“I Hear Teachers Don’t Like
Common Core”:
Enhancing Pre-Service Teacher’s
Knowledge, Understanding and
Implementation of ELA Common
Core Standards
May 27, 2015
Kathy White, M.S. Ed.
Michelle Erklenz-Watts, Ph.D.
Learning Targets
1. I can identify the 10 CCR anchor standards.
2. I can interpret/apply the ELA instructional shifts.
3. I know protocols can be used for a more collaborative
learning environment.
Protocol: Notice and Wonder
Students record what they notice and
wonder about the structure of the text and
information shared.
One thing one you notice about NYS
Common Core Standards (blue post-it)
One question you have about NYS Common
Core Standards (orange post-it)
What is the architecture of the
Common Core?
What is the architecture of the Common
Core?
English language arts and math were the
subjects chosen for the Common Core State
Standards because they are areas upon which
students build skill sets that are used in other
subjects.
Students must learn to read, write, speak, listen,
and use language effectively in a variety of
content areas, so the standards specify the
literacy skills and understandings required for
college and career readiness in multiple
disciplines.
What is the Architecture of the Common Core?
10 Reading Anchor Standards
Key Ideas and Details (3)
Craft and Structure (3)
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (3)
Range and Level of Text Complexity (1)
10 Writing Anchor Standards http://www.corestandards.org/ELALiteracy/CCRA/W/
Text Types and Purposes
Production and Distribution of Writing
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
Range of Writing
6 Speaking and Listening Anchor
Standards http://www.corestandards.org/ELALiteracy/CCRA/SL/
Comprehension and Collaboration
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
6 Language Anchor
Standards http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/L/
Conventions of Standard English
Knowledge of Language
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
http://www.corestandards.org/
Key Ideas and Details:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring
explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1
Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says
explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.1
Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and
when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Six Shifts in ELA/Literacy
Shift 1: Balancing Informational and Literary Text
Building Knowledge
Shift 2: Knowledge in the Disciplines
Building Knowledge
Shift 3: Staircase of Complexity
Complex Text and Vocabulary
Shift 4: Text Based Answers
Evidence from Text
Shift 5: Writing from Sources
Evidence from text
Shift 6: Academic Vocabulary
Complex Text and Vocabulary
https://www.engageny.org/file/4981/download/common-coreshifts.pdf/
Protocol – Think-Pair-Share:
designed to differentiate instruction by providing
students time and structure for thinking on a given
topic, enabling them to formulate individual ideas
and share these ideas with a peer.
Which of the six ELA shifts do you think will be most
challenging for your pre-service teachers? Why?
3 Minutes
Report Out
Cooperating Teachers
 Video

Adapt or Adopt
NYS Curriculum Vendors
Pre-K – 2 : Core Knowledge
3-8 : Expeditionary Learning
9-12 : PCG- Public Consulting Group
NYS Common Core Fellows
ENGAGE NY
Protocol: Fist to Five
To show degree of agreement, readiness for tasks, or comfort
with a learning target/concept, students can quickly show their
thinking by holding up (or placing a hand near the opposite
shoulder) a fist for 0/Disagree or 1-5 fingers for higher levels of
confidence or agreement.
What is your experience with Engage NY?
Engage NY. org is developed and maintained by the New York
State Education Department (NYSED) to support the
implementation of key aspects of the New York State Board of
Regents Reform Agenda. This is the official web site for current
materials and resources related to the Regents Reform Agenda.
Engage NY Website
•Common Core Standards, curriculum and
instructional resources, bilingual resources,
performance tasks and assessment guidelines and materials
•Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Data Driven Instruction and
Inquiry resources
•Video library featuring Common Core teaching,
information on the instructional shifts and highlights
from NYSED's Network Team Institutes
•Professional Development materials
•Resources for Parents and Families
Expeditionary Learning
Learning Targets

https://vimeo.com/54007714
https://www.engageny.org/content/3-8-literacy
Engage NY Protocols
Use of protocols allows for total participation
of students. It encourages critical thinking,
collaboration, and social construction of
knowledge. It also helps students to practice
their speaking and listening skills.
https://www.engageny.org/resource/grades3-8-ela-curriculum-appendix-1-protocols-andresources
Learning Targets
1. I can deconstruct an ELA
Common Core standard.
2. I know the 4T’s of
curriculum writing.
3. I can bundle ELA
Common Core standards.
Become a Student of the Standards
Look at your standard and answer the following
questions:
1. What cognitive skills are called out?
2. Which specific words in the standard seem
particularly salient in terms of what is required of
students? Why?
3. Are there any key words such as and and or
that convey what it means to fully master this
standard at a given grade level?
4. What is unique to the grade level? (look above
and below your grade level)
Support: Turn to pages 87-89.
Now, trade your standard with another person and
do the same process.
Discuss your similarities and differences.
I can
deconstruct an
ELA Common
Core standard.
Become a Student of
Curriculum Writing
 Topic, Task, Targets, Text
 Support: Turn to p. 92
 Become an expert for your element
 Complete a SNAP
 Support: Turn to p. 95
 Jigsaw with other experts and share your SNAP
 Make notes on chart
 Watch video
 Debate on which T comes first and/or is most
important
 You must support your element as the
first/important
 Have an open discussion on the 4T’s
I know the
4T’s of
curriculum
writing.
Become a Student of
Combining What You Know
 Take your standard and partner with
someone you haven’t talked with yet
today
Discuss how your 2 standards could
be coupled/bundled to fit into the
4T’s
Now pair with a pair and discuss how
your 4 standards could be
coupled/bundled to fit into the 4T’s
Discuss your conclusions about
bundling standards
I can bundle
ELA Common
Core standards.
Protocol - Exit Ticket: At the end of class, students
write on note cards or slips of paper an important
idea they learned, a question they have, a prediction
about what will come next, or a thought about the
lesson for the day.
Exit Ticket:
Strategies To Prepare Our Students Now. How could
you change your syllabi/class activities to incorporate
more of your learning targets from today?
1.
2.
3.