Author Archives: Aaron Grossman

Unknown's avatar

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

David Coleman on Bloomberg Radio

David Coleman, lead author of the Common Core ELA standards, was on Bloomberg radio this weekend describing his new role as the President of the College Board. In his interview with Jane Williams, Coleman notes what parents need to know … Continue reading

Posted in College Board, Common Core State Standards, Student Achievement Partners | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Text Complexity Slides

Denise Alterio, of Sullivan County BOCES, has put together the following Prezi describing text complexity (here). It proves a nice introduction to standard 10 and the implications for looking at text complexity through quantitative and qualitative measures as well as … Continue reading

Posted in Common Core State Standards, Complex Text, text complexity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Complex Matter of Text Complexity”

Robert Rothman, writing for the Harvard Education Letter, shares insight and research governing the inclusion of text complexity in the Common Core State Standards. In short, high school students are practicing with texts that are well below what they will … Continue reading

Posted in Common Core State Standards, Complex Text, text complexity | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Liben Presentation to WCSD Educators Now Available

David Liben, Meredith Liben, and Rachelle Etienne, of Student Achievement Partners, were in Reno on August 20th sharing strategies to effectively implement the Common Core. They focused on text complexity, text-dependent questions, syntax, academic vocabulary, writing to sources and the … Continue reading

Posted in Academic Vocabulary, CCSS, Common Core State Standards, Core Task Project, Instructional Shifts, Student Achievement Partners, text complexity, Text-Dependent Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The WCSD Writing Philosphy

Washoe’s 7-12 ELA Program Coordinator, Kim Cuevas, was instrumental in crafting and sharing a “Writing Philosophy” within the district. The document has eight elements including the importance of teachers using a mentor text, graphic organizers, and conferencing with their students. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pinnacle Posts on the BAP

Pinnacle has posted a story on Washoe’s participation in the Basal Alignment Project. You can read the entire article by clicking here.

Posted in Basal Alignment Project, Common Core State Standards, Instructional Shifts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Introducing the Common Core and the Shifts

Kevin Hodgson has put together a Prezi  (here) as an introduction to the Common Core State Standards and the “instructional shifts.” Keep in mind, if you choose to watch, that Nevada is part of SBAC and not PARCC.

Posted in CCSS, Common Core State Standards, Instructional Shifts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Keep it or Junk it” an ESL Perspective

Dr. Pete Cobin, ELL Consultant with Washoe County School District, reviewed the lesson “Keep it or Junk it” and shared the following: There are two things in particular that I noticed. The emphasis on “What are you thinking? How do … Continue reading

Posted in Academic Vocabulary, CCSS, Common Core State Standards, Complex Text, English Learners, Instructional Shifts, text complexity, Text-Dependent Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Core Shift Blast is Back!

The Core Shift Blast is back! Authored by K-6 ELA Program Coordinator Torrey Palmer, the blast provides insights into the Common Core so educators have an acute sense of what it takes to align instruction to the CCSS. The first … Continue reading

Posted in CCSS, Common Core State Standards, Complex Text, Core Shifts Blast, Text-Dependent Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sierra Vista & Westergard Train on the Basal Alignment Project

Sierra Vista and Westergard trained on the Basal Alignment Project today. Listed below are the resources used for the training as well as other materials referenced during the 90-minute session. Training Materials BAP Training PowerPoint Tomas and the Library Lady Questions Pictorial … Continue reading

Posted in Academic Vocabulary, Basal Alignment Project, CCSS, Common Core State Standards, Complex Text, Instructional Shifts, text complexity, Text-Dependent Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment