Author: Admin

What Common Core IS and ISN’T

Admin1 Comment

There have been many jokes, comments, and criticisms against Common Core State Standards (aka Common Core/CC/CCSS). Many of them are made in ignorance; whether in not understanding the new standards or methods, I’m not sure. So let’s take a look at what Common Core is and isn’t.

What Common Core Is

Common Core is a group of standards (goals or objectives) that are set for all students. Some states have pulled out of Common Core, but still have their own state standards that are set for their students. CCSS simply states that for all students in Grade X, they will meet these objectives, regardless of where they live. So what 5th graders in CA are learning, is the same as what 5th graders in MI are learning. According to Common Core State Standards Initiative:

State education chiefs and governors in 48 states came together to develop the Common Core, a set of clear college- and career-ready standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. Today, 43 states have voluntarily adopted and are working to implement the standards, which are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to take credit bearing introductory courses in two- or four-year college programs or enter the workforce.

Seems pretty benign, right? One would think so. So why all the hate? Some groups have twisted the facts, and money makers (i.g. textbook companies) have put their own spin on it.

What Does a Standard Look Like?

Here are some Language Arts and Math Standards at different grade levels:

  • 3rd Grade Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.C
    Decode multisyllable words.
  • 7th Grade Writing: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.7
    Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
  • 1st Grade Math: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.C.6
    Subtract multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 from multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 (positive or zero differences), using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
  • 5th Grade Math: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.B.6
    Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.

What Common Core Isn’t

It isn’t a Standardized Test – The high stakes testing came about during George W. Bush’s Presidency with the introduction of No Child Left Behind. It also tied test scores to sanctions against poor performing schools.

It isn’t a specific way of solving a math problem; a method – Yes, both examples of math standards (above) state two (2) ways to solve. HOWEVER, nowhere does it state that a student must draw a subtraction problem in one particular way. NOR does it state that there is one correct equation format. Ideally, a teacher models several methods and the student chooses the one(s) that is/are right for him/her. The idea is to have the students actively thinking and solving problems in various ways.

It isn’t the same – No longer are we teaching the ‘shortcuts’. For example, telling students to regroup or ‘borrow’ with a problem like: 34 – 19. No longer do we just say, ‘More on the top, no need to stop; More on the floor go next door‘ without explaining (and showing through various models) why. It’s now about the deeper understanding.

Still Against Common Core?

Which standard should your child NOT learn?

Spring Cleaning

AdminLeave a comment

The things you find when you start cleaning house. This weekend I had had enough of my desk, in my home office. It was getting out of control! As I was sifting through everything, I ran across an article about something I started in October of 2008. I was ‘Skyping’ in the classroom before it was trendy.

I had to reread the article to remind myself of some of the details. The basics were that another teacher in the district (at another site) and I video chatted – well, our students did. I had gone to a meeting at our county office of education and gotten the idea from something I had seen there. We used Apple products – what our district invested in at the time – and iChat to communicate. We began with a closed network.

We had a great time that year. We began by focusing on speaking and listening skills, as many of our students were second language learners. We ‘met’ most Wednesdays to talk and share. At the end of the year, we met at a local non-profit art gallery. They were kind enough to let us use their backyard space for a picnic and gathering.

I love when spring cleaning results in such a treasure!

Inspiring Teachers

AdminLeave a comment

Lately I’ve been thinking, what makes a great teacher, an inspiring teacher?  What characteristics do they possess? Who do I aspire to be like?

creative commons licensed ( BY-NC-SA ) flickr photo shared by courosa

1. Sharing is Caring

These people share everything they do – FREELY. They share their ideas, successes, and failures. Whether they are sharing with people in the department, site, or on the Internet via blogging or tweeting. They realize that by sharing, not only are they impacting their students, they can impact hundreds.

2. It’s Not About Them

This goes along with sharing. These teachers realize that education is bigger than them, or their classrooms. It’s about helping to create thinkers, doers, and problem solvers. They understand that what they do is for the greater good.

3. Connected

These educators realize that in order to grow and learn, they need to seek out others. You can find them on Twitter, Google+, LinkdIn, writing blogs, etc. They attend conferences, local and otherwise.

4. A Need to Learn

The learning never stops. Thus the conferences, blog reading, #brewcues, #coffeecues, and ed tech meet-ups. They go back to school, enroll in MOOCs, or take courses. There is a constant need to learn and improve themselves.

5. Collaborators

Along with sharing and being connected, collaboration is another key. They listen, and welcome, other ideas. The act of building upon one another’s ideas is a regular conversation.

6 Humble and Uplifting

When I really thought about it, I realized these people are humble about their abilities and help others along on their journey. This, I think, is by far their greatest asset.

These are the qualities of a great teacher. This is what I aspire to be.

After-School Tutoring

AdminLeave a comment

The last few days, I’ve had students contacting me, at home online, to help them with their math homework. The first time, the student contacted me via email and we had a series of emails going back and forth. In class the next day, I mentioned how a student contacted me for help and how awesome that was.

The next day, I received a chat invite via Google Hangouts on my personal GMail account. My students know what the email is, but never (until now) use it. It’s used for web tools sites. She choose to contact me on this account as our district has disabled chat on the student domain. Here is a portion of our conversation:

How #awesomesauce is that? Next, I’m secretly (well not so secretly now) hoping that someone will figure out how to do the video chats and we’ll do a study group hangout.

This is what makes my job so awesome!

Becoming a Teacher

Admin3 Comments

This week’s #youredustory topic is:

“What was the defining moment you decided to be a teacher?”

Smoke Plume

So imagine that you are sitting in a smoke filled, windowless back room working as a telemarketer for some shady company one summer. Now imagine that you have decided to change your major, yet again. This is the story of how I decided to become a teacher.

Most people have some really great story about becoming a teacher. They were inspired by a teacher in their youth, maybe they were inspired by a parent who happened to be a teacher, or it was a drive within them that they’ve had since childhood. Yeah, my story isn’t flowery or touching; in fact, my story is somewhat embarrassing/depressing, in a ‘I can’t believe that really happened’ kind of way.

One summer I had returned home from college waffling over my latest choice in majors. I began college declaring I was going to be a Physical Therapist when I grew up. Then I changed my mind and declared I would be a nurse. Needless to say, neither one of those worked out and I needed to make some decisions.

That summer I was taking classes at a University that was closer to home and needed a job to pay for expenses. It was at this job, that I HATED, that I made the life choice to become a teacher – in a most uninspiring way.

I was hired to do telemarketing for a shady company. They sold magazines, and I was charged with calling places like Kmart and Sears in locations like Florida. My first day on the job, one of the other workers warned me that the company won’t mail out W2’s so I should keep all my pay stubs in order to file taxes (I did as suggested, and no the company never mailed out W2’s). All the other telemarketers were in their late teens early 20’s. I just remember a lot of cigarette smoke, no windows, and having to shower once I got home because of the stench.

One day at lunch I decided I needed to sit down and look at what majors my University offered. I had put in a few years and didn’t want to lose credits by changing universities (this was back in Michigan). And I was lazy and didn’t really want to apply at another university – too much work involved. So I pulled out the paper that listed all the majors available. I went through the list and thought, “Shit, nothing appeals to me”. I then decided to go through the list again – I was seriously NOT changing schools – and thought, “Okay, it will go on ‘the list’ [of possibilities] if I can even remotely see myself doing it”. I got to the E’s and found Elementary Education. I sighed and thought to myself that yeah, I can imagine doing this, but I’m only in the E’s there’ll be something else that catches my eye. I wasn’t all THAT thrilled. AND… I got to the end of the listed majors; Elementary Education was the only thing on my list of possibilities. So the next week, I went to my University and officially changed majors, again.

I told you it wasn’t the most inspiring story, but makes a great story to tell others. I clearly enjoyed the classes and my choice. Otherwise, I would have gone through that list and changed majors yet again.

I can honestly say that I have never regretted my decision. My journey to becoming the teacher I am today may have started off in a smoke filled, windowless room; it has taken me to amazing heights, down passion-filled roads, and connected me with inspiring educators. This is my story, and I’m sticking to it!

Why Do I Do What I Do?

AdminLeave a comment

This week’s #youredustory prompt:

“People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it” Simon Sinek – Why do you do what you do?

My first thought was, “My therapist would have a field day with this one [and me].”

https://www.flickr.com/photos/colinkinner/2200500024/

Someone once asked me how I could stay at the same job year after year and not get bored. Quite simply, it’s NOT the same job day after day, let alone year after year.

I do what I do because education is an ever changing entity. Theories, methods, and technology keep the classroom fresh and exciting. I am a person who loves to learn new things; I think most educators are the same way. Before teaching 5th grade, I taught 3rd for about 10 years. I never once taught the same lesson, exactly the same way, twice. I was constantly reflecting, and changing how I taught.

Change: it’s the beauty of our job. When we choose to continue to accept the positive changes, learn new techniques, and view each day as a learning experience, we can’t help but be fulfilled with “What We Do”.

So I do what I do, in part, because I’m selfish. I’m easily bored and need new challenges. Teaching affords me that luxury. Another reason I teach is because I get to inspire a love of learning through innovative and interesting ways. I get to show children how fun, and cool, fractions, technology, editing, creating, history, writing, and so much more can be!

I do what I do because it is inspiring!

Why I Love My Partner Teacher

AdminLeave a comment

In the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, a new 5th grade teacher was brought in. I’ll admit I was excited yet skeptical. I’ve worked with lots of teachers at my grade level and generally have gotten along with them, but never truly ‘clicked’ with another teacher. Until Mrs. Pursley came along.

And here is why I love (working with) her – in no particular order:

  • I can talk her into doing almost anything in a classroom, no matter how crazy it is. Within 2 months she was doing Genius Hour with me.
  • We both have a student-centered classroom.
  • I get random texts from her saying things like, “You complete me <3”
  • When asked if we do A.R. (Accelerated Reader) we both respond no (in a disgusted tone) and she adds ‘Cuz AR sucks’.
  • She calls me a Dork, when I’m being one.
  • I get to call her a Dork when she’s being one.
  • She will text me at random moments just to say something smarmy.
  • We share random 80’s aerobics videos back and forth – and we both secretly love them!
  • We generally have the same mentality (age) – that of a 12 year old.
  • We constantly laugh, mainly cuz of the mentality issue.

Seriously though, she’s awesome and just felt like sharing her awesomeness with the world.

Oh, and she’s one hell of a great teacher!