An Open Letter from Washoe Basal Alignment Project Contributors

In a letter addressed to their colleagues (here), Washoe educators, who participated in the Basal Alignment Project, share their experience and describe the implications for our students.  They highlight the challenge of the BAP including identifying major themes, important academic vocabulary, and keeping questions text-dependent. They also recommend that educators take part in the BAP process so that the depth and rigor of the Common Core is fully realized.

They letter was written by Chauncy Ashby, Terry Boyden, Lori Bell, Gail Corthell, Erin Dawson, Connie Frazer, Kitty Gillette, Robbie Gilmartin, Paula Glogovac, Mandy Grotting, Chris Hayes, Jolene Hamilton, Revae Henry, Trish Hermesky, Linda McMillan, Traci Mendoza, Jane Miller, Laurie Polzin, Megan Pruitt, Ann Warren, and Jen Wigfield.

 

About Aaron Grossman

I am a 5th grade teacher at Roy Gomm Elementary in Reno, Nevada. I started working with elementary students as part of the Montana Reads program and AmeriCorps. In 2001, after graduating from the University of Montana and moving to Reno, Nevada, I student taught at Rita Cannan Elementary before receiving a 6th grade position at Veterans Elementary. I moved out of the classroom to be a Literacy Coordinator, then an Instructional Coach, and finally a School Improvement Program Coordinator. In 2011, I began working on the Nevada Academic Content Standards in the district’s Curriculum & Instruction Department. I returned to the classroom for the 2015-2016 school year to teach 4th grade at Huffaker Elementary. Before returning to the classroom, I helped develop the Core Task Project that has been featured by National Public Radio, the Gates Foundation, American Radio Works, Eduwonk, the Fordham Institute, Vox, and the Center for American Progress. In 2014, I received the Leader to Learn From Award for my teacher-centered initiative and work to bring college, career, and civics ready outcomes into Northern Nevada classrooms (here). In 2015, I was appointed by Governor Sandoval serve on the Statewide RPDP Council. The same year, Nevada’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero placed me on the state’s State Improvement Team. This year I will be part of the National Council on Teacher Quality’s Teacher Advisory Group. I am Google Certified Educator and a Nevada Teacher Ambassador. I believe strongly that teaching content is teaching reading and I make sure my students have ample opportunities to work with social studies, history, science and art outcomes. I do what I can to blend the learning for my students and this blog is part of that effort. You can contact me at coretaskproject@gmail.com
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1 Response to An Open Letter from Washoe Basal Alignment Project Contributors

  1. Fran Edison says:

    Loved the easy breakdown of the standards for primary.. Super help!!!

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