Written by Hannah Billeter
Since its launch in 2009, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have been a topic of debate. But what is Common Core exactly? The CCSS is a set of English Language Arts (ELA) and math standards that were created in 2009 to better prepare students for life after high school. Its clear and consistent standards begin in kindergarten and continue through 12th grade. Common Core curriculum aims to link topics from year to year, and create solid, foundational bases that students can then build their future education on. Currently, the Common Core standards have been adopted by 41 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories. For a list of states that have adopted the Common Core standards, view the core standards map.
The Common Core standards were developed by taking the best state standards in practice around the country and combining them. Not only did Common Core creators do extensive research to determine which standards to use, they also valued feedback from teachers and the public.
Common Core ELA standards were created with the end goal of students being proficient readers that can accurately read text, analyze it, and incorporate it into their own writing. Teachers should incorporate this ELA instruction other core subjects, such as science and social studies and build upon those skills in each subject. The standards are intended to be rigorous and to challenge students. Each Common Core standard should be reinforced and revisited multiple times throughout the year. Some projects or assignments may incorporate multiple Common Core standards at once. Both new and existing teachers should take the time to review the state standards.
When developing the Common Core math standards, researchers explored the shortcomings of previous standards. Three crucial shifts were ultimately made in the Common Core math standards:
Major shifts were made when creating the Common Core ELA standards, as well. Common Core ELA standards focus on including more complex texts in ELA instruction, having students use evidence from these texts in their own writing, and growing students' knowledge and vocabulary by using an increased amount of informational text.
In grades K-5, Common Core aims for reading instruction to be 50% informational (nonfiction) text based and 50% literary (fiction) text based. For students in grades 6-12, students often learn through literary nonfiction.
To effectively implement Common Core in the classroom, a teacher should spend a significant amount of time learning and familiarizing themselves with it. Once teachers know the grade level(s) or subject(s) they will be teaching, they should print out a copy of those Common Core standards. Highlighting or underlining key information, referring back to the standards regularly, and writing dates that each standard will be taught during the school year are all useful strategies.
If teachers are provided a curriculum by their school or district, they should sit down with the curriculum and make sure it aligns with the Common Core standards. It is important to realize that each educator had a unique experience before and after Common Core. For some teachers, not much has changed at all. For others, they may have had to restructure everything. It will vary from school to school, from district to district, and from state to state.
Teachers and parents are not expected to understand Common Core all on their own. State education departments and many school districts have a variety of resources. If teachers are not directly provided these resources, they should make sure to reach out to their school principals or consult their district or state administration. Educators working in private schools may still be able to use education resources from their state. Effective lesson planning before instruction with students is crucial. Teachers begin lesson planning in many different ways. One approach to lesson planning is to sit down with the Common Core standards, any curriculum utilized by the school, and a lesson plan template. While teachers plan lessons, to ensure the lessons are meeting Common Core standards, using a Common Core lesson plan template can be beneficial.
There are a multitude of workshops and seminars that educate teachers about Common Core. Such sources include Dataworks, which has many workshops to better understand Common Core. These workshops range from identifying learning objectives from the standards to deciding whether or not a specific curriculum is actually aligned to Common Core standards. Dataworks also breaks down the myths of Common Core so that teachers and parents can understand the true nature of Common Core. Teachers are constantly involved in professional development throughout the school year and many schools will accept Common Core workshops or seminars as additional professional development credit.
Teachers are lifelong learners. They are always learning and growing alongside their students. One of the most impactful things an educator can do is observe another educator. Teachers may feel overwhelmed thinking about finding time to leave their classroom to observe another. Some educators ask their administration if someone can cover their class while they observe another educator. Other educators choose to visit the other classroom during a prep time that they have built into their schedule. If neither of these are options, watching online videos of teachers using the Common Core standards is a great alternative.
Since the CCSS have been around since 2009, some teachers have more experience with it than others. Observing a teacher is a wonderful way to see Common Core in action. Sitting down together and having a conversation afterwards to discuss observations or ask questions can also broaden a teacher's understanding of Common Core. Teachers should give themself grace when learning about and implementing Common Core standards, as it may seem intimidating. To effectively plan and teach the standards in the way they are intended takes practice! Teachers learning alongside their students sets a great example.
Many people were and still are skeptical of Common Core State Standards. However, there are many benefits that people may not realize. Before the introduction of Common Core, every state had a different criterion for student success. Each state had unique standards that were followed at different times throughout the year. Imagine a fifth-grade student who is moving from one state to another, midway through the school year. The state that the child is moving from was about to start learning how to multiply fractions. The state that the student is moving to teaches multiplying fractions in fourth grade. That child now completely misses learning multiplying fractions because the grade level standards were not even remotely aligned.
Another benefit of the Common Core curriculum is that it was created so that students would have the tools to be successful in college and/or in their careers. Being open with students about the positive impact Common Core can have on their future could help students understand the importance. Also, being transparent with students that Common Core does not just benefit the kids that are choosing college, as it was designed with all students in mind.
Teachers that have been teaching for an extensive amount of time should make sure to periodically review and evaluate the assignments that they are using or are planning to use. Some assignments are fun and engaging, but that does not mean they are linked to Common Core standards. Modifying these assignments, projects, or quizzes may be necessary in order to more accurately meet a Common Core standard. For example, if a second-grade teacher does a project every year about analyzing a song, how can they make sure this project includes Common Core standards? The teacher should first refer back to their grade level standards, as they might not need to completely change their assignments, they might just need to modify them. They might discover that they could start having students discuss the meaning of the song by looking at its beat, digging deep into any repeated lines, finding alliteration examples, or identifying any rhyming. That teacher successfully modified their lesson to incorporate the 2.RL.4 Common Core standard!
For some teachers, Common Core standards will not immensely change the way they teach. For other teachers, Common Core will massively change the way they teach. As mentioned above, teachers do not have to start from square one with their teaching. Many teachers have already positively modified their old methods of teaching in order to effectively meet all the Common Core standards. A teacher that re-examines their teaching practices proves that they care about deepening their students' understanding of math, reading, and writing.
It's difficult to say how Common Core will change teaching, as education prior to Common Core varied so much. This is one of the reasons Common Core was originally developed. A primary goal is to get educators across the country somewhat on the same page. For some teachers, Common Core is not only an educational shift, but a mind shift as well. Teachers should also keep open communication with parents in regards to Common Core standards. At parent-teacher conferences, discussing the standards that a student excelled at and also discussing the standards that a student still needs practice with can be a great way to casually introduce Common Core standards with parents.
Teachers are not experts on every single topic in every single subject. Some Common Core standards may be confusing, or teachers may need to learn or freshen up on the material that they will be teaching their students. Using exam preparation books can help teachers better understand concepts or standards. The TExES exams are directly related to the Common Core standards, and using test preparation courses or reviewing exam workbooks can help teachers better understand Common Core standards and how to teach them. The TExES online practice resources and online courses can also help teachers understand and master educational concepts. They also have an extensive library of study guides.
Common Core is an outline of state-set academic expectations that lay out the appropriate skills students should possess according to grade level in the core areas of Language Arts, English, and Math.
The core curriculum is a clear guide establishing a unified curriculum standard in area of Math, Literature, and Language Arts for all students across multiple states.