Digging Deeper to Understand Implications of Standards Unpacking ELA Standards

Sample Page from CCCS - ELA Strand Subheading Standard 2 2

Examine Key Words in Standards Verbs Indicate what students should be able to do in each standard (both C and R and grade level) Have implications for assessment and instruction. May indicate discrete skill or facet of understanding such as explanation, application, interpretation, etc. Verbs are the most important part of performance based standards.

Examine Key Words in Standards Nouns Identify specific topics, concepts, content or products. Indicate what students should know. May have implications for product students must produce. Content/concept=what students should know.

Examine Key Words in Standards Modifiers: Adjectives and Adverbs The qualifying adverbs or adjectives in the phrases will typically be the key criteria, and can be turned into rubrics. To what level or extent must the student perform? Qualifiers=criteria/expectation of learning; degree of competence.

An Example from Common Core for Writing Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. Underline the nouns, circle the verbs, and place parentheses around modifiers. Note that this standard applies not only to ELA, but to science and social studies as well. Practice in unpacking the Standards.

Your Turn Take the following standard and “unpack” it: verbs (circle); nouns (underline); qualifiers (parentheses): 1 Initiate and participate selectively in a range of collaborative discussions…on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. Come to discussions prepared… explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence form texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas. The average classroom teacher hasn’t dealt with the standards in this way. Teachers need to be shown how to look at standards.

Worksheet for Unpacking CCCS In order to better understand standards, use the unpacking worksheet (Handout 4: “Worksheet for Understanding Implications”) to dissect the content and knowledge requirements, the understandings and skills, and the implied performance. At a later time, you may want to practice unpacking a few more standards.

“Template” for Unpacking the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

“TEMPLATE” MODEL

Great Website on “Unpacking Common Core State Standards” http://www.readtennessee.org/teachers/common_core_standards/kindergarten.aspx