Common Core

Just like most educators around the country, we are learning a new set of standards called the Common Core.  I’ve had the pleasure to see many different presentations with the Common Core Standards.  I have to say, I am very excited about these standards.  What I find most intriguing is that teachers will have to change the way they teach; students will not have to change the way they learn.  I think the new standards encompass all of the learning styles just by the way they are written! 

Educators are very stressed out about the Common Core, and changing their way of thinking.  I don’t blame them one bit!  It is hard to change the way you’ve been doing something for years.  But it is not impossible, and it needs to happen immediately with the Common Core.  Teachers- teaching with the Common Core it is not as hard as you may think.  Organize your thoughts, group standards that go together, and plan out your year.

You will have to make adjustments in your teaching.  In the area of math, use multiple representations when teaching.  For example, use representations that include pictures, tables, graphs, real-world situations, and so on.  That’s not a hard adjustment to make.

Look for resources to help you, like this you tube video.  Have faith in yourself as a professional, and know that you can do it!  Look forward to the Common Core, and get some training!