Learning-Intentions Board
WALT / WILF display template, blank.
A Learning-Intentions Board is a blank WALT (We Are Learning To) and WILF (What I'm Looking For) display template that teachers print, laminate, and mount in the classroom to communicate the purpose of every lesson to students. The large-format layout provides clearly framed boxes for the learning intention, the success criteria, and an optional 'Why are we learning this?' purpose statement — giving students a transparent view of what the lesson is about and how they will know when they have succeeded. Kindergarten through to secondary teachers use the board as a daily anchor for explicit teaching. It is particularly effective at the start of a lesson when the teacher refers to it during the orientation phase, and again at the end when students self-assess against the stated criteria. Because the template is entirely blank, teachers can write on it with a whiteboard marker each day, replenishing content for every new session without printing a new copy.
Learning objectives
- Make the lesson's learning purpose visible and explicit to all students
- Provide clear success criteria so students can self-assess their progress
- Connect the day's activity to a broader learning goal or curriculum standard
- Support metacognitive awareness by helping students understand why they are learning
- Create a consistent classroom routine that signals the start of focused learning
- Facilitate formative assessment conversations between teacher and students
How to use this template
- Download and print the template at A3 or A2 size for classroom visibility, then laminate it for reuse.
- Mount the laminated board in a prominent position — near the whiteboard or entrance — at a height all students can read.
- At the start of each lesson, use a whiteboard marker to write the WALT statement and the WILF success criteria in the labelled sections.
- Read the learning intention aloud with students and briefly discuss what success will look like before beginning the lesson.
- At the lesson's close, return to the board with students and ask them to evaluate whether they have met the success criteria.
Classroom & home ideas
- Ask students to copy the WALT and WILF into their notebooks at the start of the lesson as a focusing activity before instruction begins.
- Use the 'Why are we learning this?' section to link the lesson to real-world relevance, building student motivation and engagement.
- Photograph the completed board each day as a quick record for lesson observation documentation or portfolio evidence.
- In paired or group work, have students refer back to the WILF criteria to guide peer feedback conversations.
- Use a different colour marker for each subject so students quickly recognise which learning area is the focus when they enter the room.
Skills & curriculum links
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between WALT and WILF?
WALT (We Are Learning To) states the skill or knowledge being developed. WILF (What I'm Looking For) describes the observable evidence or quality indicators that show the learning has occurred.
Should I use this board for every lesson?
Yes — consistency is key. Even a brief two-minute reference to the board at the start and end of each lesson builds the routine that makes it effective for student self-regulation.
Can I adapt this template for digital display rather than a printed board?
Absolutely. The blank design works as a projected slide template too. Print the laminated version for permanent display and replicate the layout in your slideshow for screen projection.
Is a Learning-Intentions Board suitable for early childhood classrooms?
Yes. For younger students, supplement the written intention with a simple illustration or a verbal explanation, and keep the WILF criteria to one or two concrete, observable actions.
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