The Iowa Core Standards (The Common Core Standards)

This year our teachers have been digging into the Common Core Standards for grades K-4 in literacy.  It has been quite a journey!  Iowa adopted the Common Core Standards thus calling it The Iowa Core.  The CCSS initiative is to make all U.S. students "college and career ready".  The standards lay out a map of what children need to learn in regards to literacy at each grade level (and math).  At South Side we adopted these standards and are currently going through each one at every grade level.  This was our first step in our S.I.N.A. (school in need of assistance in the area of literacy) plan.  After surveying all of the teachers at South Side last fall, it was quite apparent that each teacher was following their own path of curriculum which was creating a hit and miss learning environment for our students.  We needed a plan to unite us and to make sure we offer a quality learning environment and curriculum plan for every student in every classroom.

What do teachers need to know to implement the core standards? 
(this list was taken from an article in Reading Today, December, 2012)

*Know that new levels of literacy are required 
Our students have greater demands on them as they enter college or the workforce.  The curriculum must become more intentional and rigorous instruction in the classroom must happen.
*Know the standards
There are 10 anchor standards in both reading and writing and are constant across K-12 (narrative and information texts)
*Know the connection of reading and writing
The standards place equal weight on reading and writing which is essential in reshaping classroom instruction.  We must go beyond just engaging the students in writing but also help them to write about their reading.
*Know the value of challenging texts
Teachers must use more complex texts during instruction.  Teachers must use the gradual release model or scaffolding.  Reading complex texts (which cause students to struggle) but only WITH guidance and support from the teacher.  Easier text can then be read as the student works to gain independence. (non-fiction, non-fiction and more non-fiction!!) Middle school and high school teachers must also teach students how to read the text at every level.  DO NOT assume your students know how.  All teachers must teach effective comprehension strategies in every area of the curricular.
*Do purposefully select the texts used in instruction.
(Luckily we have adopted an wonderful curriculum that did the hard work for us.)  Add more non-fiction.
*Do more with less
Embrace the idea of spending more time with one piece of text and digging deeper for different purposes.  Teachers must make sure to engage students in reading, talking, writing and thinking about these texts.  Teachers must support higher order thinking skills for all students. (Bloom's Taxonomy)
*Do stay current
Work collaboratively with other teachers to learn new practices to meet these high expectations.  Teachers need to be lifelong learners.  Once you get behind in best practices and the latest research, it can be difficult or almost impossible to catch up.

I know I am excited about the CCSS!  There should be no question of what we are teaching or how we are teaching it.  I have spent too many years spending hours figuring out what to teach, its nice to have a plan.

If you are feeling lost and confused about the Common Core...start digging into it.  Find a site that has students "I can" statements regarding the standards, this is a quick and easy way to begin.  There are many resources on the web that can help you understand the CCSS too.

If you are wanting to avoid it or ignore it, then you might want to think about retiring or possibly a career change.  Our students deserve teachers that are lifelong learners and able to provide them the best curriculum opportunities.  The Iowa Teaching Standards are also a good place to review the qualities of a teaching professional.
  (Iowa Teaching Standards)  

Happy Reading! Mrs. Speake