This post from Education Gadfly's Common Core Watch is thought provoking. I know there's a lot of pushback on CCSS due to the move toward an increase in the use of informational text. This post questions those critics. Interesting stuff.
This is a terrific post. I really think that if you have concerns about the standards, that's definitely O.K. Your voice needs to be a part of the conversation. What we all will hopefully do is look for the good that lies within, and continue to do what's best for children.
If I could recommend reading one piece about how to implement the Common Core, it might be this one by Wiggins and McTighe. Their approach has framed a lot of what I'm working on with my own school, and I think other schools could benefit from knowing more about the role UbD can play in the CCSS transition.
Two FREE webinars about the Common Core math standards are coming up. We're presenting, the great folks at TenMarks are sponsoring. It's going to be good. And practical. And informative. (This concludes our shamless self-promotion...did I mention they're FREE? Ok, now I'm done.)
A quote from the article..."Adult literacy in 2012 means being able to synthesize information from multiple online sources to write a blog post or substantive email. It means analyzing which online tools will best serve your communications purpose. It means making smart decisions about what information is useful online, and how to curate and filter the endless stream of data coming in. It means reviewing your digital footprint and learning how to take some control over what information you broadcast to the world, from your tweets, profile pictures, and recommended links. While the common core addresses some of the above skills, its guidance is far too vague, especially for those teachers who are uncomfortable with new technologies."
So true.
Answering questions using evidence from the text is one of the biggest points of emphasis in the ELA CCSS. This article explains what text dependent questions are AND how to write them.
Learned about this blog post via the Curriculum Matters column at Education Week. If you only read one of these Common Core links, read this one. A perfect blend of humor and insight.
What's that Olivia Newton John song? "Let's get political?" I can't remember. Either way, if you're planning to vote November 6 (and I desperately hope that you are), this is a must read. Getting the candidates to talk about education is always a challenge. 2012 is no exception.
It's quite interesting to read Governor Romney's quotes on the Common Core, and specifically on standardized testing. President Obama is discussed briefly, too, although he doesn't seem to have too much to say on the education topic either. I'll leave it at that!
Solid database of math sample CCSS performance tasks for grades 2-8. Teachers need more of these in their classrooms. This is a great place to get ideas.