Example of 9th Grade English: Performance vs Learning Matrix
Reading Comprehension & Analysis
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Basic Plot Understanding |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Students must develop ability to follow narrative independently through close reading. |
Character Analysis |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Understanding character development and motivation requires independent critical thinking. |
Theme Identification |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Students must learn to recognize and analyze themes through direct textual engagement. |
Literary Device Recognition |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Master identification of metaphor, simile, etc. before using AI for verification. |
Making Inferences |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Critical thinking skill that requires independent development and practice. |
Context Clues for Vocabulary |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Essential skill for reading comprehension and vocabulary development. |
Annotation |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Active reading skill requiring personal engagement with text. |
Chapter Summaries |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Create initial summaries manually, then use AI to refine organization. |
Reading Journals |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Personal reflection and engagement must be student-generated. |
Text-to-Text Connections |
Learning → Performance |
Staged Implementation |
Develop connections independently, use AI to expand thinking. |
Writing Process
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Brainstorming |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Students must develop independent ideation skills. |
Thesis Development |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Critical skill requiring original thought and clear articulation. |
Outline Creation |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Create initial structure manually, use AI for refinement. |
Topic Sentences |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must master independent construction of clear topic sentences. |
Paragraph Structure |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Understanding and implementing paragraph organization independently. |
Transitions |
Learning → Performance |
Staged Implementation |
Learn basic transitions manually, then use AI for sophisticated options. |
Evidence Integration |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must master selection and integration of textual evidence. |
Citations |
Performance |
Allowed with Guidelines |
AI can assist with proper formatting after selection of evidence. |
Revision Process |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Initial revisions manual, then AI for enhancement suggestions. |
Proofreading |
Performance |
Allowed with Guidelines |
AI can help identify mechanical errors after student review. |
Grammar & Mechanics
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Sentence Structure |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must master independent construction of varied sentences. |
Parts of Speech |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Fundamental understanding required without assistance. |
Punctuation Usage |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Master basic rules before using AI for verification. |
Subject-Verb Agreement |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Essential grammar skill requiring manual practice. |
Verb Tense Consistency |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Develop understanding before using AI for checking. |
Pronoun Usage |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must understand and apply pronoun rules independently. |
Parallel Structure |
Learning → Performance |
Staged Implementation |
Learn concepts manually, then use AI for verification. |
Complex Sentence Formation |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Master basic structures before AI assistance with complex ones. |
Vocabulary Development
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Word Definition |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Learn to use context and dictionary skills independently. |
Synonym/Antonym Recognition |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Develop vocabulary relationships without AI assistance. |
Word Origins |
Performance |
Allowed |
AI can help explore etymology after basic understanding. |
Vocabulary in Context |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must develop skill to understand words in different contexts. |
Word Form Changes |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Understanding word families and forms independently. |
Technical Vocabulary |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Learn key terms manually, use AI for expanded understanding. |
Figurative Language |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must recognize and interpret figurative language independently. |
Research Skills
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Topic Selection |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Develop ability to identify research-worthy topics. |
Source Evaluation |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Critical skill for determining source reliability. |
Note-Taking |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must develop independent note-taking strategies. |
Research Questions |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Skill in developing focused, researchable questions. |
Database Navigation |
Performance |
Allowed |
AI can assist in finding relevant sources efficiently. |
Bibliography Creation |
Performance |
Allowed |
AI can help format citations after sources are selected. |
Fact-Checking |
Learning → Performance |
Staged Implementation |
Learn verification skills, then use AI to expand search. |
Speaking & Listening
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Class Discussion |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must develop original thoughts and responses. |
Presentation Planning |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Develop independent organization of ideas. |
Speech Writing |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must master independent composition of speeches. |
Active Listening |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Essential skill requiring direct human engagement. |
Debate Preparation |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Research independently, use AI for organizing arguments. |
Peer Feedback |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must develop skills in giving constructive feedback. |
Creative Writing
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Story Development |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must develop original creative ideas independently. |
Character Creation |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Essential creative writing skill requiring originality. |
Setting Description |
Learning |
Initially Prohibited |
Develop descriptive writing skills independently. |
Dialogue Writing |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Must master authentic dialogue creation. |
Poetry Writing |
Learning |
Prohibited |
Requires original creative expression and style. |
Creative Revision |
Learning → Performance |
Staged Implementation |
Initial revisions manual, AI for enhancement suggestions. |
Study & Organization
Task/Activity |
Primary Goal |
AI Role |
Rationale & Recommendations |
Note Organization |
Performance |
Allowed |
AI can help structure and categorize notes. |
Study Guide Creation |
Learning → Performance |
Phased Approach |
Create initial content manually, use AI for organization. |
Test Preparation |
Learning |
Limited Use |
Generate practice questions but answer independently. |
Literary Term Review |
Performance |
Allowed |
AI can help create review materials and examples. |
Timeline Creation |
Performance |
Allowed |
AI can help organize chronological information. |
Implementation Guidelines
Skill Development Progression
- Begin with no AI use for fundamental skills
- Introduce AI gradually as mastery is demonstrated
- Maintain balance between independence and AI support
- Regular assessment of skill development without AI
Writing Process Integration
- Clear guidelines for each stage of writing
- Specific checkpoints for AI assistance
- Documentation of independent work
- Focus on original thought and expression
Assessment Strategies
- Different policies for formative and summative work
- Clear communication about AI permissions
- Balance between AI-assisted and independent work
- Regular evaluation of learning outcomes
Documentation Requirements
- Clear notation of AI assistance
- Maintenance of writing portfolios
- Evidence of independent skill development
- Documentation of revision process
Ethical Guidelines
- Clear policies on appropriate AI use
- Understanding of plagiarism and attribution
- Guidelines for citing AI assistance
- Focus on academic integrity
Remember: The goal is to use AI to enhance learning while ensuring students develop essential English language arts skills. Regular evaluation and adjustment of these guidelines may be necessary as both technology and pedagogical understanding evolve.