To reach true academic rigor, learners need high levels of both cognitive complexity and student autonomy. Moving them in this direction, however, requires teachers to become skilled at using research-based strategies to make the critical instructional shifts that deepen student learning. The Essentials for Achieving Rigor model of instruction and corresponding series of books were developed to help teachers provide that caliber of truly rigorous instruction. This guide, developed by authors of the Essentials series, brings it all together. Carla Moore, Michael D. Toth, and Robert J. Marzano provide valuable tips and guidance to help teachers leverage essential strategies
Before this book I hadn't realized (and maybe embarrassingly so) that I needed to unpack our ELA standards. Upon learning that, I began to"unpack" and it's made a huge difference in how I plan, how I teach, and how I assess student work. I feel like I have a better understanding of what students need to do to truly master the ELA standards.