8 examples of Common Core State Standards

Depending on whom you talk to, Common Core is either the monster under the bed or the light at the end of the tunnel.  The awareness campaign for Common Core State Standards is just barely underway and there is a lot of speculation and rumors going around that has led to some interesting ideas about what we can expect when the Common Standards fully roll out in 2014.

If you are seeking the ultimate source of truth on the matter, I suggest you check out www.corestandards.org.  This is the official Common Core State Standards site.  It’s well laid out, easy to navigate and spending just a few minutes reviewing the basics of the standard can go a long way to dispel the mystery of this new national education standard.

They also posted a Common Core Myths and Facts page on the site to address some of the misinformation that has started to circulate about Common Core Standards.

Each subject area and grade level has its own section within the standard, which makes it easy to hone in on exactly what will apply to you as an educator.  One overarching point that applies to all teachers is the central teaching philosophy of Common Core State Standards :

The best understanding of what works in the classroom comes from the teachers who are in them. That’s why these standards will establish what students need to learn, but they will not dictate how teachers should teach. Instead, schools and teachers will decide how best to help students reach the standards.

In my opinion, this is the most essential aspect of the Common Core Standard.  I have posted before about how no one is better positioned or equipped to know what is going to work in a classroom than the teacher who runs it.  No two classes are alike.  Different students, different towns, different demographics, different learning styles all make each class a unique teaching challenge and no universal standard could ever address every possible scenario.

The Common Core State Standards approach of defining the required student competencies without dictating the teaching method is definitely a step in the right direction.  It will provide an opportunity to gain significant efficiency for education on a national level while still honoring the essential role that individual teachers play in molding curriculum and pedagogy to fit the unique circumstances of their class.

With that said there is still the question of what does the standard require, how should a teacher approach the transition and what tools and resources exist to support them in the process.

Well if you are already using Collaborize Classroom you have a significant leg up.  Why?  Because Collaborize Classroom is specifically designed to make it easy to meet or exceed major components of the Common Core Standard.

8 examples of Collaborize Classroom helping teachers address the requirements of the Common Core State Standards.

1. Technology Integration and Fluency: The Common Core State Standards require students as early as 4th grade to “use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as interact and collaborate with others.”  Using CC provides a space for students to communicate and collaborate in a safe online environment to develop reading, writing and language fluency skills.
2. Media literacy: Students must be able to think critically about and effectively use media. CC makes it easy to introduce a wide range of media for students to work with. They also have the opportunity to share their multimedia projects in a safe online environment.
3. Speaking and Listening Skills: The Common Core State Standards want students to “engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.” As any teacher can attest, it is challenging to facilitate real time conversations in class that include the majority of students. Beginning discussions online where students have time to process the information, write a thoughtful response, and engage with their peers gives them the confidence needed to jump into rapidly moving in-class discussions.
4. Opinion/Argument Writing:  English language arts, history/social science, and science all require opinion pieces in upper elementary and argument writing from 6-12 grade. The Collaborize Classroom Yes/No question structure is ideal for teaching students to form an opinion and support it.
5. Writing Across Disciplines: The standards are built on an integrated model of literacy. All subject areas must include a focus on developing reading and writing fluency. CC provides a space for students to read docs (save paper) and articulate their thoughts in writing making it much easier to address this aspect of Common Core State Standards.
6. Student-Centered Classroom: Using online discussions and activities complement the traditional curriculum (and/or flip instruction) makes it easier for teachers to design student-centered activities in the classroom that allow students to work together in groups to problem solve, research and think critically. These skills are necessary to prepare them for the communication and collaboration skills needed beyond high school. These are skills at the heart of the college and career readiness standards, which serve as the backbone of the Common Core State Standards.
7. Grouping for Success: Collaborize Classroom supports the grouping of students by ability, interest, learning style, language proficiency, or at random to best support student learning.
8. Real World Problems/Skills: Collaborize Classroom makes it possible to engage students in real world problem solving that is an essential element of the math standards. Providing a space for students to come together to discuss problems and brainstorm solutions will create the adaptive expertise needed to tackle real life problems with confidence.

These components of the Common Core standard convey the importance of 21st century skills in a modern education. Some people would say that means we just have more to teach now, but I feel like it means we just need to look at a different way of teaching.

The tools we need to bring education into the 21st century are already here and the new Common Core State Standards gives educators the latitude to find and use the tools that work best for them.  If you haven’t already tried Collaborize Classroom, take 5 minutes to launch your own free online learning platform and check it out.

Even if you still think Common Core State Standards is a monster under the bed, at least knowing that you have Collaborize Classroom should help you sleep better at night.