1. Introducing the Common Core Standards In June 2010, NJ adopted the new Common Core State Standards for Math and Language Arts Currently, 45 states have adopted the CCSS. New Math and Language Arts curriculums are being implemented this year

2. Key Elements of the Common Core for Math The standards are fewer, but more rigorous – Deep focus on the concepts that have priority in the curriculum Procedural skills and conceptual understanding are equally important Students go beyond computation and procedures and focus on deep understanding

3. Key Elements of the Common Core for Math Fluency – with both math facts and calculations – Students are expected to have speed and accuracy with simple calculations as these are necessary for more advanced skills in math Multiple strategies for computation are required Higher order thinking skills and real world application are an emphasis

4. The South Brunswick K-5 Math Curriculum The majority of time is spent on number sense, with limited time on geometry, measurement, and data analysis – The focus for K-5 is on the understanding of whole numbers and fractions, and calculations that involve them Students need to: – be flexible with numbers – adapt their skills to multiple mathematical situations – make sense of problems and persevere in solving them – communicate their strategies and justify their solutions.

5. Key Elements of the Common Core for Language Arts - Reading Read a balance of non-fiction and fiction Learn about the world by reading across the content areas – In addition to reading stories, students will read texts that give them information about the world. – Students will read text about social studies and science curriculum topics

6. Key Elements of the Common Core for Language Arts- Reading Read more challenging materials closely – Read texts at their independent and instructional levels with a strong emphasis on higher-level comprehension. As appropriate, students will be supported in their reading of more challenging text. – Discuss reading using evidence from text to support their thinking – Compare and contrast authors and/or multiple texts on a topic – Build vocabulary through reading and discussion

7. Key Elements of the Common Core for Language Arts-Writing Write in three different genres, at each grade level. – Narrative (telling a story or telling about an event) – Informative/explanative (conveying information) – Opinion/argumentative (building a position or explanation using valid reasoning and evidence to support their thinking). Conduct both short and longer-term research on a broad range of topics.

8. Key Elements of the Common Core for Language Arts Speaking/Listening – Students will engage in conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts. Language: Convention (grammar, print conventions) – Students learn the essential “rules” of standard written and spoken English. – Students learn that language and usage are sometimes a matter of “craft” decisions and making choices.