Rigor in the Classroom

CONTENT
Rigorous content is cognitively complex, thought-provoking, challenging and conceptual.
Rigor in Math

Rigor in ELA

Rigor in Social
Studies

Rigor in
Science
The content isClassroo
open ended. It

Students can articulate what they are

learning using precise mathematical
vocabulary, can ask quality questions and
choose the method of problem-solving.
[Students show evidence of strategic
thinking and are given problems with more
than one possible solution. or nontraditional solutions]

the essential question is highly thought The essential question is highly

provoking, prompting active
thought
engages students in Higher
student engagement. [Frames
provoking. [Frames central theme of the Order Thinking Skills (H.O.T.S.)

The work prompts students to apply math

concepts in various contexts, to use out of
the box thinking and a variety of skills and
techniques. It also requires students to call
upon past learning. [Students engage in
more extended thinking requiring complex
reasoning and planning which may require
extended time on task.]

students are asking questions of one

another (Blooms: Evaluating &
Creating) and are supporting their
interpretations of the text with
evidence. [Students pose insightful

Teacher asks questions at critical thinking

level. Students apply and analyze, prove
understanding, use pure mathematics and
synthesize information. [Student exchange
is encouraged. Students may extend the
answers of their peers.]

students are able to draw parallels

among
texts read both inside and outside of
class that do not have obvious
connections. [Able to include judgments

central theme of the unit, can be

broken down into smaller questions,
relates to real-world problems, and is
meaningful & relevant to lives of
students.]

questions; expand/extend each others

responses, work collaboratively to develop
thoughtful responses.]

or reflections about the actions of

characters in both texts.]

students are making Interdisciplinary

connections without prompting.

unit, can be broken down into smaller

and requires students to
questions, relates to real-world problems,
discover and defend concepts.
and is meaningful & relevant to lives of
[Students are able to justify a response
learners.]
when more than one answer is possible,
cite evidence and develop logical
arguments for concepts.]

The content is consistently transferred

through multiple perspectives. [Analyze Students discover content

multiple perspectives within or across time through inquiry and project

periods, events, or cultures. Define and
based learning which includes
illustrate common themes {social, political, collaboration and choice. [Choices
economic, or geographic} and how they
are developed based on student interests
interrelate.
and/or learning styles. Collaborative
process is clearly defined.]

The content is closely connected to

student
lives, making it highly relevant.

Student projects are unique

and/or individualized to answer
student chosen questions.
Students are consistently challenged Discovery leads to more
to bring meaning to their learning
questions being asked.
through the content. [Students are
Conclusions are defended /
committed to the learning experience as
explained with student observed
something that is an essential part of
evidence. Students show
meeting future goals and aspirations.]
ownership and mastery over
content. [Students are asked to devise
an approach among several alternatives
to solve a problem and apply
generalizations to new problems or
investigations.]

Rigor in the Classroom

CONTENT
Rigorous content is cognitively complex, thought-provoking, challenging and conceptual.
Rigor in Math

Rigor in ELA
students can identify and explain a
writers
stylistic choices (e.g. purpose, theme)
and can support their thoughts with
evidence.
[Students analyze complex themes,
perspectives, and concepts to critique a text
using reasoning and evidence to support
inferences.]

Rigor in Social
Studies
Interdisciplinary connections are
made
throughout the content.

Blooms to guide and scaffold

learning. Specialized vocabulary
from previous lessons is
It consistently challenges students to
appropriately applied to new
uncover depth of content over
breadth of content. [Gather, organize, &situations. Objectives are made
synthesize information from multiple print relevant to students and relate to
and non-print sources. Research, define interdisciplinary / universal themes.
and describe a given problem/solution

the lesson is diferentiated to meet the scenario and provide alternate solutions.
learning needs of the students (leveled Make predictions with supportive
texts). [Students may select from a range of evidence from multiple sources.]
reading materials and learning
tasks/independent projects.]

students regularly read and analyze

complex texts. [Texts contain very long
passages, integrated signposting, literary
devices, use competing layers of meaning,
implicit or subtle purpose & theme, much
figurative language, extensive academic
vocab., and complex sentence structure.]

nonfiction texts are seamlessly

integrated into the curriculum.

Rigor in
Science
Classroo
Objective spans
all levels of

The content is consistently supported

by
challenging primary and secondary
sources. [{Students select and use
multiple real-world resources and locate
new or unique resources to complete their
work.]

Content knowledge is consistently

supported through discipline specific
vocabulary.
The content consistently challenges
students to work through the design

ENVIRONMENT
Rigorous environments ensure students perform at their maximum potential while building their will to
persevere.
Rigor in Math

The classroom is student-driven and

student-led; students are the experts in
the room; the teacher is the facilitator.
[Formal structures are in place for
collaborative small group problem
solving, and it occurs regularly.]
The classroom environment is
consistently
student centered. [Socratic seminars,
formally structured small group
collaborative work, project-based learning.
Students are able to select from a range of
reading materials and learning
tasks/independent projects.]

Rigor in ELA

It is student-centered; it provides
multiple
opportunities for students to
interact with and learn from one
another (peer review, Socratic
Seminars). [Structured collaborative

Rigor in Social
Studies

Rigor in
Science
Classroo

The students are aware of the

goal(s); models are provided and
expectations are clearly explained.

Students are comfortable with

the expectation that they ask
and answer complex questions
with small group collaborative work &
of their peers. Students
research. Evidence of leveled
defend statements with
text/reading resources to meet
evidence. Students are
readiness levels to make content
manageable, some curriculum
involved in developing their
compacting.]
own workflow when working
High academic & behavioral standards cooperatively. [Formal structures

[Learning objectives posted and

consistently referred to during lesson;
rubric s are routinely used, and student
work is shared and analyzed for

Students often have a high level of

group work, reciprocal teaching,

literature circles]

High academic & behavioral standards are High academic & behavioral standards
always maintained.
are
always maintained; the classroom is a
Students always have a high level of
safe place for students to take risks
and share their thoughts and ideas.
ownership
of their learning including grades and
Students understand the importance of
student
continuous improvement; they are
performance data.
regularly provided with opportunities
The climate & culture of the classroom is to take ownership of their learning
(student performance data).
consistently collaborative.

The classroom environment is often

student
centered. [Inquiry based instruction

are
often maintained.

The climate & culture of the

classroom is
often collaborative.
The classroom is highly stimulating
for students with the rich use of
content area resources available.
[Students and teachers use multiple
real-world resources and technology
applications. Students engage in
project-based learning based on
individual interest.]

exist for collaborative learning with

high expectations valued by all.
Students are able to share and use
their learning to advance the work of
the group.]

All students are required to

answer. Students are prepared to
defend their answer or describe
the process to reach their answer
and submit their answer to peer
review. There is a culture of
content immersion in the
classroom and trust among peers.

ENVIRONMENT
Rigorous environments ensure students perform at their maximum potential while building their will to
persevere.
Rigor in Math

The classroom is highly stimulating for

students
with the rich use of content area resources
available. [Students and teachers use multiple
real-world resources and technology
applications. Students engage in project-based
learning based on individual interest.]

Rigor in ELA

Rigor in Social
Studies

Technology is regularly used by

The classroom consistently fosters
students
risk-taking in the thinking of students.
and the teacher to enhance instruction
(e.g. blogs). [Students and teachers use
Students are consistently challenged
multiple real-world resources and
to refect on their own learning;
technology applications.]
journals, rubrics, Cornell notes.
Students are challenged to refect on
their
own learning (journals, rubrics).
Common procedures (e.g. Cornell
notes,
pre, during and post-reading &

Common procedures are shared

through all
grade levels of the discipline;
questioning
techniques, discussion starters,
research process.

Rigor in
Science
Students design
and critique their
Classroo
own labs (and peers) based on
observations / initial questions
that they own. Students keep a
portfolio / journal for reflection
and tracking growth. Extension
activities developed by students
as next steps.

{Students are able to conduct a designed

investigation and draw conclusions from
experimental or observational data and
are able to apply generalizations to a new
problem, simulation, or investigation.]

The classroom space / use of

time / format fuidly changes to
meet the needs of learning and
may often be asynchronous i.e.
students may be working
differently from each other at any
given time.

SKILLS
Rigorous skills foster independent, self-directed and productive learners who are creative and
critical thinkers, problem- solvers, and innovators.
Rigor in Math
Students are self-directed and productive;
they are completing tasks on their own.
[Students interact with other students to
collaboratively advance their learning.]

Rigor in ELA

Rigor in Social
Studies

Students set goals for their own

learning
outcomes and determine criteria
for success.
Students consistently use
metacognition/
active
reading
strategies
Students
participate
inwithout
high

Students are able to investigate future

concepts and can apply past and present
skills without coaching. [Continually
evaluate the reasonableness of their
results, intermediate and final.]
Students are able to transfer
mathematical knowledge and use it
in other disciplines to solve
unfamiliar problems. [Are able to
connect to real-world situations and
applications.]

level
discussions, generate questions
that
require a high level of thinking and/or
produce writing that is supported with
evidence
from multiple
texts.
Students understand
the
value of
revising
and reflecting

upon

their

work.

[Peer
editing
and
revising
are
established practices. Published work
requires drafts, and re-writes. Writing
portfolios are maintained to track
student progress over time.]

Students are provided with

opportunities to participate in projectbased learning.
Students are able to transfer
knowledge
and skills to other tasks; the teacher
scafolds the learning for the students.

Students are consistently highly

engaged in
authentic problem-solving in the
content area.

Rigor in
Science
Classroo

The students work together

without teacher intervention in
discovering new knowledge (new
to student or science). Students
Students are consistently called on to
support thinking/conclusions orally or will work outside their comfort
zone as needed to grow skills.
in writing using evidence.

Students are consistently challenged

to develop solutions to real-life and
historical problems.

Content based lessons consistently

build inquiry based skills in students
calling on them to ask their own
questions and develop their own
answers about the content. [Students
work to develop critical and creative
thinking questions and to craft elaborated
responses. Student created questions
may become part of performance

Students learn through project-based

learning.
Students are consistently challenged
to
complete performance-based
assessments that call on them to

Students incorporate a variety of

appropriate presentation styles /
tools / aides to cohesively
present findings to an interactive
audience.
Students ask testable questions
and develop implementable
tests which will provide reliable
results.

SKILLS
Rigorous skills foster independent, self-directed and productive learners who are creative and
critical thinkers, problem- solvers, and innovators.
Rigor in Math

Rigor in ELA
students build critical thinking,
communication, and collaboration
skills on a daily basis.

Rigor in Social
Studies
Students build critical thinking,
communication,and collaboration
skills on a daily basis. [Formal
structures are utilized for collaborative
group work and project-based learning.
Socratic seminars used to develop higher
order questioning sand collaborative

Rigor in
Science
Classroo