CCSS-K12

In my opinion, the best article I've seen about the role poetry can and should play as we move toward full CCSS implementation. (Full disclosure: I wrote it.)

Not reading these 2 blogs on a regular basis? You should be!

It's interesting to examine how different states are handling the same standards. No two are alike, it seems. 

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

An article from the NASSP for leaders who find themselves charged with leading a CCSS transition.

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."

More good stuff from the Common Core Ninjas at CoreStand. Their site is worth checking out.

A thoughtful post from a teacher making the CCSS happen. 

This is a weighty, but much needed, read. It's the mathematical standards of practice that truly need to be understood in order to fully make a CCSS transition. If you're a math teacher of any level, you've got to explore them, and this article unpacks them in a valuable way.

An important question. Is it a possibility we need to prepare for?

Great learning opportunity from our friends at the Teaching Channel

Free CCSS academies in several cities across the US. Yes...free.

This piece from Thomas Newkirk definitely fits into the category of "Common Sense for the Common Core." It lays out several concerns with the CCSS in a logical fashion. Whether you're a CCSS supporter or feel the standards are ripe with imperfections (or somewhere in between), this is a good read. 

We've always maintained that it's important to become informed about both sides of the CCSS debate. However, more often than not, it's the work of CCSS critics that gets the most attention. Still believe we need to think about all sides, but definitely need more published by educators who feel the Common Core may be a good thing...like this post. 

What? People are freaking out? I kid. This is a great read.

One of my beliefs about the CCSS is that teachers of ELA are going to have to look to more non-traditional sources for texts. Magazines, videos, and newspapers can play a great role in the teaching of informational text.

I wrote recently about the abundance of regional twitter education chats and how valuable I think they can be. This recap of an #ohedchat on the CCSS is a perfect example

Academic vocabulary...a huge CCSS ELA shift that's easy to overlook.