Novels to Know: Middle School Edition As part of our preparation for Common Core standards our district asked the librarians to put together a list of noteworthy novels that would help meet the higher standards for text complexity and reading level. My two middle grade partners, Monique German and Kristen Hearne, and I will be putting together the list for our level. Priority number one for me was to become as much of an expert on Common Core as I can so I have been spending time learning the details of our new standards. If you haven't read the details on how texts are evaluated I highly suggest reading Appendix A of the standards document. To look at a diagram comparing current Lexile bands by grade and the "stretch" bands for Common Core visit the Lexile site. This list does not impress me. I have been deliberately choosing books lately with this in mind. These are my top picks: Bluefish by Pat Schmatz: The Lexile is only 600, but the text complexity makes it a contender. Wonder by RJ Palacio: The Lexile is 790.

Steal These Tools / Close Reading Exemplars Loading [MathJax]/extensions/MathMenu.js Jump to a Section Close Reading Model Lessons Sign up to receive updates from us. Featured Lessons Download All Send us your feedback These sets of 2-6 lessons include: Complex TextsText-dependent QuestionsVocabularyWriting AssignmentsAssessment Questions* *Not all lesson sets include assessment questions Close Reading Model Lessons The Wind by James Reeves Grades K-2 fiction. View Details The Moon: Research Project Grade 1 fiction and nonfiction (Relevant for Grades K-2); created by Pat Fitzsimmons, Diana Leddy, Lindy Johnson, Sue Biggam, and Suzan Locke View Details Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (with mini-assessment) Grade 3 fiction. View Details The Fisherman and His Wife translated by Lucy Crane Grade 3 fiction (Relevant for Grades 2-4); Story originally published in Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm. View Details The Making of a Scientist by Richard Feynman Grade 6 nonfiction (Relevant for Grades 5-7). View Details Grade 6 nonfiction. View Details

Common Core Standards in Action Understanding the Common Core As schools prepare for new assessments aligned to the Common Core, it is important to remember that students will be tested against newer, more rigorous standards and a change in scores does not mean our students know less than they did the year before. Rather, it means we have a new beginning and a new set of goals against which to start measuring progress." - Executive Director of Smarter Balanced In order to ready students for college and careers and the Common Core exams, we first need to look at how we teach. Students need to know how to think critically.Students need to know how to analyze information.Students need to know how to solve problems. So how can we make the shift to Common Core expectations? By themselves, the Common Core State Standards is a static list of student competencies. Watch Video

Fountas & Pinnell The Common Core Standards for Language and Literacy and The Continuum of Literacy Learning, Grades PreK–8: A Guide to Teaching There is a strong relationship between the new Common Core Standards for Language and Literacy and Fountas and Pinnell’s The Continuum of Literacy Learning. The goal of both documents is to ensure that all students are college-/and career-ready literate no later than the end of high school. The curriculum goals specifically detailed in the Continuum reach for this high level of skill by the end of eighth grade. Click on the links below to review: © Copyright 2010. The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Fountas & Pinnell LLI System Test Preparation The Common Core State Standards align with Test Preparation items in the Fountas & Pinnell LLI Intermediate Systems. State Specific Resources Prekindergarten State Specific Standards for Language and Literacy and The Continuum of Literacy Learning, Grades PreK-8: A Guide to Teaching

Tasks, Units & Student Work - Common Core Library Keywords (optional) Enter keywords (e.g., K.OA.3, informational text, arguments, quadratic equations, etc.) Grade (select at least one) Subject (select one) NYC educators and national experts are developing Common Core-aligned tasks embedded in a unit of study to support schools in implementing the Citywide Instructional Expectations. Search a growing assortment of Common Core-aligned tasks, units and student work by keyword, grade level, subject area and Common Core Learning Standard. The components of the Common Core-aligned tasks with instructional supports include: Unit overview and task description Teacher-annotated student work representing a range of performance levels Rubrics used to assess student work Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles Other instructional support materials To learn more about the components of these tasks and units and for help navigating the interactive student work, watch our virtual training modules. NEW!

Common-Core Writers Craft Curriculum Criteria Published Online: July 22, 2011 New guidelines on crafting curriculum materials for the common standards in English/language arts are reigniting debate about how to ensure a marketplace of good instructional materials for the new standards without crossing the line into telling teachers how to teach. The focal point of the conversations is a set of “publishers’ criteria” issued recently by the two lead writers of the English/language arts section of the common standards, which have been adopted by all but five states. Working under a contract with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an avid backer of the standards, David Coleman and Susan Pimentel wrote a pair of documents highlighting the key ideas of the standards and describing the qualities of instructional materials they consider a faithful reflection of them. The criteria center on aspects of the standards that represent a significant shift. . The impetus behind the criteria, Ms. Validating Materials Teacher Training Linda P. Mr. Mr.

Charles A. Dana Center Common Core Video Series Education Commissioner John King, David Coleman and Kate Gerson explain every key aspect of Common Core standards in depth. By viewing this 15-part series, New York educators and administrators will learn step-by-step how to implement the Common Core for ELA/Literacy and Math in their schools and classrooms. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the rationale behind the Common Core and what it will mean for students across our state. Produced in partnership with NYS PBS stations WCNY/Syracuse and WNET/New York City, the series illuminates the Common Core through conversations between Commissioner King, a former high school social studies teacher and middle school principal; Coleman, a contributing author of the Common Core State Standards; and Gerson, a Senior Fellow with the USNY Regents Research Fund and a former high school English teacher and principal. Viewing the Videos The Common Core videos can be viewed online or downloaded from the links below for offline viewing.

Program of Inquiry--IB Units / Overview Sessions Elementary International Baccalaureate School Dear Parents/Guardians and Community members, As staff at an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme school (IB-PYP), we are often asked to describe the program to parents/guardians and community members. First of all, let’s visit the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) and Kate Sessions Mission Statements: The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. The Programme: The five Essential Elements: