If there is one way that you can begin implementing the writing and speaking/listening portions of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in a simplified, manageable, high bang-for-your-buck fashion, it’s simply this: have students argue. Frequently. Whether you teach science, social studies, technical subjects, ELA, even math, argument is a dependable path to enlivening your […]
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What’s the C3 Framework, and How does it Affect Your Social Studies Class?
In case you haven’t heard, the moment all of us social studies teachers have been curiously looking forward to — the release of national social studies content standards — has come. Or not. At this month’s National Council of Social Studies (NCSS) Conference, where the national standards were expected to be unveiled, social studies gurus […]
Keyboarding Skills and the Common Core
If you’re a K-6er trying to incorporate the grade-specific Common Core State Standards (CCSS), you’ve probably noticed an interesting skillset nestled within anchor standard W.CCR.6: keyboarding! That’s right! While I spoke about W.CCR.6 as an anchor standard in this post, I didn’t delve into the grade-specific standards contained within it, and therefore I didn’t really […]
How to Get Students to Really Listen, Summarize/Paraphrase, and Respond to Peers
If you’re noticing a large gap between your students’ speaking skills and the ambitious Speaking and Listening Standards within the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), you’re not alone: many teachers that I talk to share how difficult it is to have discussions or debates in which students actually listen to one another and respond. Mentioning […]
Where have I been all your life? + Updates
In case you didn’t notice, last week we, the incredibly awesome, burgeoning community at Teaching the Core officially dominated the Common Core anchor standards. And then, tragically, the almost daily, always magical posting stopped. So what happened? I wrote about all 32 anchor standards, for crying out loud! I was spent. I needed some time […]