Common Core Implemenation

Dream Common Core Implementation

Given the opportunity to provide my staff about information on the Common Core Standards I would have the staff come in two weeks before school began and paid the teachers $30/hour money (or more!) for their time spent looking at the standards and planning to use the standards. In my plan as you will read there will be documents pre-created for teachers to use at their disposal such as common core assessments, Correlation Report between current NV Standards and Common Core, and curriculum alignment to match their current curriculum to the common core standards. I believe with these documents and the steps below, the teachers will learn the common core and be ready to work with them throughout the year. I have limited to two weeks because even in my dreams teachers would probably only be able to look at the standards for two weeks straight. Any more time than that may cause burn out!

I.Introduction to Common Core Standards (Day 1)
a.Teachers will be shown the NCTM Common Core Standards PowerPoint: NCTM PowerPoint. This PowerPoint shows how the Common Core Standards were developed, how the standards are formatted and general ideas that would cover most questions about the standards. During and after the presentation, there will be time for questions and answers.

b.Teachers will then be provided with a copy of their grade level standards and a Standards Correlation Report comparing CCSD standards and the Common Core Standards.

c.Teachers will then be given time to meet in their grade levels to discuss the differences between the two groups of standards and come up with any questions they may have about the standards.

II.Discussing Grade Level Common Core Standards (Day 2 & 3)
a.The teachers will come together again and discuss their questions/concerns about the standards for their grade level. There will be a “Common Core standards” expert to answer the questions about the standards. (Remember, in my dream!)

b.Teachers will then meet with the grade below them and the grade above them (in two separate meeting times) to discuss their vertical alignment. This should allow teachers to see what students are expected to come in with and what they need to be ready for in the next grade level.

III.Assessments (Day 4 & 5)
a.During another meeting, teachers will be given sample tests to show them samples of test questions their students will need to be prepared for in the spring.

b.In addition, teachers will be given benchmark tests that will be given each trimester to the students to determine their acquisition of the content being taught. This will help teachers see what their students do not know throughout the year and concepts that need to be re-taught without having to create the assessments themselves.

IV.Curriculum (Day 6-10)
a.Teachers will be given a curriculum alignment to the new Common Core Standards. This alignment will show teachers which lessons need to be taught and the best possible order.

b.Once given the curriculum alignment, teachers will work with their grade levels to determine long term plans.

V.On-going Professional Development (3-4 full school days)
a.Throughout the year prior to the next trimester, teachers will be given time to work with their grade level to determine the next set of standards to be taught and to discuss the standards alignment with the curriculum to make long range plans. They will also determine questions they have about the standards that will be submitted to ‘the expert’.

VI.Overall Estimated Time for Professional Development
a.Introduction- 1 day
b.Meeting with various grade levels-2 days
c.Assessment Overview- 1 day
d.Curriculum Alignment- 1 week
e.Professional Development Throughout the year – 3 to 4 FULL Days


Reality

I.Common Core Standards Implementation
a.Teachers will be shown the NCTM PowerPoint. Questions will be asked and answers will be given to the best possible extent.

b.Teachers will then be given the Common Core Standards for their grade level. Grade levels will meet to discuss common core standards and to determine how to use current curriculum to teach these standards.

c.During grade level meetings throughout the year, teachers will discuss implementation of standards, assessments used with the standards and curriculum alignment with standards.

d.Professional Development will be given from the district and teachers will be encouraged to attend these meetings for more clarification.


II.Overall Estimated Time for Professional Development
a.Introduction to standards- 1.5 days
b.Professional Development throughout year- 250-500 minutes (50 minute periods)