The Art and Science of Lesson Design: Practical Approaches to Boosting Cognitive Rigor in the Classroom

(Paperback)

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The Cognitive Rigor Matrix superposes two of the most common tools used in K-12 education: Blooms Revised Taxonomy and Depth of Knowledge. This matrix has been adopted by numerous state departments of education and national organizations to evaluate the rigor of educational materials. The matrix also offers a powerful ability to help teachers plan and carry out standards-based lessons that best support student learning. This book, aimed at secondary school teachers of all subjects, provides a systematic means of leveraging the Rigor Cube to develop rigorous, standards-based lesson plans. The approach employed in this book includes the development of culminating activities for students to demonstrate their learning, identification of standards-based lesson content, selection of potentially effective instructional methods, and student questioning strategies. Special methods for supporting students who are deficient in their background knowledge without undermining the rigor of lessons are also included. Sample lessons are included that illustrate every step of the lesson planning process from start to finish. These sample lesson plans address state content standards related to the Common Core State Standards (both math and English language arts), Next Generation Science Standards, career-technical education standards, and art.

Reviews

In collaboration with Squire, a high school educator, Walkup details how the Cognitive Rigor Matrix works in the culminating activity, scope, delivery, and formative assessment of lessons by providing the rationale, definition, steps, and sample lesson plans. One particularly novel discussion surrounds a strategy to accommodate background barriers of diverse learners while setting up all learners for success in state tests, referred to as subskill scaffolding. Walkup and Squire offer abundant tips and examples in a variety of subjects, including English, math, art, and engineering, as well as instructional strategies and templates in the appendix. This book makes an excellent reference for education professionals. * Choice Reviews *
A decade after John and I co-authored an article about cognitive rigor, many teachers still struggle with how to design curriculum and assessments that are less about difficulty and more about complexity. Dr. Walkup's use of the 'Rigor Cube' offers a new perspective to teachers in lesson plan development. -- Karin Hess, EdD, internationally recognized leader in curricular rigor and assessment
Dr. Walkup has provided educators with a trifecta in his book, The Art and Science of Lesson Design. He lays out the what, the why, and the how of creating lessons that are engaging, relevant, and rigorous for students. He meticulously walks readers through every aspect of the planning process providing examples as quality models. Walkup brings the cognitive rigor matrix to instructional life. -- Connie Hamilton, EdS,author, Hacking Questions; co-author, Hacking Homework; K-12 curriculum director, Saranac Community Schools; education consultant
No matter what pedagogical preferences a teacher may have, Dr. Walkup's Rigor Cube helps determine how to fit the content and goals with the appropriate teaching strategy. His subtle humor, practicality, and humility bridge the gulf between teaching philosophy warriors. This standards-based lesson planning guide is a must-have for both pre-service and veteran educators. -- Lane Walker, EdD, NBCT teacher, high school mathematics
The Art and Science of Lesson Design cuts through the noise typically associated with many books on education and lays out a clear, thorough, well-researched path to designing rigorous lessons. As a teacher in a competitive college preparatory school, I have used Dr. Walkups guide to plan, deliver, and assess high quality lessons that both stimulated and challenged my students. This book should be required reading in every teacher preparation program and it should be on the shelf of every educator. -- Matthew Ryan, high school English teacher

Author Bio

John Walkup, PhD is a pioneer in the classroom use of Cognitive Rigor, the superposition of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy and Depth of Knowledge. Supervising a team of 20 researchers at his own company, the author led the two largest studies of classroom rigor ever performed in the United States encompassing over 200 public schools and over a quarter-million student assignments.



Stephan Squire, MS teaches physics at McLane High School in Fresno, CA. He earned his masters degree in physics at California State University, Fresno studying the impact of lab activities designed to promote scientific reasoning and critical thinking.