Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts Teachers

This chapter was very eye opening and interesting to read because I am not very knowledgeable about how exactly the Common Core State Standards are supposed to be implemented in the classroom. I was aware that they needed to be in my lessons and that my students needed to be aware of what the standards were. I have heard a lot of controversy about CCSS but after reading this chapter, I feel that I have a different perspective on what Common Core actually is. Now I understand that Common Core was implemented to give the United States a more consistent set of goals for curriculum. I like how the chapter address what CC’s goal was for 21^st century learning in the fact that it would enhance life and career skills, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, technology and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility. All of these things, to me, are essential in becoming a successful member of society and are greatly over looked by a lot of teachers just trying to get through the curriculum. The fact that I had no idea that CCSS included all of this is very pleasing because these are the reason I wanted to become a teacher, to enhance my students’ lives and futures. I like how they say that it is essential to be creative in using CCSS because it gets students interested and away from “standardizing.” This chapter was especially helpful for going into student teaching because as a student teacher you feel like you need to just get through the expectations and requirements to pass, rather than putting in your own creative spin on your lessons. I also liked how this chapter explained how Common Core could be taught in the wrong context. As a teacher, you need to address the needs of your students SES backgrounds, poverty levels, and cultural and ethnic orientations. This is essential and making sure the Common Core is successful in the classroom which is good for future teachers to know as, we don’t know in what setting we will be teaching in.