Quadrant A (Acquisition)

The Focus is on
Teacher Work
TEACHERS EXPEND ENERGY TO CREATE
AND ASSESS LEARNING ACTIVITIES
PROVIDING LESSON CONTENT, CREATING
WORKSHEETS, AND GRADING STUDENT
WORK. IN THIS SCENARIO THE STUDENT
BECOMES A PASSIVE LEARNER.

Quadrant A (Acquisition)
The Focus is on
Teacher Work

Typical Student Activities:

Games
Guided Practice
Lecture
Memorization
Test Preparation
Create Graphic of Word/Concept

Quadrant B (Application)
The Focus is on
the Student Doing Real Work

This work involves more realworld tasks than Quadrant A

and generally takes more time
for students to complete.

Quadrant B (Application)
The Focus is on
the Student Doing Real Work
Typical Student Activities:
Cooperative Learning
Demonstrations
Technology Real Time (e-pals)
Learning Centers
Physical Movement
Problem Based Learning
Project Design
Play
Video

Quadrant C (Assimilation)
The Focus is on
the Student Thinking in
Complex Ways
Students think to analyze,
compare, create, and evaluate.
Traditionally, this has been the
level of learning typical of a high
school graduate.

Quadrant C (Assimilation)
The Focus is on
the Student Thinking in
Complex Ways
Typical Student Activities:
Compare/Contrast
Manipulatives/Models
Summarizing
Brainstorm
Create Word Puzzles

Quadrant D (Adaptation)
The Focus is on
the Student Thinking and
Working
Roles have shifted from teachercentered instruction to studentcentered learning. D requires
students to thoroughly understand
the standard as well as understand
and conceptualize relevant
applications.

Quadrant D (Adaptation)
The Focus is on
the Student Thinking and Working
Typical Student Activities:
Artistic Expression
Brainstorming
Cooperative
Learning
Feedback/Reflection
Inquiry
Technology (any
time/independent
learning)
Project Design

Presentations/Exhibits
Problem-based

learning
Research
Role play/Simulation
Socratic Seminar
Storytelling
Teacher Questions
Writing to Learn
Create a Brochure

Rigor/Relevance Framework
Social Studies - Elementary

C(Assimilation) D(Adaptation)

R
I
G
O
R

High

Contrast citizens
responsibilities under
different forms of
government.

Read story about survival

and brainstorm strategies
for surviving a disaster (e.g.,
snowstorm, tornado).

A(Acquisition) B(Application)
Low

Memorize names,
locations and capital
cities of U.S. states.

Describe geographic and

climatic characteristics of
the local community.

Low
RELEVANCE

High

Rigor/Relevance Framework
Business - Information Tech.

C(Assimilation) D(Adaptation)
R
I
G
O
R

High

Low

Compare features of
web development
software.

Create a full web site for a

local business.

A(Acquisition)

B(Application)

Demonstrate web
development
software functions.

Design web page.

Low
RELEVANCE

High

Rigor/Relevance Framework
English - Middle Level

C(Assimilation) D(Adaptation)
R
I
G
O
R

High

Analyze
commercials for fact
and opinion.

Write directions for

assembling a product or
carrying out a procedure.

B(Application)

A(Acquisition)
Low

Locate information
in technical writing.

Assemble a product
following
written directions.

Low
RELEVANCE

High

Rigor/Relevance Framework
Health Education

C(Assimilation) D(Adaptation)
R
I
G
O
R

High

Analyze
advertisements
that target youth.

Role play conflict

resolution situations.

B(Application)

A(Acquisition)
Low

Describe the
effects of drugs
on the human
body.

Demonstrate
strategies to reduce
spread of germs.

Low
RELEVANCE

High

Rigor/Relevance Framework
Science - Middle Level

C(Assimilation) D(Adaptation)
R
I
G
O
R

High

Identify chemicals
dissolved in an
unknown solution.

A(Acquisition)

Low

Construct models of
molecules using
toothpicks, round
objects.

Collect data and make

recommendations
to address a community
environmental problem.

B(Application)

Collect data on dissolved

oxygen, hardness,
alkalinity, and
temperature in a stream.

Low
RELEVANCE

High

B
Y
Q
U
A
D
R
A
N
T

C
(Assimilation)
Essay
Plan
Investigation
Report
QuestionnaireChart
Inventory
Abstract
Blueprint
A (Acquisition)
Exhibit
Definition
Quiz
Classification
Worksheet
Workbook
Journal

D (Adaptation)
Evaluation
New Game
Newspaper
Machine
Estimation
Invention
Trial
Debate
Editorial
Poem
Play
Adaptation
Collage
Video

B (Application)

ScrapbookAnnotation
Summary
Explanation
Solution
Test
TrueInterpretation
false
Recitation List
Collection Demonstration
Reproduction
Explanation Outline
Notes
Survey
Skit

Student Product List

Student Work
Is the work meaningful and challenging?
Are all students actively engaged?
Do students have a clear understanding of what constitutes outstanding work?
Do students show commitment to and enthusiasm for their work?

Primary Assessments
Rigor/Relevance Framework

K
N
O
W
L
E
D
G
E

Extended Response
Product Performance

Multiple Choice
Constructed Response

AP PLI C AT I O N

Portfolio
Product Performance
Interview
Self Reflection

Process
Performance
Product Performance