Buyer Beware: Common Core Resources

“CCR.ELA Anchor Standard for Reading Informational Text #9 (K-12)
Analyze how two or more texts address themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.”

“CCR.ELA Anchor Standard for Writing #8 (K-12)
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.”

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When you are looking for resources, how do you determine which resources are relevant, accurate, and appropriate? (And by extension, how do you “teach” those skills to your students?)

Just because the label says “Common Core,” it doesn’t mean that it really is the Common Core.  How do you know?  Check for the icon that represents Common Core.  Check  reputable sources. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!  Be careful out there!

In the beginning, consider these primary sources:

• Common Core State Standards Initiative   This is the official site for the CCSSI, featuring information about the standards, news, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.
• National Governors Association   The NGA played a major role in the development of Common Core, so their website is a great place to look for answers about the standards.
• Council of Chief State School Officers     The other major group behind Common Core is the CCSSO, an organization you can learn more about by visiting their site.

Possible Secondary Sources from ASCD:

• Common Core Webinars – ASCD is working on new webinars on Common Core, but educators can take a look at their archived resources from earlier this year in the meantime.
• ASCD Resources – Common Core resources
• Common Core Adoptions by State – The ASCD website offers up information on which states are adopting Common Core, along with links to each Common Core state website.

10 Additional Resources to Consider

To find out more about what Common Core will mean for your teachers and students, follow these links.  (How will you decide which ones meet your needs?)

1. Common Core Standards App: This iPhone application (it is also available for Android) lets teachers keep essential information about Common Core at their fingertips.
2. The Teaching Channel – 100 videos about the Common Core Many are excellent and range from broad topics to specific lesson plans based on standards.
3. P21 Toolkit for the Common Core  – A Guide for Aligning the CCSS with the Framework for 21st Century Skills is available here.
4. achieve.org – Additional resources for implementation of the Common Core.
5. CCSSI Wiki: One simple way to learn more about the CCSSI is to visit the program’s Wikipedia page, which is packed with useful information on the subject.
6. Common Core Workbook: Use this workbook from Achieve and the U.S. Education Delivery Institute to help guide the Common Core implementation process at your school.
7. Bi-Weekly Newsletter from the Chief Council of Officers Useful information about all things Common Core and includes a free tool to evaluate CCSS text (registration required).
8. Common Core State Standards for School Leaders  A Scoop.it! site that is filled with resources compiled from around the web.
9. CommonCore.org:  Here you’ll find an organization dedicated to ensuring that the Common Core is about more than just reading and math, instead promoting a well-rounded education that includes reading literature, studying culture, and engaging with the arts. 

The promise of increased student learning through the implementation of the Common Core Standards will depend upon the decisions that you make about the resources that you consult on a regular basis.  

Is the most reliable and valid information available from a Google search?  

What other resources do you use for your information about the Common Core?  

Please comment below if you have additional resources that you believe I should add!