NL research team

"A prevalent misconception about standards in general is that they simply specify learning goals to be achieved." Big Idea # 1 - The Common Core Standards have new emphases and require a careful reading. Big Idea # 2 - Standards are not curriculum. Big Idea # 3 - Standards need to be "unpacked." Big Idea # 4 - A coherent curriculum is mapped backwards from desired performances. Big Idea #5 - The Standards come to life through the assessments.

Seeing significant connections between maker movement and students as creators/contributors

"Disp Recorder lets you easily record anything that happens on the screen of your iPad: navigating through the Home screens, changing options in the Settings app or working in another app such as GarageBand or Google Earth. It will even record a Keynote presentation complete with the virtual laser-pointer etc - an option for having students record a presentation of their work to share with their peers."

"Picture this: A student is at home, listening to my biology podcast and a question comes to mind, that she thinks would be of benefit to the community of fellow listeners. She wants to contribute to the podcast by asking her question in her own voice (like talk-back radio) and hear the question discussed on next week's episode. I have investigated and tried quite a number of options. Some of the best include K7, Skype Voicemail, Google Voice and iPadio and CinchCast. But none of these were ideal for the purpose. Some are expensive for students. Some are expensive for me. Some don't work in Australia (yes - I'm looking at you, Google Voice). Some are cumbersome for my purpose, and let's face it, if it takes much any effort, students won't use it). Enter SpeakPipe. A new service that is just what I've been looking for."

"New York's educators are always investigating better ways to improve what is being taught, how it's being taught, and what to do about obstacles to student learning. It was with these concerns in mind that we designed the Content Areas that Network Teams, administrators, principals, and teachers will use to facilitate change in schools: Common Core standards The Data-Driven Instruction cycle (DDI) and School-Based Inquiry (SBI) Teacher/Leader effectiveness (performance management systems) As reform priorities grow and evolve over time, EngageNY will grow and evolve, too - so that you always have the resources you need to ensure success in your school. "

"I don't think anyone would teach using a unit on tolerance given to them by the enemies of civil rights. No teacher would put up with that. But yet, teachers (including myself) will start off this year fully supporting the Common Core in the classroom. I feel as though every day when I come home I need to take a shower, because I have spent my day in bed with the enemy."

"Great resources released for our PARCC Educator Leader Cadre on the last day of our first convening:"

The Hunt Institute and CCSSO have created videos on Common Core implementation by target audience and topic, many of which feature remarks by the lead writers of the CCSS.

is a website launched by Student Achievement Partners, an organization founded by authors of the Common Core State Standards, to share free, open-source resources to support Common Core implementation at all levels. Resources currently available include the most recent edition of the English Language Arts (ELA) Publishers' Criteria (designed to guide publishers and curriculum developers as they work to ensure alignment with the K-2 and 3-12 standards in English language arts (ELA) and literacy for history/social studies, science, and technical subjects); Publishers' Criteria for the CCSS in Mathematics for Grades K-8; close reading exemplars; a guide to creating text dependent questions; and a series of tools for addressing the major instructional shifts in the CCSS, as developed by classroom educators.

The Teaching Channel aims to provide innovative videos and resources to educators to meet its goals of building teacher-driven professional learning, deepening and improving opportunities for teacher learning, and elevating and celebrating teachers in society. The website includes a growing collection of videos that focus on the CCSS, some of which focus on the background of the Common Core in certain grades/subjects, while others highlight instructional practices aligned to specific standards.

The Illustrative Mathematics Project offers guidance to states, assessment consortia, testing companies, and curriculum developers by illustrating the range and types of mathematical work that students will experience in a faithful implementation of the CCSS. The website features a clickable version of the Common Core in mathematics and the first round of "illustrations" of specific standards with associated classroom tasks and solutions. **log-in required

"While the Common Core State Standards share many features and concepts with existing standards, the new standards also represent a substantial departure from current practice in a number of respects. Here are nine important differences:"

"ExxonMobil Math and Science Initiative graduate in cap and gown We rely on technology and innovation in every part of our business, and knowledge of math and science is critical in the energy sector. We employ more than 14,000 scientists and engineers to help produce and deliver energy supplies safely, reliably, and affordably. The technological innovations necessary to facilitate human progress and meet key challenges in the years ahead will require a global workforce highly skilled in fields making use of math and science. Excellence in math and science education is directly correlated to the ability of countries to successfully compete and prosper in the global community of the 21st century. For example, the United States ranks behind other countries in terms of the proportion of students who perform well in math and science and pursue degrees in these subjects. Many teachers in the United States do not have the benefit of strong content knowledge and training specific to mathematics and science."

"Videos of teachers practicing the new Common Core State Standards. Teaching Channel is a video showcase online and on TV of inspired and effective teaching practices."

The individual clips are short, discipline-specific and include a few that focus on threads within specific standards. One of the strengths of the Hunt work is that it was done in collaboration with some of the chief architects of the Common Core.

These might serve as good discussion pieces when working w teachers to consider CC lessons through lens of NL upgrade template. 10 Common Core Units in American History... "These are all skills and strategies that students must learn before they can gain academic independence. The guiding principle behind the following ten units is the development of these investigative and analytical skills in all students. All history students must be able to read a primary source document, understand the significance of the author's words, and write a critical analysis that examines that significance."

"As you are watching, ask yourself: What changed by using, in this case, the iPad and ShowMe app? Could the same [learning] have been accomplished by keeping students' illustrations analog? Was there differentiation potential? Can this type of "activity" be used as an assessment to replace/upgrade traditional assessment? Are the movie clips potential artifacts for digital portfolios? Could these movie clips be part of a variety of student work at a parent-teacher conference? Was any learning amplified by placing it on the classroom blog to share with families? What skills were practiced? What literacies were supported? Was it worth the extra time investment, the learning curve?"

""This would create an environment where students could really work together," she said. "It would let me change the dynamic and bring that compassion back into the classroom.""