I am excited about the journey of implementing Common Core State Standards! I know when things are unfamiliar we tend to get that uneasy feeling in the pit of our stomach, hold our breath, and sometimes even kick and scream a little. It's not until we role our sleeves up and plunge head first into the task do we begin to allow the weight from our shoulders be removed and are able to breath deeply again. Believe me I get it! You have a lot of questions and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of answers as it relates to the CCSS! So the only thing we can do is start from the known!
Explore the Reading Initiative
So what do we KNOW about CCSS? We know that a group of governors and commissioners got together and decided that we need to change the standards. We know that committees were formed and wrote both standards for math and literacy. We also know that a consortium (there are actually two) was formed for our state and others to begin writing the NEW TESTS!!!! If you do not know this then you must seek to understand all that is CCSS. For those of you who have an iPad, I suggest you look at a great resource that has a lot of information about CCSS.
First, you will need to download iTunes U on your device.
Explore the Reading Initiative
So what do we KNOW about CCSS? We know that a group of governors and commissioners got together and decided that we need to change the standards. We know that committees were formed and wrote both standards for math and literacy. We also know that a consortium (there are actually two) was formed for our state and others to begin writing the NEW TESTS!!!! If you do not know this then you must seek to understand all that is CCSS. For those of you who have an iPad, I suggest you look at a great resource that has a lot of information about CCSS.
First, you will need to download iTunes U on your device.
Secondly, you will want to download the course in your app library. You will find it here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/course/common-core-with-common-sense/id509192684
If you don't have a device you can go online to the Hunts Institute YouTube channel to view Common Core Standard videos.
What are the Big Shifts?
What do the Common Core Standards have in common with ogres and onions?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZnztwiWZo4