District Initiative-Academic Rigor

Academic Rigor is learning through …

strategically, intentionally planned curriculum
focused and aligned standards
diverse and multiple learning styles, needs, and experiences
immersing students as workers, investigators, and problem solvers
utilizing critical, creative, and higher order thinking skills
generating student self-discovery and intellectual engagement through new ideas, meanings, and knowledge
working with challenging text and mediums that pose dilemmas, conduct inquiry, take positions, examine multiple meanings, and apply to current life situations.

Questioning –How will I know I am successful?

Teachers will:

Intentionally and strategically plan questions and how to ask them at the right time to be a catalyst for powerful, exciting, and memorable learning.
Frame their questions around knowledge, skills, and big ideas that students needs to learn.
Choose the right type, kind, and level of questioning to reinforce and intensify different kinds of learning.

Students will:

Formulate questions and initiate topics.
Initiate discussion participation through self or teacher direction.
Build upon the contributions of others through relevant and meaningful responses/ questions.

Effective questioning puts learning ahead of activities.

Engagement – How will I know I have it?

Teachers will:

Strategically and intentionally utilize the questions planned for their instructional purpose.
Provide learning tasks that are relevant, meaningful, and important.
Provide a productive mix of different types of groupings and learning opportunities suitable for lesson objectives.
Be passionate about teaching.

Students will:

Engagement is NOT just keeping students busy!