Rubric for Aligning Classroom Lessons & Units to the Common Core

I love the opportunity when I get to spend some time with my colleagues from across the state.  Today I discovered a great rubric for aligning classroom lessons and units to the Common Core. "The EQuIP rubrics should be used for: guiding the development of lessons and units, evaluating existing lessons and units to identify improvements needed to align with the CCSS, building the capacity of teachers to gain a deeper understanding of the instructional demands of the CCSS, and informing publishers of the criteria that will be applied in the evaluation of proposals and final products."  To access these great resources, go to achievethecore.org and search for EQuIP rubrics. 

A Diamond in the Rough

How did another great resource to support the Core slip by me?  This morning I discovered a fantastic toolkit published by the National Education Association @ http://www.nea.org/home/ccss-toolkit.htm
Check it out!

 

Common Core State Standards in Action

Need testimonials on the advantages of the Common Core?  Check this out!

http://www.achieve.org/common-core-state-standards-action

Are Your Classroom Materials, Resources & Assessments Aligned to the Core?

Great discussions are occurring during teacher collaboration/PLC time that lends itself to me sharing the link below.  Often as educator are ensuring that what they are teaching is aligned to the Common Core standards, they also debate whether the materials, resources, and assessments they are using in their classroom are also aligned to the Core.  Check out a fantastic resource @Achievethecore.org to assist teachers with this work.

http://achievethecore.org/page/285/toolkit-content-list-page?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Toolkit+March+Update+Email&utm_content=Toolkit+March+Update+Email+CID_91509ef5fcdb21736906bcf30a5543b9&utm_source=Email%2520marketing%2520software&utm_term=Toolkit

So You Think You're Implementing the Iowa Core Standards?

As we work with teachers across the state focused on the implementation of the Iowa Core Standards we are reminded of this great tool to identify their level of implementation using the Common Core State Standards Innovation Configuration Map for Transitional Dialogue @ http://dmfa3ba8wpnh6.cloudfront.net/00/000147887cd534a7df9b7cbbd80006/file/122463-CCSSConfigurationMap.pdf

From Common Core Standards to Curriculum: Five Big Ideas

From Common Core Standards to Curriculum: Five Big Ideas by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

http://grantwiggins.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/mctighe_wiggins_final_common_core_standards.pdf

Fine Arts Alignment with the Iowa Core Universal Constructs Resources

The Fine Arts Alignment with the Iowa Core Universal Constructs resources were written to illustrate how fine arts teachers can align their instruction to the universal constructs from the Iowa Core. By showing connections between the universal constructs and fine arts, these resources demonstrate how fine arts support the implementation of the Iowa Core.

Fine arts are particularly well-suited in supporting students in developing the universal constructs important for success in the 21st Century. The Fine Arts Iowa Core Companion documents can be located on/at https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/content-areas/arts

Iowa Core Companion documents are intended to fulfill the charge from the Iowa Department of Education that the “work” of implementing the Iowa Core is the responsibility of all educators in Iowa. Iowa Core Companion documents provide support and resources for educators wishing to identify connections to the Iowa Core. The information provided in the companion documents is not required of all schools or districts.

For assistance please contact Rosanne Malek, rosanne.malek@iowa.gov