1. COMMON CORE LEARNING STANDARDS PK-2 Core Knowledge Overview December 2012

2. Adopt, Adapt or Align Alternatively  Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water.  Ask questions:  How can we hang on to the structures that we use (that are helping students to progress) and still meet the CCLS criteria?  How can we adapt and use Core Knowledge’s approach in our own context?  What do we absolutely HAVE to put into practice to meet the expectations of the CCLS?

3. CCLS and Core Knowledge Goals  To provide a curricular option that is CCLS aligned and that minimizes the achievement gap  The achievement gap (kids on free and reduced lunch vs. those who are not) has existed for over 60 years and there is currently not a commercial program available that is fully common core aligned.  To get students to a place where they can “read to learn” by the beginning of 3 rd grade.  If our students leave 2 nd grade and are not reading proficiently, it becomes harder and harder for them to catch up. Research is showing (Hernandez, DJ. 2011) that there is a 90% correlation between FALL of 3 rd grade testing data and drop-out rates.

4. What does it take?  Decoding  Fluency  Syntax  Vocabulary  Background Knowledge  Engagement and Choice  We have to address all of these with equity if we are to erase the achievement gap. How do we do it all? How do we do it for ALL kids?

5. Components of a Comprehensive ELA Program- Core Knowledge’s Approach Foundational Skills  Decoding and Automaticity  Student readers leveled by spelling pattern (decodable texts) Listening and Learning  Read Aloud  Shared Interactive Reading  Covers content from science, social studies and the arts Guided Reading Accountable Independent Reading (GRAIR)

6. Engage NY Website Walk  www.engageny.org www.engageny.org  Common Core link  Common Core Implementation Resources  NYS Curriculum Modules  Draft Curricular Maps  Click on your grade level  Downloadable Resources: Maps for both Skills and Listening & Learning strands

7. Reflections & Next Steps *What are your reflections and/or questions after learning a bit about Core Knowledge’s approach to the Common Core Learning Standards? *My reflections after attending the NYSED Common Core training. Next Up: Exploring Core Knowledge’s Listening and Learning Approach