What Teachers Need to Know About the Common Core State Standards

As an educator for over twenty years, I’ve witnessed numerous initiatives to improve the quality of education. With the introduction of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), I think we are finally emerging from a more “Standards Abused” era in education.

I am not naïve enough to believe that the CCSS are going to cure everything that challenges teaching and learning in our classrooms. However, I am optimistic that CCSS is a vehicle for us (educators) to go back to what we all first knew.

What we all first knew is that good and effective teaching is not rooted in multiple-choice tests. Instead, student achievement is a result of effective teaching that is based on research, sound pedagogical practices, and theory. CCSS also recognizes that teachers are the best ones to decide the most effective teaching methodologies for reaching the rigorous expectations of this new set of standards. It is time for us to get back to what we know, as educators, what are the best ways in which we can teach our students.

CCSS is a vehicle for us to get back to what we know is best for our students.

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Top 12 Presidents' Day Classroom Activities

Keep kids focused on the classroom – not the long weekend – with one of these fun lesson ideas and learning activities to celebrate President’s Day!

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What Teachers Make: Interview with Teacher, Poet Taylor Mali

Taylor Mali is a poet and former teacher that went viral when his poem defending teachers went viral on YouTube, getting millions of hits worldwide. In March 2012, Mali will release a book entitled What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World will add depth and breadth to his argument in support of teachers.

In this exclusive TeachHUB interview, Mali shares his experiences as a poet, internet sensation and most importantly, a teacher and advocate for all teachers.

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Seeking Something Better Than Parent Trigger

Last summer, California’s State Board of Education passed new regulations to the Parent Empowerment Act, or “parent trigger” law, which has sparked contentious debates among education stakeholders.

As the trends grows and more states pass similar parent trigger laws, it is worthwhile to review some lessons learned from California.

Here are three objections that should be considered regarding the parent trigger law:

1. It’s wrong to assume that we can identify with enough precision which schools are underperforming.

2. Without strict regulation, it will not provide real parent empowerment.

3. The solutions don’t address the problem, or offer better chances of success.

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Discover the Power of Wordless Books

Wordless picture books have been around for well over 60 years. Almost every learning objective in the language arts curriculum of every grade level can be taught or enhanced using them. However, wordless books are most often associated with emergent readers, typically preschool and kindergarten aged students.

When I moved from the kindergarten classroom to fourth grade, I thought I would leave them behind but boy was I wrong! Wordless books are so flexible in their use that they can easily be used in the middle grade classroom. They enhance the creativity, vocabulary, and language development of all readers, at all stages for reading development!

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65 Free Interactive Whiteboard Resources

Interactive whiteboards are a great way for teachers to engage classrooms in learning. While many teachers are spending hours a day creating their own activities for their interactive whiteboards, there are tons of free sources to help teachers learn about and use IWBs with students.

Here is a list of 65 interactive whiteboard resources and activities guaranteed to stimulate learning:

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Spark Enthusiasm with Seasonal Lessons

Seasonal activities are a great way to actively engage kids in learning, and it’s easier than you might think to create holiday-themed lessons. In this article I’ll share where to find free and inexpensive seasonal activities and how to create your own holiday activities aligned with your curriculum.

When I first began teaching, I thought holiday activities were just for young children and they didn’t have a place in the upper grades. But later I collaborated with several other teachers to present a series of monthly cooperative learning support meetings in my district, and my eyes were opened!

I realized that holidays offer a wealth of content that can be used for instruction, and you can easily create fun, engaging lessons that stimulate higher-level thinking. Kids can get bored with the same daily routines, and including a seasonal activity from time to time sparks enthusiasm in the classroom. Holiday activities also allow you to integrate content across multiple curriculum areas which makes the learning process even more fun and engaging!

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