HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH COMMON CORE A Family Guide

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO BE DIFFERENT IN THE CLASSROOM? 2  The focus will be different  Students will have to understand and be able to explain concepts. For example: In addition to knowing how TO DO math, students now have to understand the WHY behind math  What kids are doing will be different  Fewer worksheets, more projects  Tests will be different  The new test will ask students to explain why they are doing what they are doing

EXAMPLE OF NEW TYPE OF WORK 3  Learning fractions:  Old way – teachers give students steps to take and the students practice  New way – students have to use materials and number lines to understand how big fractions are and they have to explain why 1/2 is bigger than 1/3  Writing  Old way – “explain how this story makes you feel”  New way – “explain why you think the main character made the decision he/she did using examples from the text”

EXAMPLE OF NEW TEST QUESTION 4  In 3 rd grade reading:  Old question – one multiple choice question asking the student to identify the main idea  New question – two part question: Part A What is one main idea of “How Animals Live?” a. There are many types of animals on the planet. b. Animals need water to live. c. There are many ways to sort different animals. d. Animals begin their life cycles in different forms. Part B Which detail from the article best supports your answer to Part A? a. “Animals get oxygen from air or water." b. "Animals can be grouped by their traits." c. "Worms are invertebrates." d. "All animals grow and change over time." e. "Almost all animals need water, food, oxygen, and shelter to live."

WHAT KIND OF WORK CAN PARENTS EXPECT TO SEE THEIR KIDS DOING? 5  Reading  More informational text, like newspaper articles, and less fiction  Less writing stories, more writing about ideas and issues  Math  More concepts, less “tricks” to solve problems  More real-world connections

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY CHILD GET READY? 6  A few easy steps to start with:  Ask your child to explain why he or she is doing what he or she is doing, especially in math  Encourage your child to read nonfiction – like newspaper articles. Then ask your child to explain why what they read is important.  Talk to your child’s teacher to find out what your child needs to work on to be ready

FOR EXAMPLE 7  No matter what your child is reading, you can ask them these questions about it:  What is the main idea?  How do you know?  What does this remind you of? How is it similar or different to something you have read before?  Why did the main event in the text happen?  What do you think is going to happen next?  What new words did you learn? What do they mean?

ANOTHER EXAMPLE 8 Do you remember when your child was young and they always wanted to know why something was the way it was? Now it is your turn! Ask your child why they want to do something, why something is the way it is, why something they believe is true is true and have them explain it to you, with examples and evidence!

EVERY SITUATION CAN BE A WORD PROBLEM! 9  The next time you are at the grocery store, ask your child to tell you which product is the better deal between two different brands. Have them explain why.  Work on a budget with your child – show them how to make important decisions with money.  When you are cooking, have your child double recipes or cut them in half. Have them figure out what you need based on how many people will be eating.

BOTTOM LINE 10  Learning the Common Core Standards will mean a different kind of learning and more difficult material. But you can help your student!  Take every opportunity you can to make your child really think – you are helping them become better students!  And most of all – talk to your child’s teachers. Ask them what your child needs to be doing to be prepared!