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School Transformation Through Arts Integration at Bates Middle School

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Blogs on Common Core Standards

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Creating Schoolwide PBL Aligned to Common Core

Eric Isselhardt, Ph.D.February 11, 2013

Tags Common Core Standards, Project-Based Learning, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Green Street Academy is a two-year-old public middle and high school in urban Baltimore, Maryland. One of the school's focuses is to embrace the green eco-sustainability movement and the new career paths it will generate. Like most schools, GSA is designed around extremely high academic standards that capture students' imaginations, stimulate their curiosities and inspire their successes. Unique to our program, though, is that last year we began the process of transforming the entire school to a true project-based learning (PBL) environment by the end of this school year. Here, are some of the transformation experiences -- both positive and negative -- we've had since beginning the shift.

Common Core and Print

Jonathan OlsenFebruary 8, 2013

Tags Common Core Standards, Comprehensive Assessment, Literacy, High (9-12), English Language Arts

Ten years from now, maybe sooner, you'll be able to find this article and laugh at its concept. Defending print -- how 20th century. As more schools move towards 1:1 computer-to-student ratios, as textbooks become digital and periodicals move online, it will become increasingly rare for students to avoid the glare from computer screens. However, my experiences in the classroom have shown that students can benefit tremendously from reading physical copies of print media.

How Will Common Core Change What We Do?

Erin PowersFebruary 5, 2013

Tags Accountability, Common Core Standards, Curriculum, Education Reform, Integrated Studies, All Grades

As full implementation of Common Core State Standards nears, educators are searching for answers to three questions: 1) What are the CC State Standards? 2) How will they change what I do? and 3) Why are they here? Some of the details are frustratingly elusive as various groups -- publishers, school districts, states, and universities -- jockey for positions in the first post-NCLB initiative.

Common Core Big Idea 5: Consider Meaningful Assessment

Jay McTigheDecember 7, 2012

Tags Common Core Standards, Curriculum, Education Reform

Editor's note: This is the fifth post in a five-part series which takes a look at five big ideas for implementation of the Common Core State Standards, authored by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins.

A prevalent misconception about standards in general is that they simply specify learning goals to be achieved. A more complete and accurate conception, in line with the colloquial meaning of the term, recognizes that standards also refer to the desired qualities of student work and the degree of rigor that must be assessed and achieved.

Common Core Big Idea 4: Map Backward From Intended Results

Jay McTigheDecember 6, 2012

Tags Common Core Standards, Curriculum, Education Reform, Teacher Development

Editor's note: This is the fourth post in a five-part series which takes a look at five big ideas for implementation of the Common Core State Standards, authored by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

Common Core Big Idea 3: Standards Must Be Unpacked

Jay McTigheDecember 5, 2012

Tags Common Core Standards, Curriculum, Education Reform, Teacher Development

Editor's note: This is the third post in a five-part series which takes a look at five big ideas for implementation of the Common Core State Standards, authored by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

Common Core Big Idea Series 2: The Standards Are Not Curriculum

Jay McTigheDecember 4, 2012

Tags Common Core Standards, Curriculum, Education Reform, Teacher Development

Editor's note: This is the second post in a five-part series which takes a look at five big ideas for implementation of the Common Core State Standards, authored by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

The Introduction to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics makes a noteworthy point: “These Standards do not dictate curriculum or teaching methods.” (p 5). A similar point is offered by the ELA Standards:

Common Core Big Idea Series 1: A New Blueprint

Jay McTigheDecember 4, 2012

Tags Common Core Standards, Curriculum, Education Reform, Teacher Development

Editor's note: This is the first post in a five-part series which takes a look at five big ideas for implementation of the Common Core State Standards, authored by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

Use Arts Integration to Enhance Common Core

Susan RileyNovember 30, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Common Core Standards, Integrated Studies, Lesson Plans, Music, Visual Arts

These days, integration in any area, be it STEM or the arts, seems to be the buzzword to curriculum designers everywhere. There are so many resources floating around out there with the claim of integrating content areas. Yet, true integration is often difficult to find. Indeed, integration is a rare yet seemingly "magical" approach that has the capacity to turn learning into meaningful practice.

Which of course, as any teacher will tell you, is anything but magic.

Using Photos With English-Language Learners

Larry FerlazzoOctober 4, 2012

Tags Common Core Standards, English-Language Learners, Lesson Plans, Online Learning, Student Engagement

"A picture is worth a thousand words."
-- Unknown

Though the origin of this popular adage is unclear, one thing is clear: using photos with English-Language Learners (ELLs) can be enormously effective in helping them learn far more than a thousand words -- and how to use them.