Common Core Standards

             The Common Core State Standards requirements have become the core to teaching methods, which can be intimidating for veteran teachers. I believe that the common core is needed and very unique for its innovative ways of providing expectations, but also allowing space for curriculum design and approach. The CCSS helps students receive individualized instruction for their classroom needs.

             Many great points are clarified through this chapter with a clear and concise explanation. One being the adversities students face when living in a low poverty area. These students are at unfair odds when compared to the wealthy. When looking at student success, the goals are set for all students. There is not one goal for the " at risk " and higher goals for the wealthy,because of course this would not be far. So why jumble all students into one boiling pot? Well, I believe all students deserve the best education, all students deserve a chance to succeed. So it only makes sense to design a educational outline that promotes equality.

         These lines by Richard Beach, the author of Teaching to Exceed The English Language Arts Common Core State Standards really stood out to me, " Standards provide a definition of what is possible, but standards are not curriculum documents...It is teachers as knowledgeable and engaged professionals who are the most important factor in the improvement of adolescent literacy". The part that is uncomfortable for teachers is that they are not handed what to teach, but given specifics on what their teaching should reach. Becoming comfortable with your ability to reach students on a deeper level without being handed the answers is one thing that I am still learning and continuing to learn about myself through the CCSS.

        I find that the CCSS for the language arts is easy to understand yet set to develope a well rounded student. Students are not only required to apply skills, but are expected to reach further and further into a well synthesized idea or conclusion based on research and collaboration. I find that the higher in grade the more complex the ELA is . These standards help guide the expectations from plateauing. The student is expected to continue to grow by allowing them to expand their thoughts and ideas. This allows students to trust what they know and their ability to recreate.

      As Beach says, "Common Core is a road map for developing your own curriculum that is relevant to your unique students". I love this statement because the focus is on the students and not what sounds the easiest. Common Core may be on the newer side of discovery for teachers, but is a well rounded approach to teaching and learning that will continue to exist, why not master the technique.