Can Do Statements are essential to backwards design. They are what keep us focused on what our students will be able to do with the language they are learning.
I wanted to find ways for students to use the statements actively and regularly throughout a unit. I’ve used various paper versions, but I took on the task of finding a way to do this digitally and in a way that lets me check in on student progress at any time.
I initially started with a Google Form, but the data was only available to me, not to students once they submitted it. I then moved on to several versions using Google Sheets. This is the one that has worked the best.
The sheet is set up with the Can Do Statements for the unit.
As we progress through the unit, students choose their current ability to meet the objective by choosing from the drop-down menu to the right of the statement.
I have the responses set to change color for easy identification.
When students choose “with confidence” they type in an example to show that they can meet the statement objective.
When shared through Google Classroom I set the assignment to make a copy for each student and then I can check in on their progress individually. I have been particularly impressed with the conversations about proficiency that come up. Students take an active role in concretely understanding where they are and what they need to do to level up and meet the goal.
It took some time to figure out how to best do the drop down menu and have the cells change color, but I eventually figured it out. Good news is that you can can copy the Google Sheet directly to your Google Drive.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Color coding the drop-down choices makes it easy to see students’ confidence in each area.
The color-coding gives a quick idea of progress for sure, and students feel good each time they are able to get to green.
Thank you!! Very helpful!
Great to hear that this will be helpful for you and your students.
OMG!!!! Thank you soo much for this. I’ve been using I Can Statements at the end of the unit and having kids go back through their notes to figure out what they were able to do with the language. I was looking for a way that they can use it continually for good feedback and this totally works.
Happy to hear that this will be useful for you.
I love this. Muchas gracias.
De nada.
Than you!
My pleasure.
This is great! How do you do this in a school day? Do you devote a class period to assessment or is it whenever the student feels he/she can check it off?
I plan 5-10 minutes every 2-3 days for students to focus on it in class. The first time a bit longer.
Beautiful!!!
Do you give the students any feedback based on their responses?
Yes. It’s good to have them do these in class if possible so that you can check in with them in real time.