Not all learning can be defined in specific, quantitative terms. An overview of the direction a lesson will take prepares learners for the task they are about to undertake. It gives them an appropriate mind set.

As a teacher begins a lesson it can be related to previous accomplishments, difficulties, or future needs. By the end of a lesson a teacher may be able to help children achieve specific behaviors related to the general objective. These can be identified in behavioral terms.

Examples:

"Yesterday you were unable to complete the scrapbook because you were unsure of how to sequence the material we collected. Today we are going to place the materials on a large space and talk about several possible sequences for the materials in our book."

General Objective - Skill - To learn about several ways of sequencing material in a book.

"Today we are going to learn about various kinds of questions we can ask the resource speaker who is coming tomorrow. Knowing how to ask good questions can help us find good answers."

General Objective - Skill - To learn how to ask questions which will lead toward finding desired answers.

"Today we are going to practice writing events on a time line. Then we will be able to make time lines about our own lives."

General Objective - Skill - To learn how to write items on a time line.

"Today we are going to use our map flash cards and practice the names of the countries in Europe. Then we will be better able to understand events we hear about on the news.

General Objective - Knowledge - To learn the names of the countries of Europe.

"Yesterday we enjoyed marching around the circle while I played 'Stars and Stripes Forever' on the tape player. John Philip Sousa composed that music. Today we will pretend that we have musical instruments used in the band and are playing them as we march along. On the bulletin board you looked at earlier you saw people playing some of these instruments."

General Objective - Affective - To enjoy and respond to march music.

"Yesterday we enjoyed rolling different sizes of balls. Today we will stand even farther apart and still try to roll and catch them."

General Objective - Psychomotor - To provide an enjoyable experience rolling and catching balls of various sizes and to help children improve their skills of holding, pushing, and catching a ball.