The “Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts”

 

 

 

Academic learning standards can vary from state to state, but one thing about them is always true  they are the backbone of planning and instruction. Standards are set by grade level, are sorted by subject area, and dictate exactly what students are expected to learn at each level so they can meet all requirements upon graduation. As a teacher, you must not only have a clear understanding of the standards in your grade level, but of the standards as a whole so you can understand the progression of skills throughout the years. Rather than understanding one set of standards, it is important to understand how standards work in general. Standards change and teachers must be able to dissect and apply new standards.

 

Academic learning standards can vary from state to state, but one thing about them is always true – they are the backbone of planning and instruction. Standards are set by grade level, are sorted by subject area, and dictate exactly what students are expected to learn at each level so they can meet all requirements upon graduation. As a teacher, you must not only have a clear understanding of the standards in your grade level, but of the standards as a whole so you can understand the progression of skills throughout the years. Rather than understanding one set of standards, it is important to understand how standards work in general. Standards change and teachers must be able to dissect and apply new standards.

Part 2: Standards Analysis Template

Explore the “Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts” and “Common Core State Standards for Mathematics” to familiarize yourself with the organization and navigation of standards sets.

 

 

RI.6.2 (Grade 6): Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.4.OA.A.3 (Grade 4): Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.Analysis of Progression (How the expectation increases in complexity)The skill evolves from finding one main idea (Grade 4) to finding two or more (Grade 5), and then to finding the central idea and ensuring the summary is objective, free of personal bias (Grade 6). The student moves from simple summarization to a deeper analytical skill.The focus shifts from solving one- and two-step problems with primarily addition/subtraction (Grade 2) to specifically solving and representing two-step problems across all four operations (Grade 3), and then moves on to solving multistep problems, which includes interpreting remainders (Grade 4). The complexity increases both in the number of steps and the mathematical concepts involved.RI.6.2 (Grade 6): Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.4.OA.A.3 (Grade 4): Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including [email protected] of Progression (How the expectation increases in complexity)The skill evolves from finding one main idea (Grade 4) to finding two or more (Grade 5), and then to finding the central idea and ensuring the summary is objective, free of personal bias (Grade 6). The student moves from simple summarization to a deeper analytical skill.The focus shifts from solving one- and two-step problems with primarily addition/subtraction (Grade 2) to specifically solving and representing two-step problems across all four operations (Grade 3), and then moves on to solving multistep problems, which includes interpreting remainders (Grade 4). The complexity increases both in the number of steps and the mathematical concepts involved.

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standards Analysis Template: Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

 

This analysis focuses on the overarching structure and progression of skills within the CCSS to ensure a clear understanding of what students are expected to learn.

 

A. General Organization and Navigation

 

FeatureEnglish Language Arts (ELA) CCSSMathematics CCSS
Major Subject Area StrandsOrganized into four main strands: Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, and Language.Organized into two types of standards: Content Standards (what students should know and be able to do) and Standards for Mathematical Practice (how students should engage with mathematics).
Grade Level GroupingsDivided into grade-level specific standards for K–8 and then into grade-level bands for high school (9–10 and 11–12).Divided into grade-level specific standards for K–8 and then into conceptual categories for high school (e.g., Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, etc.).
Standard Code StructureTypically follows a pattern: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.[Strand].[Grade/Band].[Standard Number]. Example: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2Typically follows a pattern: CCSS.Math.[Grade/Band].[Domain Code].[Standard Number]. Example: CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.B.4
Key Components Within Each Strand/DomainEach strand is broken down by clusters (groups of related standards) and then by individual standards.Each grade level or high school category is broken down by Domains (larger groups of related standards), then Clusters, and finally individual standards.

 

B. Standard Dissection and Progression (Sample Standards)

 

Area of AnalysisELA Example: Reading Informational Text (RI)Math Example: Operations and Algebraic Thinking (OA)
Specific Grade LevelGrade 5Grade 3
Standard CodeCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.2CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.D.8
Full Text of Standard (Focusing on the skill/expectation)Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.
Core Skill/ConceptSummarizing and Identifying Main Idea (Analysis and Comprehension).Two-Step Problem Solving, Variable Representation, and Estimation/Reasonableness (Application and Critical Thinking).
Skill Progression (Previous Grade)RI.4.2 (Grade 4): Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.2.OA.A.1 (Grade 2): Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions.
Skill Progression (Next Grade)RI.6.2 (Grade 6): Determine a central idea of a tex