Rigor in the Classroom

Rigor in the ClassroomDECEMBER 11, 2012Standards:3. INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES: The teacher promotes student learning by using research-based instructional strategies relevant to the content to engage students in active learning and to facilitate the students acquisition of key knowledge skills.8. ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT: The teacher creates a student-centered, academic environment in which teaching and learning occur at high levels and students are self-directed learners.

Learning TargetTeachers will be able to define rigor.Teachers will be able to create a strategy to be used in the classroom using the LDC templates.Essential Questions:What is meant by adding rigor to a lesson?What are the essential components of a rigorous curriculum?What is RIGOR?

Hebrew ProverbDo not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.

Rigor?Rigor (n) An expectation that requires students to apply new learning to other disciplines and to predictable and unpredictable real-world situations.Relevance to real world!

Essential Components of Rigor in the Classroom Content acquisition new and oldCritical thinking- make them questionRelevance- make it important to them- real worldIntegration- across content areasAbility to apply conceptsLong term retentionResponsibility- Learners and Teachers8Barbara Blackburn, Rigor is NOT a 4-letter word!

R.I.G.O.R.R raise the level of contentExample: paired text that cover the same evnet, fiction vs. non-fiction sourceshave them compare facts on Wikipedia to textbook or other literature.I increase the complexity G give appropriate support and guidanceO Open your focusR raise expectations of your studentsWork Session Task: LDCLook at the examples and choose ONE that could be used in your classroom on a current standard. Fill in the blanks and be prepared to share with the group. 7 MINUTESCLOSING:We will continue to work on this topic! Bring daily classroom activities with you to the next session on January 22, 2012ExamplesWriting (journals, varied levels of writing, writing across the curriculum, etc.)Problem-solving (case studies, group activities, essay exams, etc.)Oral communication (debates w/expert judges, summary presentations, role playing)Reading/comprehension (reading and analyzing ie. in-class discussion, quizzes, summaries, etc) Collaborative group projects

The Art of Questioning?Research shows that the most recognized method to foster critical thinking is questioning.Research shows that 50% of teachers test questions are at a lower level. Questions should be chosen PURPOSEFULLY to achieve goals.