Learning progressions can be defined as “the purposeful sequencing of teaching and learning expectations across multiple developmental stages, ages, or grade levels (Great Schools Partnership, 2013). This definition of learning progressions is my favourite one that I have seen this week. I like the use of the word “purposeful,” because I know that when I am able to understand the clear purpose behind a goal, I feel more motivated to accomplish that goal. As a teacher, I want to be able to understand the “why’s” behind why we must accomplish certain tasks in a specific way.

Learning progressions are extremely important because, as teachers, we cannot expect students to understand the learning in a new grade if they are still discovering how to understand the information at the current/lower grade level. For example, how could we expect a student to locate important information in a text (first grade) if they are at a stage where they are discovering how to identify the difference between a cover page and a title page of a book (kindergarten) (Great Schools Partnership, 2013)? Understanding learning progressions is important because as teachers, we also need to understand that learning occurs differently for everyone. Therefore, the sequencing of learning expectations will not occur in the same order of sequencing for every student. Since I am so new to teaching and still have a lot to learn, I am just only beginning to think about how: 1) the stages of learning progressions may be accomplished in a classroom, and 2) what I can do as a teacher if many students are at a different stage than others.

I think my biggest learning takeaway from the activity that we did in class regarding learning progressions included learning that I need to gain a better understanding of curriculum requirements. To be honest, I did not know where to start with this activity, considering I have never had a job in a classroom yet (I have volunteered) and had only heard of this term this week. I am excited to learn more about curriculum requirements and goals within certain grades or classrooms as time goes on.

References

Great Schools Partnership. (2013, August 29). Learning progression. The Glossary of

Education Reform. https://www.edglossary.org/learning-progression/