ISKME’s “Teachers Advancing Common Core Learning” project addresses teacher isolation by building networks of collaborators.
The project is part of the Teacher Practice Networks Initiative, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
For the past 18 months, as a researcher and lead on ISKME’s Primary Source Project, I have been part of a group of twelve educators across eight states to create an open collection of primary sources and lessons that meet the Common Core’s requirement for increased used of informational and non-fiction literary texts across core subjects. We have also been working together to develop an instructional design toolkit to help teachers both create and also implement new curriculum to meet the Common Core State Standards.
We started off the project with four primary goals:
Many adults claim to be bad at math. I hope as math teachers incorporate Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics, more students will learn to appreciate – even love – math. Students who develop this drive will appreciate math as adults, and be well-positioned for tomorrow’s jobs. With adequate resources and opportunities for collaboration, teachers will rise to the challenge of supporting students with the new standards.
It used to be that only language arts teachers were expected to help their students learn to read, write, speak and listen. But Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have changed this. Now, all teachers are required to build their students’ literacy skills.
This is good news. It can bring us closer to making sure all students have the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills they need to be successful. But how many teachers actually know how to do this? And what do teachers say can help them?
Teachers collaborating to bring the Common Core to life—sounds simple and sensible. But what does it look like in practice? Members of the Center for Teaching Quality’s Collaboratory are already knee-deep in implementation. I asked them to share some starting points for collaborating around the Common Core. Here’s their advice: