Rigor: Raising the Peak of a Lesson

A simple 3-step protocol for raising the level of rigor in a lesson.

This resource is a followup to Finding the Peak of a Lesson, which helps teachers identify the level of rigor of a lesson.

We can raise the level of rigor in a lesson by raising its most challenging point (i.e. “the peak”).

What is it?

A simple 3-step protocol that teachers can use to raise the Depth of Knowledge level of their own lessons.

• 1 page handout available in Google Doc or Word format.
• Guiding questions that walk teachers through the protocol step by step.
• Can be printed or completed online.

When to use this?

• Teachers may understand what Depth of Knowledge is in concept but find it challenging to apply to their own lessons.
• Teachers recognize that they need to increase the level of rigor in their lessons, but struggle in making the necessary changes.
• Administrators and coaches have observed that classroom instruction is not reaching higher levels of rigor (DOK 3 & 4).

How was this DESIGNED for ACTION?

Adult learning principles taken from The 4 Principles of Designing Actionable Professional Development.

Principle 2: Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis for the learning activities.

• Gives teachers the opportunity to make changes to their lesson and receive feedback BEFORE they actually teach the lesson.

Principle 3: Adults are most interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance and impact to their job or personal life.

• Teachers are making changes to their own personal lessons in the context of their own students.

Principle 4: Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented.

• Protocol gives teachers a challenging task (i.e. revising and enhancing a lesson) rather than having them passively receive content.

Get the resources!

The following resources are available for download from our Google Drive folder.

• Printable version of the protocol available as a Google Doc or Microsoft Word document.
• A version of the protocol that can be completed online as a Google Doc.

Let us know what you think …

We’d love to get your thoughts about this activity using our Feedback Form.

It’s free to join!