Group items tagged

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.

Resources documenting the connections between the Fountas and Pinnell Continuum of Literacy Learning and CCSS for ELA.

This is a pretty hefty read, but an important one. Regular readers know how concerned we are with issues regarding the achievement gap. If the Common Core widens the gap...that's not good, to say the least.

If you are in a PARCC state, this article provides some great information about what you can (tentatively) expect from the PARCC CCSS assessments.

Everything I share for this "Common Sense" roundup is, in my opinion, great stuff. But here's a post that, if you're an ELA teacher or educational leader, you've got to read. Great, great, great stuff here. Honestly. While there may be several reasons to object to common standards, this post dispels some of the least accurate "legends."

What about literature? Many teachers ask this when they learn of the CCSS's emphasis on informational text. 

Is this a good thing? Not sure. I do know that this article is a thought provoking look at the depth and complexity that could be a part of CCSS implementation. Definitely worth a read.

More on argument...this does a good job of clarifying the critical differences between persuasion and argument.

Dave (@davestuartjr on twitter) has a great blog that we've featured here before. This activity suggestion could be adapted for a wide range of grades, and it definitely puts the idea of argument in the spotlight from day one.

This issue features ways to integrate primary sources and how this can align with the CCSS.

Looking for non-fiction texts for your classroom because you know you need to incorporate more of them in your teaching? This is a great place to start.