1. rigor
February 2017

2. Learning Targets Participants will…
Deepen understanding of rigorous instruction and learning
Network with colleagues to gather information and ideas about actions taken to increase rigorous instruction and learning
Reflect on information gathered and begin prioritizing next steps for increasing rigorous instruction and learning

3. Deepen understanding What? Block Party Protocol
Why? To deepen understanding and discuss insights related to rigorous instruction and learning.
How? Use the Block Party protocol below:
Select quotes and spend a few minutes reflecting upon quote’s meaning for your work.
Mingle and share quotes in pairs. Share with three others in 3-5 minute segments.
(Optional) Form quads that include quotes from each DOK level. Discuss implications for future work in increasing rigorous instruction and learning.
20 minutes
Use the Block Party protocol to introduce participants to the article Pursuing the Depths of Knowledge by Nancy Boyles. This article can be found in the October 2016 edition of Educational Leadership.
This is a fairly short “warm-up” activity that is intended to assist participants in thinking about future planning for work related to increasing rigorous instruction and learning in their districts. If discussions are not completed by the end of the 20 minute time slot, districts can continue discussion during the networking and planning time.

4. Pursuing the Depths of Knowledge by Nancy Boyles
Educational Leadership
October 2016
Vol.74 No. 2
Link to abstract
leadership/oct16/vol74/num02/abstract.aspx#Pursuing_the_Depths_of_Knowledge
FYI
Must be a member of ASCD to have access to the article.

5. Share actions taken for increasing rigor
What? Give One / Get One Sharing Protocol
Why? To create an idea exchange with colleagues.
How? Write down 3-5 actions taken or actions you plan to take related to increasing rigor in your classrooms. Be prepared to share these ideas with colleagues using the Give One / Get One protocol.
25 minutes
Remind participants that we asked that we asked them to come prepared to share any actions taken towards increasing rigor in their school or district.
Give One/Get One Protocol
Purpose: To share actions taken since last meeting and network with colleagues about successes and challenges.
Roles: Timekeeper, Facilitator
Directions:
(5 minutes) Reflect on and write a short description of the action taken that you would like to share with colleagues. Note what made the action successful and any remaining challenges that you would like to dialogue with colleagues about.
For the remainder of the time, participants will share one idea with another participant and receive another idea from a participant. Participants will jot down the ideas on the grid. One new idea per square. This process will continue with participants “keeping time” and moving from one participant to another to gather as many new ideas as possible.
Total time for this activity: 25 minutes

6. Process Ideas in Teams Diamond Ranking
As a team, spend some time reviewing the ideas you heard from others. Then, identify and chart the top nine ideas using the Diamond Ranking protocol. Prepare to share with the whole group.
25 minutes
Activity: Diamond Ranking
District should identify its top 9 ideas about increasing rigorous instruction and learning and write each on a sticky note or index card. The district will then sort these ideas into a diamond shape with the strongest idea as number 1 (top of the diamond) and the weakest idea as number 9 (bottom of diamond). Use chart paper to prepare to share Diamond Ranking with the whole group.
Facilitators: Note trends in “Highest” ideas and “Lowest” ideas.

7. SURVEY https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8YK3B3Z
This is the survey that all participants are invited to respond to. Those earning a PLU will also need to respond to the questions on the Google Form link. Links for the first two meetings can be found on the CCRS PLU Form on the CCRS website home page.

8. Contact Ms. Gay Finn with questions.
PLU Information
Register on Chalkable for PLUACLD528
Attend all three CCRS meetings (Sept 2016, Nov 2016, Feb 2017)
Complete and submit Implementation and Action Plan and Progress Notes
Complete Reflection and Next Steps after each session (Google Doc Survey)
Complete PLU Evaluation at February meeting
Register as soon as possible on Chalkable
Attend all three meetings
Implementation and Action Plan and Progress Notes….the link for the google doc is on the handout
In addition to the Survey Monkey, there will be a Google Doc survey specifically for PLU participants….go back and complete the September and November surveys. The links for those surveys are on the handout.
Complete the final evaluation (February).
Complete the Verification of Completion Form and return to Lori Boyd at Form can be found on the CCRS website home page.
You may contact Gay Finn at with any questions.
Contact Ms. Gay Finn with questions.