Using NGSS for Students’ Deeper Understanding

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

Dr. Terry K. Talley, of Rice University, is offering a free course on the Next Generation Science Standards through the Coursera platform. From the overview: This course is designed to guide science educators towards an understanding of the NRC Framework and how to integrate the Scientific and Engineering Design Practices into classroom instruction.

Coursera partners with universities to offer courses for anyone to take, for free. The classes work like most online opportunities with readings, video and discussion boards to move users through materials in a productive manner. You can sign up to Coursera and view all of their courses here and the Framework for Science Education course here.

Posted in Next Generation Science Standards | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Social Studies Close Read Exemplars Get a New Link!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

Periodically, Edmodo switches things up and the links to the social studies close reading exemplars change. If you have been struggling accessing, a) it’s not our fault –at least we don’t think it is and b) you can now use this new link.

If you are unfamiliar with this resource, it includes over 30 close reads for grades 7th through 12th in US history, government and world history. Recently the following close reads were added:

  • 6th Grade Folder: Concepts in Medieval Magic
  • 8th Grade Folder: American Indians and Buffalo Soldiers
  • 8th Grade Folder: Memories recalled by a 49er woman for her daughter in 1881
Posted in Social Studies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Broad Knowledge Drives Literacy

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

In a piece (here) included in the The Herff Jones Achievement Series, the case is made for how a “broad academic knowledge base” leads to strong literacy development. To make the point, the following example is shared:

If a hunter with a shotgun says, “There’s a grouse across that field, maybe 100 yards away,” and his friend says, “Well, shoot,” what does the friend mean?

Unless you’ve hunted grouse before or talked extensively to someone who has, the meaning of the friend’s statement is ambiguous. Unless you know that shotguns aren’t very accurate at 100 yards — and that a grouse that has flown from its cover disappears very rapidly — you might think the friend is encouraging the hunter to fire his gun. In fact, he is expressing frustration.

Building a coherent body of knowledge is a big part of improving vocabulary and comprehension with students.  Likewise, it is an important part of accessing the Common Core. You can watch Robert Pondiscio make a similar point here or Dr. Dan Willingham describe the importance of background knowledge here.

Posted in Content Knowledge | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UNR Students Explore the Instructional Shifts and IPGs

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

Students at the University of Nevada, Reno explored content, matched to the Common Core, in order to develop an understanding of the “role of the teacher in curriculum development and implementation.” Dr. Margaret Ferrara’s preservice teachers worked through David Coleman’s presentation on the instructional shifts; applied the Instructional Practice Guides to an 11th grade lesson demonstration; and learned about resources aligned to the CCSS. The PowerPoint can be downloaded here.

Posted in Professional Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Social Emotional Learning

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

In a TEDx speech shared at the University of Nevada, Reno, Trish Shaffer describes the importance and value of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Shaffer highlights studies that demonstrate the academic value of using SEL strategies in the classroom. Shaffer argues that we need to teach more than cognitive skills such as grit, perseverance and empathy. We need to teach students how to effectively communicate and engage in discourse.

The non-cognitive dimensions are reflected in the Instructional Practice Guides through Core Action 3. That is, students who will be successful with Common Core will “persist in efforts,” engage in “discussion and collaboration” and work towards “independence.” You can view Shaffer’s entire speech here.

Posted in Social Emotional Learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CCSS and Skills Based Reading Instruction

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

As we move deeper into Common Core implementation, knowing the position of skills instruction and how to build a “coherent body of knowledge” becomes paramount. This was the focus of Friday’s professional learning with video from Dr. Tim Shanahan and Dr. Dan Willingham; print material from Deborah Meiers and Robert Pondiscio; and a review of resources well-matched to these outcomes.

The PowerPoint with links to the video and Meiers and Pondsicio articles can be found here. The notetaker can be found here.

Posted in Professional Development | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Valuing the ‘Non-Cognitive Dimensions’ of Students

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

In January, College Board President David Coleman shared a vision for making sure more low-income students are allowed to take part in higher education. The video is linked here and you can hear Coleman outline this effort as part of a larger panel discussion that included Dan Porterfield, President, Franklin & Marshall; Sal Khan, Founder and Executive Director, Khan Academy; and Janet Napolitano, President, University of California. At minute 31:42, Coleman describes the importance of the “non-cognitive dimension” in measuring those who succeed versus those who don’t. Coleman elaborates by noting “sustained practice of an activity” is the best predictor of college completion.

Coleman reminds us that “grit, determination, resilience” are paramount if students are going to be successful with the Common Core or any academic outcome.

Posted in College Board, Social Emotional Learning | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our New Site: www.63000resources.com

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

A popular request from teachers and admin is to organize all of the literacy resources that are included in Core Task Project, professional development trainings and blog postings. We’ve done this and they can be found at www.63000resources.com. Educators will find the following topics and subtopics: professional learning, leadership, assessment, lessons, free student materials, lesson demonstrations, writing, close reading, exemplars, webinars, PowerPoints, item types, and CCSS resources.

(Thanks for all of the gentle nudges… we hope you find the website useful.)

Posted in Common Core State Standards, Core Task Project, Professional Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Close Reading Exemplar: We are the Ship

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

Cathy Schmidt, Elementary Training Coordinator with Striving Readers, has written the following close reading exemplar for an excerpt from Kadir Nelson’s book, “We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.” We currently have the exemplar tagged to the 3-5 band and hope to narrow that further. You can download the exemplar here.

Cathy also maintains a ScoopIt! page that allows educators to keep current on CCSS policy, implementation, and instructional ideas. You can access Thinking Common Core here.

Posted in Close Reading | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Common Core Exemplar Videos and Free Lesson Plans

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Aaron Grossman

Washoe County School District teachers Loree Gerboth and Sara Holm were filmed for a project developed by America Achieves with videos being created to provide examples of what Common Core looks like in the classroom. The videos by Gerboth and Holm include annotations, lesson plans, and explicit links to the “instructional shifts.” Gerboth’s video is an example of doing a close read with 1st graders and Holm’s video provides an example of keeping text at the center of instruction for struggling readers.

Free registration is required to access a rich bank of videos and lessons including two  more efforts from Washoe teachers Chris Hayes and Michelle Herschbach. You can register here.

Posted in Instructional Shifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment