"Teaching to Exceed the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards" by Richard Beach, Amanda Haertling Thein and Allen Webb

This article mainly discusses the purpose of common core standards, the intentions of it and how they are implemented in schools. I am glad that the article not only mentioned the strengths of the CCSS’s, but also potential weaknesses it carries. The article pushes for teachers to teach their students to build their learning in the classroom from their own experiences and knowledge. I like this approach because I think it encourages more students to become engaged in their education. If they can find ‘real world’ relevance for the information they are being fed, they will be more willing and excited to learn. The case study that showed the how one teacher allowed her students to write about an issue of their choice fascinated me. Not only did the students get some choice in what they were doing, they were also able to gain a lot of valuable writing, critical thinking, and debate and research skills. The students were also able to use their project outside of the classroom to persuade their schools administration to change their web browsing policies. Many teachers will say projects they assign will help their students build valuable skills that can be used outside of the classroom someday, but that teacher effectively taught her students how those skills are relevant to their lives right now.

                I think a large misconception about common core standards is that it removes creativity from the classroom and is geared toward standardized testing rather than true learning, which is not necessarily true. The article does address issues such as fragmented curriculum, homogenization of instruction, failure to address cultural diversity and teaching to the test, but these are issues that arise from poor adaption of curriculum that “fits” the common core standards. It’s important to understand that common core standards are merely national standards, not a common set of instructional rules or materials. Teachers and school districts still have some freedom to develop curriculum relevant to the students they teach.

                The article mentions that teachers are now expected to shift from the traditional teacher role of the conveyor to multiple roles such as co-learner, facilitator and social planner. I think it is important that teachers begin to not only address that different students learn in different ways, but put into practice a variety of methods to try to reach as many students as possible.  The best teachers and professors I have had are the ones who have moved away from purely lecture-styled teaching and have demonstrated a variety of teaching methods. I’ve found that it helps students learn how to learn in new ways and breaks the monotony of a traditional, repetitive classroom.

                Despite the criticism that common core has received from those who are unfamiliar with its intentions and possibilities, the common core standards can do a lot to help ensure students across the nation are receiving an equal education. I think many schools who are struggling to effectively implement the standards into their curriculum would benefit from some sort of coaching to demonstrate the potential of the common core standards.