ELA Common Core State Standards

For most parents and casual observers of the American education system, the words Common Core conjures up images of math that they have no clue how to do. But if they were to take some time and do a little research they would find that the Common Core State Standards are a set of learning goals that outline what skills a successful student should possess by the end of a given year. As someone who has never experienced the Common Core State Standards in action as either a teacher or as a student, everything I know about them is solely based on secondhand information from teachers and student teachers, as well as research. Overall, I think the Common Core State Standards are a fantastic addition to the curriculum as long as they are used correctly. The first chapter of the books touches on how to use the various standards in conjunction with one and other to create a complete and meaningful lesson, and how to avoid teaching standards in isolation multiple times. I’ve looked at the Common Core State Standards website many times while making my EdTPA for Dr. Torgerson I like the fact that the ELA standards are broken down into multiple parts that are designed to work with each other. These parts are reading (literature, information text, and foundational skills), writing, speaking & listening, and language, to me this shows that the governor’s council who put these standards together took the time to research all the components that go into teaching not only English but also the elements that students need to understand and use in order to be successful in their academic careers. One of my favorite things about the Common Core State Standards is the freedom that it gives educators. The emphasis of the C.C.S.S. is on the skills needed to be a successful English student rather than the reading material that is being used. I genuinely am looking forward to the day when I finally get to put my knowledge of the Common Core State Standards into action.