: What is Teacher Clarity
  • Day 2: The Four Dimensions of Clarity
  • Day 3: Task vs Learning
  • Day 4: Finding the Skills and Concepts in Standards
  • Day 5: Misconceptions About Clarity
  • Day 6: Student-Facing Language
  • Day 7: Writing Bite-Sized Intentions
  • Day 8: Checking for Alignment
  • Day 9: Making Intentions Visible
  • Day 10: AI as a Drafting Partner
  • Day 11: What Success Criteria Do
  • Day 12: Refining Vague Criteria
  • Day 13: Different Types of Success Criteria
  • Day 14: Common Pitfalls in Success Criteria
  • Day 15: AI for Success Criteria
  • Day 16: Modeling Success
  • Day 17: Referencing Throughout the Lesson
  • Day 18: Checking Alignment
  • Day 19: Modeling Self-Assessment
  • Day 20: Self-Assessment with Criteria
  • Day 21: Using Self-Assessment Data
  • Day 22: Single-Point Rubrics
  • Day 23: Evergreen Success Criteria
  • Day 24: Incremental Success Criteria
  • Day 25: Co-Constructing Criteria
  • Day 26: Using AI Across a Unit
  • Day 27: Use Success Criteria on Assessments
  • Day 28: Collaborating on LI/SC
  • Day 29: Family-Friendly LI/SC
  • Day 30: Celebrate and Spread Clarity
  • Conclusion


Who this course is for

This course is designed for K-12 educational professionals at all levels—from classroom teachers to district administrators—who are committed to advancing instructional quality, whether you're directly teaching students, supporting teachers, or leading educational initiatives.

 

Meet the thought leaders

Douglas Fisher photo

Douglas Fisher

Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Fisher was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as Your Introduction to. Full bio
Nancy Frey photo

Nancy Frey

Nancy Frey is a professor in educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Her published titles include The Courage to Learn, The Art and Science of Coaching, How Scaffolding Works, and The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning. Frey is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California and learns from teachers and students every day. Full bio
Teaching working on computer


$15

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This course also includes:

  • 90-Day Course Access
  • 30 Instructional Lessons
  • Practical Classroom Application
  • Course Learning Log
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Available in US and Canada only

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