Unwrapping the common core: a practical process to manage rigorous standards

By Larry Ainsworth

A standalone, how-to guide for busy educators who need a proven way to work with the new standards, This straightforward and easy-to-read guide includes grade-specific examples of "unwrapped" standards, enabling educators to confidently apply a simple, proven technique for making rigorous new standards manageable. Part One describes the complete "unwrapping" process with examples in both English language arts and literacy as well as mathematics. "Unwrap" your own self-selected standards as you work through the process. Part Two contains 60 "unwrapped" Common Core English language arts and math examples, each specific to one of four grade spans. Part Three illustrates where "unwrapping" fits in the big picture of an integrated standards/assessment/curriculum/instruction system. "Unwrapping" the Common Core will benefit classroom educators, school and district administrators, curriculum coordinators, and instructional specialists in all grade levels and content areas. "Unwrapping" standards will assist in improving achievement for all students by focusing on the concepts, skills, and levels of cognitive rigor that students need for success. Each part of the "unwrapping" process is explained in detail, with 60 illustrative examples of "unwrapped" Common Core standards in both English language arts and mathematics in all four grade spans: Primary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school. The "Unwrapping" Process: "Unwrap" the Unit Priority Standards. Analyze the assigned Priority Standards within each individual unit of study to determine the specific, teachable concepts and skills. Create a Graphic Organizer. Prepare a visual display of the "unwrapped" concepts and skills. Determine each skill's approximate levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and Webb's Depth of Knowledge of reveal each skill's level of rigor. Decide the Big Ideas. Identify which Big Ideas you want the students to discover on their own by the end of the unit of study. Write the Essential Questions. Write open-ended Essential Questions that will engage students to discover for themselves the related Big Ideas and be able to state them in their own words. We create positive change in schools by bridging the critical gap between research and effective application of best practices. Based on the groundbreaking 90/90/90 Schools research, our world-class professional development, distinguished by an unwavering commitment to deep implementation, is the catalyst for educational transformation. It has proven time and time again to result in measurable gains for school feeders and educators, laying the foundation for sustainable achievement. Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1935588516
• ISBN13: 9781935588511
• Release Date: June 2015
• Publisher: Lead & Learn Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.0" x 9.9"