Here’s a quick and easy way to find the Common Core resources you need to make the most of learning in your classroom.
This TpT search tool is triggered when you type Common Core-related phrases — such as “Common Core math” — into the search bar. You’ll find lots of meaningful resources tagged to a specific framework, grade, and domain/strand. You can try it yourself.
Once you have the right resources in hand, get helpful insights from TpT Teacher-Authors who live the CCSS every day:
Student Ownership — Creating a Learning Community:
Mixed-Up Files says, “The biggest change the Common Core Standards have made is that the level of student ownership over learning has skyrocketed. I involve students in tracking their own mastery of the standards throughout the year. I’ve rewritten the ELA standards that we use in my 6th-8th grade classes to be student-friendly ‘We Can’ statements. We begin by using a Marzano scale (1-4) to self-assess students’ confidence with each standard. Each day, we post the ‘We Can’ learning objectives that we will introduce or practice, and students record those on a checklist in their interactive notebooks. When they’ve mastered a standard, they choose a method to demonstrate mastery and begin using part of their class time to create a project or product that will not only show off their own learning, but will be a tool that other students can use to learn with as well! Using the Common Core State Standards as a framework for the past three years has helped me transition my classroom into a true learning community.”
On Paring Standards Together:
“One thing I love about the ELA Common Core State Standards,” says The Daring English Teacher, “is that they essentially ask students to master the same concept from kindergarten through 12th grade, but they spiral up in complexity as the students grow and learn. In order to accommodate all of the standards in the school year, it’s essential to pair them together and teach multiple standards at a time. For example, there are essentially three types of writing standards: argument, informational, and narrative. Looking at the first writing standard, W.9-10.1, which is argument writing, I ask myself what skills the students need to know to be able to successfully write an argument essay. Then I pair that standard with a reading standard. I feel argument writing is best taught alongside nonfiction. Standards RI.9-10.1 and 3 ask students to cite claims and trace the author’s claim. It’s a perfect match.”
CCSS Checklists and Assessments:
Momma with A Teaching Mission
adds her perspective: “When I went through grad school to become a teacher three years ago, CCSS was just starting to be implemented in Maryland. We’re departmentalized within my team, and we use checklists to keep track of student progress and which standards we teach. We also do a scroll in May for the following year (mapping out the big standards we teach by month and any specific themes). I’ve found it extremely helpful to have a skeleton outline of which standards I’m teaching when; I can then go back and plug in the texts and assessments that I’m going to use.”
Book Clubs, Book Discussions, and Literature Circles
Literacy Loves Company
also has some tips: “Not only are literature circles, novel studies, and book clubs great ways to reach Literature and Language standards; they’re also rich in speaking and language Common Core State Standards! In the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, speaking and listening standards are required to help students come to a discussion prepared, follow the rules of discussion, ask and answer questions, and link comments to other people’s ideas. All of these standards are a perfect fit for book discussions!”
It’s a Teacher Thing
adds, “I can really focus on the speaking and listening standards during book club meetings. Since the rest of the class is engaged in their own meetings, I can spend time really listening and engaging with a small group. I actually teach speaking and listening during our meetings. I have a rubric for grading, and students assess themselves. Additionally, the reading literature standards are a huge part of book clubs, and there’s plenty of opportunity for writing. I know students have a greater understanding of what they read when we run book clubs. They have to engage with the novel in order to be prepared for their meeting. When students have completed their novels, the book club members can collaborate on finding the theme and writing literature letters. The common experience of participating in book clubs (often pairing students together who may not have much communication during their time in school) aids in community-building as well.”
No More Memorizing Formulas — Dig Deep
“The Common Core State Standards require our students to have a deep understanding of the content,” explains Lisa Tilmon
. “For example, no longer will Algebra 1 students just memorize and use the quadratic formula to solve a quadratic equation. Instead, they’ll first derive the quadratic formula by completing the square to know why this crazy formula works. It’s important to ask yourself, ‘Are my students learning the ‘how’ with or without the ‘why’?'”
CCSS Integration Using Several Steps — Take Time to Build
The Math Spot
says, “In our building, we take time to first unpack standards for a given unit. Next, we create or modify an assessment so we know what the level of proficiency will look like for that standard. Last, we modify, sift through, or create lessons that will support the standard at the level of rigor determined by our assessment. For example, 2nd grade students need to be able to fluently add and subtract sums to 100. To do this, they’ll need to have a strong understanding of place value. Take a look at other NBT standards that will support this learning to create an order or continuum of understanding within the grade level. For students with gaps, it will also be important to look back to previous grade levels to find standards that support the most basic learning at your own grade level. In math, the best I can do from there is create and engage my students in rich activities that will help them reach their end goal!”
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You don’t have to face Common Core challenges alone. Think of TpT as your rocket booster pack when it comes to teaching with Common Core State Standards.
