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| photo credit: Ken Figlioli |
There was really no debate “should we, shouldn’t we?”, or whining “we wish we didn’t have to.” We just did it.
While my colleagues might laugh me out of the staff room for
saying so, our implementation of the California Common Core Standards for English Language Arts (aka CCCS ELA) starting in
the Spring of 2012, went something like this:
In truth, I have glossed over a
few things in the interest of the story, but that was the gist of it. Other states were
farther ahead than California, in terms of developing support and training
materials, so sites like Achieve the Core,
and engage ny became nightly reading material. Since then, I’ve
noted that California Department of Education has curated a collection of
support materials for implementation of CCCS, including various implementation guides,
a video library
and California Spotlight, listing resources developed by district
and county education agencies (aka LEA).
- 1. Read the standards (two months)
- 2. Reflect...(one lunch hour)
- 3. Say “Oh, OK.” (one week)
- 4. Purchase mostly aligned textbooks (three months)
- 5. Implement instruction (ever since then, Fall 2013).
I have extremely hard working colleagues who have gone the extra mile, creating curriculum units from scratch on an almost-weekly
basis since 2013. So, as of now, we are
“done”; CCCS ELA fully implemented.
There were...just a few...loose ends to tie up. Testing, instructional scope and sequence,
skills articulation, instructional strategies. It's like sewing your dress while you’re
wearing it.
The final California English Language Development Standards, (CA ELD) integrated
with the CCCS English Language Arts Standards, were adopted in November 2012,
and the English Language Arts/English LanguageDevelopment (ELA/ELD) Framework was
adopted six months ago.
In the
terminology of the ELA/ELD Framework, I am a Designated ELD teacher; the only
one at my school, and one of only three in our district. As of January 2015…let’s put it this way…there
are not a lot of ELD materials aligned to the Common Core. Oh, and in August 2013, my
district implemented 1:1computing. So, I’m knitting my socks while I’m wearing
them, as well as the dress-sewing described above. My journey now is called #commoncoreeld
#EdTech.
I drink from the well of
inspiration. I collaborate closely with
the close-knit staff at my small, affluent, rural middle school. I have taught EL students since 1985. I have been working in multi-age learning environments
and project-based instruction since the early 90’s. I am a Reading Specialist. I have had all sorts of roles in district
and school site ELD program development and management.
I can figure this out.
I am figuring this out.
I will continue to figure this out.
