Common Core GPS…or Your CCSS Road Dog

Are you reading this?

Have you read it?

Pathways to Common Core by Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth, and Christopher Lehman, can serve as scythe and gleaner for teachers and administrators as they amble or hurtle themselves down the path of CCSS implementation.

Not only does the book detail what the English Language Arts standards state and do not state, it also informs the reader of what is suggested by the document. The book provides an introduction and overview of the reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language standards, and then elaborates on each standard by providing a brass tacks perspective to enable educators to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intent of the standards.

Additionally, Calkins et al proffer a suggestion that we can “view the standards as a curmudgeon [would],” or we can “read as if the text is gold.” The authors concede that mere reading of this book may not erase feelings of ambivalence that some have toward the CCSS, but are firm in their conviction that “ambivalence cannot be an excuse for not responding to the call for reform that is implicit in the standards.”

Grab a copy of this book (here or here) and you can retire the proverbial excuse, “I’m washing my hair,” to avoid social outings. Instead, the (super teacher) geek in you can say, “Oh, I can’t. I’m reading Pathways to Common Core tonight.” (Okay, not really…unless you want to…well…)

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