The English 107/207 classes taught by Miss Monica Rizzi have incorporated the Profile of a Rutherford Graduate tenets into their classes.
Students were introduced to the CER format (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) earlier this week, as they will be using this format to help them develop structured paragraphs throughout the year. To introduce the format, Miss Rizzi connected CER with the PORG competencies in a way that was meaningful and accessible to students.
Students first reviewed the PORG competencies and then completed a station activity where they collaborated and worked together to come up with their own ideas for how they could demonstrate each of the competencies in school and in their everyday lives.
The competencies are:
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Character
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Citizenship
Students will use the ideas they generated during the station activity as they begin their first writing assignment. The prompt asks:
“Considering all of the traits of the ‘Profile of a Rutherford Graduate,’ which do you think is the most important for a high school student? Explain why in a handwritten paragraph. You must use the CER format in your response.”
This activity allowed students to first unpack and make sense of the PORG competencies before asking them to write about them. It also gave them an opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and begin thinking about how these competencies connect to their own experiences and lives.
