Ask LUDIAUniversal Design for Learning
Flexible Verbs for Crafting Goals
Verbs for writing goals that leave room for more than one way to learn and show learning
About This Resource
Use flexible verbs when you write learning goals. They describe what learners will understand or do, and leave room for more than one way to show it. Avoid inflexible verbs in learning goals, because they tie the goal to one way of working toward it.
The verb lists are shared with permission from Dr. Patti Kelly Ralabate, author of Your UDL Lesson Planner (2016). The full reference is at the end of this page.
How to Use This Page
- The picture is the original poster. The text version below it lists every verb.
- In the text version, each group has a heading, an icon and its own outline, so colour is never the only signal.
- The verbs are in alphabetical order.
- The visual version PDF matches the poster. Use the accessible PDF with a screen reader.
- Links to other sites open in a new tab.
Text Version
Flexible verbs (52 verbs)
Green columns on the poster.
- Analyze
- Answer
- Apply
- Apportion
- Calculate
- Choose
- Cite
- Clarify
- Combine
- Communicate
- Compare
- Compose
- Compute
- Construct
- Convey
- Correct
- Create
- Decipher
- Decrease
- Deduce
- Defend
- Define
- Demonstrate
- Describe
- Determine
- Devise
- Display
- Distinguish
- Equate
- Exhibit
- Explain
- Express
- Formulate
- Identify
- Illustrate
- Indicate
- Interpret
- Judge
- Pick
- Predict
- Present
- Produce
- Prove
- Recognize
- Reveal
- Revise
- Select
- Share
- Show
- Solve
- Specify
- Tally
Inflexible verbs to avoid in goals (26 verbs)
These verbs tie a goal to one way of working toward it. Orange column on the poster.
- Add
- Articulate
- Copy
- Decode
- Diagram
- Divide
- Draw
- Graph
- Mark
- Multiply
- Name
- Orate
- Outline
- Point
- Pronounce
- Read
- Recite
- Replicate
- Say
- Speak
- State
- Subtract
- Take
- Talk
- Transcribe
- Write
Reference
Ralabate, P. K. (2016). Your UDL lesson planner: The step-by-step guide for teaching all learners. Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
The verb lists are shared with permission. Find Your UDL Lesson Planner at Brookes Publishing
This resource was created by Beth Stark, Inclusive Learning Systems. Beth Stark's design and wording are licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. The verb lists remain the work of Patti Kelly Ralabate and Brookes Publishing.