Common Core ELA Resources*

A LinkedIn question from ASCD that landed in my mailbox at 4:02 a.m. today asked members to “Share the name of ONE state or district that appears to offer the best Common Core resources.”  The parameters of this task – limiting myself to ONE – seemed quite daunting. It was way too early to respond on such a nice sunny, summer day!  So about four hours later, let me offer my best answers for today and you can see if you agree!

1. Building background knowledge:

• ELA and Math saludaschools.org
• New York Department of Education:  http://www.engageny.org
• ReadTennessee  http://www.readtennessee.org/teachers/common_core_standards.aspx
• www.achievethecore.org

2. Specific passages for use with students:

• http://www.readworks.org/books/passages
• Released test items found on saludaschools.org/Page/2262
• passages at four levels  http://newsela.com

3. Building leadership capacity – teachers/administrators:

• http://www.achievethecore.org/

4. Planning for instruction: 

• www.achievethecore.org
• https://partnerinedu.com/2014/02/17/grade-level-parcc-aligned-curriculum-assessment-planners/  (check out the planning tool)

5. Student writing examples that demonstrate the demands of the core:

• http://www.engageny.org

Did you notice that many of my favorite resources fit more than one category above?  I wonder if that is why they have become a favorite?  

Which of these resources are you familiar with?

Which ones would you have on your list(s)?

Please comment below if you would like to know “why” a particular site is included here!

* There are many great resources available including many blogs by teachers and professional development providers that I follow in a text box on the right column.  The links above are the resources I continue to return to when I want to check my own understanding!