BAG TECHNIQUE Bag technique-a tool making use of public health bag through wh...
Editor's Notes
Introduce self.
Imagine for a moment, that you were accused of a serious crime you did not commit and were on trial for your life. How confident would you be of getting a fair trial if the members of your jury had merely met the intellectual standards of our college-prep courses as they exist today? Certainly they would know how to memorize information and perform on multiple-choice and short-answer tests. But would your jurors know how to analyze an argument, weigh evidence, recognize bias (their own and others’), distinguish fact from opinion, and be able to balance the sometimes competing principles of justice and mercy? Could they listen with both a critical mind and a compassionate heart and communicate clearly what they understand? Would they know how to work with others to seek the truth?
To get started, let’s understand what rigor does not mean. (Read slide)
This is tough, but we must remember that more is not always better. If a child has mastered a concept and can complete an assignment in a matter of minutes, then they need more challenge and engagement, not more problems.
Barbara Blackburn is the guru of Rigorous instruction. You will see her “textbook” definition any where that rigor is discussed. I truly believe she sums it up best. (Read the definition)
Here are some GREAT examples of what rigor actually is. As you will see, they each differ a small amount, but the big picture is still the same. (Call on someone to read each definition) Discuss what each one means.
Tell my story of rigorous learning while receiving my teacher certification. I was in the PPR course. The course required lots of reading, research, hands-on manipulatives, cooperative learning groups, designing of classroom layouts and even problem solving with real-life scenarios. When I left the class each week, I felt mentally and physically exhausted, but yet so proud and accomplished. I was proud of what I had learned and could not wait to apply it to my real-life. Clearly, the content of the course was relevant to me and I could apply real-life experiences to my learning. But what made it truly rigorous in my eyes, is that it was, “sink my teeth” into it in-depth work. Show “Rigor” video.
Now that you have reminisced about your past rigorous experience, let’s create our own definition of rigor. As I mentioned earlier, rigor is a hot topic all across the nation. Here are two personal expressions of rigor from individuals in Washington State. I thought they put a great perspective on a rigorous learning environment. You can make visuals in the classroom fun. Your room décor should be relevant to the material being taught. Having self-made or student made décor that expresses the material being discussed is a great way to make the classroom environment relevant to the child. (Do a door prize while they are working)
Number off each person and have them work with partner to share their rigorous experience. Have the each partner ask one another the questions in blue and take turns answering. Ask if anyone heard a really good rigorous experience that they would like their partner to share. If not many people volunteer, have presenters choose a door prize.
