Joe Willhoft: “Leading the Way”

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

Principal Leadership posted a piece on how to prepare for the next-generation assessments that are associated with the Common Core. Joe Willhoft, the executive director of SBAC, authors the article and he signals what resources will soon be available for principals. This includes a digital library, materials, and newsletters to assist with communication.

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“Why the Common Core is Worth Our Positive Attention”

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

Peter DeWitt, in a piece for EdWeek, makes the case for why the Common Core State Standards will have a positive impact on schools. Weighed against the very real challenges we all have to contend with, DeWitt systematically makes the argument that the CCSS, when viewed through the lens of the Six Shifts of the Common Core, “offer us the opportunity to teach students the necessary skills they need to survive in the world.”

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The CCSS: Starting Now

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

In the December 2012/January 2013 issue of Educational Leadership, the Core Task Project is shared as part of the answer to this question: “What can you do to move your school or district forward in implementing the Common Core State Standards?” The article gets in right in noting that the CTP is a teacher led effort. That is, this work started with 18 fourth and fifth grade teachers who tried a Close Reading Exemplar and shared their experience with their peers and district personnel.

You can read the entire article here. Also linked in the piece are free educational resources as well as items that align well with the intent of the CCSS.

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Guiding Principles of the Arts

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

Those who are familiar with the close reading strategy will likely appreciate this document from the New York State Department of Education: Guiding Principles of the Arts. As in close reading, careful observation and attention to what the artist (or author) is trying to say is paramount. The parallels between the arts and the literacy classroom are important and this document assists with providing some structure as we move forward with CCSS.

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Core Shift Blast 7: Skills and Strategies

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

Want to know more about the role of skills and strategies in the Common Core? Torrey Palmer shares her answer and the thoughts of a number of academics in Core Shift Blast 7. You can also read how 3rd grade teacher, Chris Hayes, is contending with this issue.

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Educators Train on Updated CTP

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

Washoe educators participated in a slightly modified version of the Core Task Project. The handouts and materials have been updated including a new video link as well as a new exemplar. You can download all of the content used during the presentation by following the links below.

Core Task Project, November 29th PowerPoint

Grade 5 The President’s Message Close Reading Exemplar (New)

6=3 Shift Display

Coleman PARCC Notetaker

November 29th Session Notetaker

The “instructional shifts” PDF

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Washoe Trains on the Primary Core Task Project

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

Kindergarten Coordinator Kacey Edgington moved K-2 teachers through a primary version of the Core Task Project. You can access all of the content from the presentation by clicking on the links below.

Primary Core Task Project PowerPoint

6=3 Shift Display

Coleman PARCC Notetaker

November 29th Session Notetaker

The “instructional shifts” PDF

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College-Readiness Definition

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

SBAC has released Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) matched to Common Core (here) and college-readiness. You can read an analysis of this work by EdWeek.

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What Teachers Can Learn from the New PARCC and SBAC Sample Assessment Items

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki shares some insight into the new assessment items released by SBAC and PARCC. She reveals her enthusiasm for the items because she sees them as validation of good instruction. She highlights the “instructional shifts” (minute 12:45) as evidence of a move away from a narrow skill-based curriculum to stronger classroom practices. She continues by reviewing several items including: 10th grade at minute 13:59, 3rd grade at minute 15:57, 7th grade at 17:27, 11th at 19:05 and 6th grade at 22:02.  A big feature of the items is the emphasis on evidence and the value of developing a coherent body of knowledge. You can download the webinar here.

SBAC sample items can be found here.

PARCC sample items can be reviewed here.

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More Rewrites Added to Washoe’s 6th Grade BAP Folder

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Aaron Grossman

As many readers know, Washoe started an effort to rewrite the questions and culminating activities for the 6th grade HMH materials. Following the procedures outlined by the Council of Great City Schools and Student Achievement Partners, questions and culminating assignments have been rewritten so they are more closely aligned to the Common Core.

In the last week, four new rewrites have been added to the district’s Edmodo folder. You can access these resources by using this link.

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