ELA Common Core Resources for Elementary Educators

How will the Common Core shift English-language arts learning in elementary school? Well, the transition to more nonfiction readings has certainly received the most attention, but that's just one subtle way. To help parents understand these shifts, we've compiled some of the best Common Core resources from around the Web.

There are also plenty of useful resources for educators here too, from sample lessons and assessments, to classroom practice video series. With full implementation of the CCSS set for next fall, many nonprofits and publishers are racing to put together useful resources for parents, educators and students. Here are some of the most helpful aligned with Common Core ELA at the elementary level.

• Get to the Core Webinar Series: ASCD’s Get to the Core features insightful, engaging webinars on all things Common Core. They’re all archived and free, and they’re hosted by education thought-leaders. Although they broadly cover Common Core, a few are aligned specifically to English-language arts.
• Side-by-Side Comparision of Old and New Standards: The Foundation for Excellence in Education has a ton of great Common Core resources on their website, but this comparison will help you visualize some of the shifts in elementary ELA. Also, check out the foundation’s Common Core toolkit for other useful information.
• Open Common Core Resources from OER Commons: Launched by the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education, OER Commons has kept up with Common Core. Now, they offer a variety of resources -- from reference materials to outside links -- and you can also browse open ed resources by grade-level. (Here’s OER Commons ELA resources for primary grades.)
• ‘Literacy in Practice’ -- Common Core Resources from AchievetheCore.org: Student Acheivement Partners -- a national education nonprofit -- launched AcheivetheCore.org to provide teachers and parents a variety of CCSS resources. Direct your attention to Literacy in Practice section, where you’ll find sample lessons and assessment questions for close readings, student writing samples, instructional videos and aligned materials.
• Common Core Navigator from LearnZillion: This site offers Common Core-aligned, personalized lessons in ELA and math. Currently, lessons are available in 3-12, but K-2 lessons are coming soon. Also, here’s a quick primer video describing how it works:
• Parent and Family Resources to Prepare for Common Core: EngageNY -- a resource website produced by the New York State Department of Education -- produced some valuable Common Core resources for parents and families. Here, you’ll find tips articles, videos, guides and a host of other learning materials.
• Reading Rockets’ Getting Started with the Common Core: There’s a lot of great information to help parents and educators understand the Common Core, from its origins to how it will shift classroom practice. Also included are links an engaging video series from the Teaching Channel. The second-part of the article -- Common Core and ELLs: Key Shifts in Language Arts and Literacy -- is another must-read.