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more CCSS thinking

by judy5ca

Jul 11, 2012

I'm still working hard at understanding CCSS. I'm almost done with Calkins' Pathways to the Common Core and it's really helped me a lot. I've always been a Calkins fan and I appreciate the way she breaks down the standards and shows me how to apply them. As I said before, a 6th grade teacher friend and I are working via this book. We had another me...See More

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Thoughts?

by Terry

Jul 16, 2012

I was curious to see your thoughts on this article. Terry

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judy5ca Thanks for the update, Linda. How disheartening. Judy

On 7/23/12, Linda wrote: > Judy, > I was sick today at our ELA common core training > because we were told that the reason there is a need > for common core is because teachers weren't really > teaching. In other words, if we had been "really > teaching" then education...See More

Jul 24, 2012

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cavey Judy, Judy, Judy, You know by now that I will not be upset! I am not sure how CCSS is working in other states ( since we got an exemption without adopting CC) but our evaluation system, at least in VA, had become ineffective. The statistics ( and I can't remember if these are national or just state) show that something like 95% of teachers were rou...See MoreJudy, Judy, Judy, You know by now that I will not be upset! I am not sure how CCSS is working in other states ( since we got an exemption without adopting CC) but our evaluation system, at least in VA, had become ineffective. The statistics ( and I can't remember if these are national or just state) show that something like 95% of teachers were routinely rated as exemplary. Unfortunately, and maybe this is not your experience, but it is in our state, no where near 95% of teachers should be classified as exemplary. Our evaluation process had become meaningless.

The state is looking to identify and nurture truly exemplary teachers and bring along those who aspire to be. The truly exemplary teachers ( like you) have been lumped with those just barely getting by. We needed some way to recalibrate the system. I am not a fan of everything I have heard, and I know there will be lots of issues to deal with, but I still do believe that we ultimately have to look at how effective we are and try to support, encourage, mentor and, if need be, weed out those who are not effective at helping students to learn.

Like Erin said, it is very eye opening to get into lots of classrooms and work with lots of individuals. It makes me realize just how important, and sadly rare, a truly exemplary teacher is. My ultimate goal, however, is to work with those who are willing to help them become the best they can be to improve student learning.

On 7/23/12, judy5ca wrote: > cavey, I know this comes from a good place in your heart, but I am bothered > when you write, "As long as we are working toward the ultimate goal of > improving teaching and student performance that's all we can do." I like > CCSS, but I hope no one is assuming that we haven't worked toward > "improving teaching and student performance" in the past. I mean, > seriously, isn't that what we always have done every single day? I don't > mean to be contentious, and I always honor your thinking, but I just can't > let this one go unaddressed. > Judy > > > > > > On 7/23/12, cavey wrote: >> Linda, >> Our situation in Va is not nearly as extreme as that described in >> Louisiana. There was a pay for performance pilot group this year, but >> that's it so far. The pilot project is helping to work out the kinks in >> the evaluation system. I'm reeling from trying to figure out how all of >> the new performance evaluation measures will be calculated and how we >> will have time to do it. Teachers in grades 4-8 and Algebra will have >> student growth percentiles which will factor into 20 percent of their >> evaluations. However, there are lots of caveats and lots of >> calculations that will come into play. Teachers will be setting their >> own performance goals which will make up 40% of the total evaluation on >> a three year evaluation cycle. Teachers not in the grades with student >> growth percentiles will set ( with their administrators) other measures >> of student performance to evaluate to make up the 40%. >> During this first year, we are really going to have to focus on just >> working with teachers to determine how to set these goals. >> Here is the link to the DOE website if you are really interested. >> >> I have been in this game long enough to not get too upset too early. We >> will be working through things to get the system hammered out over the >> next few years. As long as we are working toward the ultimate goal of >> improving teaching and student performance that's all we can do. >>> >>> On 7/20/12, cavey wrote: >>>> I went to a training on the new >>>> evaluation system last week, and I am reeling. The only >>>> consolation we have is that everyone is in the same situation and >>>> we will all once again be building the plane in flight. >>>> >>>>

Jul 25, 2012

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Pathway to the Common Core question

by Linda

Jul 25, 2012

To those of you who have read the book, are there any performance tasks in there that would make it worthwhile for me to purchase?

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LS On 7/26/12, Linda wrote: > Judy, truthfully I don't understand myself. I just spent 2 days > in training on this and I walked away confused. It's something > like research but the way we were doing it was we looked at the > ela and math standards as well as the science/social studies > state framework and tried to do multiple standar...See MoreOn 7/26/12, Linda wrote: > Judy, truthfully I don't understand myself. I just spent 2 days > in training on this and I walked away confused. It's something > like research but the way we were doing it was we looked at the > ela and math standards as well as the science/social studies > state framework and tried to do multiple standards and objectives > in one project. They were saying something about the students > would do three of these in a 9 week period. There are a few > examples in appendix b of the common core standards but that is > NOT the way we were being taught. What we were shown was > something like a unit. I wish I could explain better, sorry :( >

Linda, It sounds like your group is trying to be helpful and put together units of study that include the CC Standards. The performance tasks of those readings are to be similar in nature to the performance tasks in appendix B. I purchased a membership to the common core mapping project which is putting together units of study like your group is suggesting. You can preview what they've done so far at [link removed]

I honestly do not see this as a major shift in my teaching. Citing evidence from the text has always been a focus during discussion and in written responses. We use the McGraw/Hill basal series Treasures and when using the Weekly Skills test (typically not on a weekly basis) the hardest part and the most important part to discuss with students is the written response portion where the question must be answered using details from the text.

I'd love to hear more about what other districts are saying and how they plan to implement Common Core. I just heard that we are not going towards a national test but instead states with PARC will take a PARC test and those with SMARTER will take one created by them. I thought one of points of this system was to then be able to compare states' progress. Which then makes me feel like we are a pawns in someone's nefarious scheme with the public TOTALLY uninfomred. Sorry- new tangent I'll reserve opinion on:)

Jul 28, 2012

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Linda I looked at your link. The samples look great but I'm still puzzled. I don't know if I'm supposed to change and just do stuff like on the link or what. I guess my district will tell me. But this I do know--I have read the appendix carefully (close reading I guess you would call it) and frankly I don't see what my district is talking about with what...See More

Jul 28, 2012

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Looking for a book

by Praline

Jul 27, 2012

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Reflections on Teacher and Student Motivation -Sheree Rensel

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 9, 2012

One of the great advantages to getting older is the ability gained to see experiences with a long, clear vision. After years of living, we begin to see the patterns and cycles of events with new eyes. Veteran teachers are no exception. They have seen the pendulum swing repeatedly sometimes with a dizzying swoosh. Yet, most grab onto the moving targ...See More

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Alternatives to Failing Your Students

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Sep 1, 2012

Teachers dread having to give F’s; they are humiliating, marginalizing, and devastating to kids. Teachers try their best to avoid failing kids by offering extra opportunities, alternatives, by fudging on grading procedures, and by arbitrary marking. Failing students represents an assault on the teacher’s role and self-esteem. No student wants t...See More

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Citing text (and Helloooooooo out there!)

by judy5ca

Oct 7, 2012

Hello old friends. Are we settled into the new year enough to talk?

One of my big goals this year comes from CCSS. I'm working on having kids retell and then cite text when forming opinions. I'm wondering if you have any brilliant ideas for going about this. I'm simply modeling and we're practicing a lot.

I'm having a modicum of ...See More

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Teri On 10/07/12, judy5ca wrote: > Hello old friends. Are we settled into the new year enough > to talk? > > One of my big goals this year comes from CCSS. I'm working > on having kids retell and then cite text when forming > opinions. I'm wondering if you have any brilliant ideas for > going about this. I'm simply modeling and we'r...See More

Oct 7, 2012

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Terry I am well into school...in fact first report cards will be prepared this week!

Of course modeling Judy!! I love the example you gave...how perfect is that!

I am quite certain you did it, but maybe an anchor chart with some prompts for evidence..

Evidence Based Terms

because... for instance... for example... the a...See More

Oct 7, 2012

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Making Thinking Visible

by judy5ca

Oct 20, 2012

Have any of you read the book Making Thinking Visible? I'm looking for something for our whole staff to read to address our problem of practice and this one is looking quite good to me--judged solely by "look inside" at Amazon. Help??? Thanks, Judy

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