AI Learning Target Generator for Teachers

How it works

From topic to student-facing learning target in four steps.

Enter the standard or lesson topic

The teacher enters the lesson topic in plain language and can add a curriculum standard (for example, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.8: 'Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text'). They select the subject and level. The template fills in the topic and names the standard; it does not read the standard or set a Bloom's taxonomy level.

AI generates student-facing "I can" statements

The AI produces 2-4 learning target options written in student-friendly language, each with its Bloom's level named. For the RI.8.8 standard, the target might read: 'I can identify the main claim and supporting evidence in an argument and explain whether the evidence actually supports the claim.' The AI uses age-appropriate vocabulary, a target for 2nd grade sounds different from a target for 10th grade.

Select, refine, and add success criteria

The teacher selects the best learning target and uses the draft's success criteria, the specific, observable evidence that would demonstrate the target has been met. Success criteria can break the learning target into concrete steps: 'I know I have achieved this when I can... (1) identify the claim in the text, (2) list the evidence provided, (3) explain whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient.' Success criteria are the bridge between the target and the task.

Display in classroom and embed in lesson plan

Project the learning target at the start of class and refer to it throughout the lesson. Paste it into a lesson plan from the AI Lesson Plan Generator to keep the target, activities, and assessment coherent. Students can reference the target and success criteria throughout the lesson to monitor their own understanding.

Visible learning works, when targets are written for students

John Hattie's synthesis of education research, known as "visible learning", stresses making learning goals clear to students. But visible learning only works when students understand the target. A learning objective written in standards language does not help a 6th grader know what success looks like. The AI generator gives clear "I can" statements in place of that standards language, for the teacher to make specific and age-appropriate, that students can read, understand, and use to guide their own learning.

What the generator includes

Every learning target is student-facing and ready to display.

Verbs across Bloom's levels

The three targets move from explaining, to using, to justifying. If the standard targets analysis, the teacher can use analysis-level verbs ('I can compare,' 'I can distinguish,' 'I can examine.' If the standard targets application, the teacher can use application verbs) 'I can use,' 'I can demonstrate,' 'I can solve.' The teacher can also write targets at a different Bloom's level, for example, a recall-level warm-up target before introducing a higher-order lesson target.

Vocabulary you adjust for the grade

A learning target for 2nd grade must use different language than a target for 12th grade, even when they address the same core skill. The AI calibrates vocabulary, sentence complexity, and reading level to the school level the teacher chooses. Elementary targets use concrete, action-oriented language ('I can sort living things into groups'). Secondary targets use more academic language ('I can classify organisms using taxonomic criteria').

Success criteria

A learning target tells students what they will learn. Success criteria tell them what it looks like when they have learned it. The AI generates success criteria for each target, specific, observable, and student-checkable. When students can self-assess against success criteria during a lesson, they take more ownership of their learning and ask more productive questions when they are stuck.

Standard named on the draft

Teachers can enter any curriculum standard (CCSS, NGSS, IB, CBSE, state standards) and the AI converts it into 2-4 student-facing learning target options. Standards are written for curriculum designers, not for students. The student-facing targets help bridge that gap.

For classroom display

Put the learning target and success criteria on the board at the front of the room. Show the target at the start, revisit the success criteria mid-lesson, and return to the target at the end for a closing reflection.

Targets across a unit

Teachers can run the generator for each topic in a unit. The teacher can sequence the targets in a logical progression, starting with foundational knowledge targets, building through comprehension and application, and finishing with analysis and evaluation targets. The sequence becomes the unit-level learning progression that guides both teaching and assessment design.

Who uses the learning target generator

K-12 classroom teachers use the generator to produce a student-facing learning target for every lesson. Posting targets consistently can help students self-direct their work and ask productive questions because they understand what the lesson is trying to achieve.

Instructional coaches use the generator during coaching cycles to help teachers translate curriculum standards into visible learning targets. Coaching sessions can use the generated targets as a starting point for discussion.

Teachers across the department can adopt consistent language for the same standards rather than each writing their own version.

Special education teachers can adapt the generated targets, with simplified vocabulary and concrete success criteria, for students with learning differences. The AI can generate targets at multiple reading levels from the same standard, allowing teachers to differentiate the target language while maintaining grade-level standards alignment.