This document outlines a presentation on identifying Common Core State Standards (CCSS)-aligned instruction during classroom visits. The presentation objectives are to help participants 1) confidently identify CCSS alignment in lessons, 2) assist teachers with CCSS instruction, and 3) access implementation resources. The presentation includes videos of classrooms and discussion of CCSS characteristics in English language arts and math. Resources shared include websites and publications to support CCSS understanding and implementation. Participants evaluate whether the session helped meet the objectives and acquire implementation resources.

1. Classroom Visits: Is that
Common Core?
Signature Practice Session
ACSA 2013 Leadership Summit
Marty Martinez, Elk Grove USD
Anne Zeman, Ed.D., Twin Rivers USD

2. Session Agenda
• What do we expect to observe when we
visit a CCSS classroom? Introduction
• General Expectations for Common Core
• CCSS ELA
• CCSS Math
• Common Core: What support do our
teachers need?
• Resources
2

3. Session Objectives
By the end of today’s session, participants
will …
1. Report being more confident in
identifying the degree to which a lesson
is Common Core-aligned
2. Report being more confident in assisting
teachers in developing and providing
Common Core instruction
3. Be able to identify resources to support
Common Core implementation.
3

4. Where Are We with Common Core?
• How comfortable are your teachers in
implementing Common Core?
• How confident are you that you could
recognize lessons that are truly CCSS?
• How confident are you that you can help
your teachers to understand the
expectations of, and to teach, CCSS?
4

5. Common Core Classroom Visit
Let’s walk into a classroom of a teacher who
has been working on teaching
Common Core State Standards.
What do we expect to see?
5

6. Common Core Classroom Visit
As you view this video, you use
the handout provided to note
visual and auditory artifacts that
exemplify Common Core.
Common Core State Standards Observation Notes
Lesson Objective:
Does this reflect a Common Core Standard?
Evidence of CCSS-aligned Instruction
☐ Yes
☐ No
Instructional Examples that are not CCSS
Also, note evidence of practices
that do not exemplify Common
Core.
http://www.insidemathematics.org
/index.php/standard-3
6

7. Common Core Classroom Visit
[Discussion about findings]
7

8. Common Core Classroom Visit
What are the
that typify Common Core?
8

9. Common Core BIG IDEAS
with challenges, whether
ELA or math or other subject areas
• Collaboration with peers, defending &
critiquing ideas
•
Providing evidence
from text or providing
reasoning/rationale
9

10. Common Core BIG IDEAS, ELA
• Balance of Informational Text and
Narrative Text
• More complex text with higher lexile
levels
• Text-based evidence (text
dependency)
• Demands for a strong vocabulary
10

11. 11

12. 12

13. 13

14. Common Core BIG IDEAS, Lexiles
Text Complexity
Grade Band in the
Standards
Old Lexile Ranges
Lexile Ranges
Aligned to CCR
Expectations
K-1
N/A
N/A
2-3
450-725
450-790
4-5
645-845
770-980
6-8
860-1010
955-1155
9-10
960-1115
1080-1305
11-CCR
1070-1220
1215-1355
Facsimile of table in CCSS-ELA Appendix A, page 8
14

15. Common Core BIG IDEAS, Math
•
•
•
•
Deep understanding of concepts
Ability to apply conceptual understanding
Fluency
Dual intensity of practicing &
understanding
15

16. 16

17. 17

18. Common Core Classroom Visit
Table Talk:
At your table, please find the salmon- and
green-colored mats. Working with elbow
partners, sort the classroom practices listed
into categories of “Possibly CCSS-aligned”
or “Not likely CCSS-aligned.”
18

19. Common Core Classroom Visit
Let’s view another video:
http://vimeo.com/54007714
Table Talk:
19

20. Common Core Classroom Visit
As we visit classrooms, how do we recall the
standards?
20

21. Common Core:
Help for Our Teachers
What progression of topics helps our
teachers to understand the Common Core?
21

22. Common Core:
Help for Our Teachers
Resources for you:
Packet walk
22

23. Common Core:
Help for Our Teachers
Resources for you:
•www.engageny.org
•www.achievethecore.org
•www.tcoe.org
•www.doe.k12.de.us
•www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc
• CCCSS - Appendices A, B, & C
23

24. Common Core:
Help for Our Teachers
Resources for you:
– www.acsa.org
• Current Issues “Leadership”
• 2013 Archives
• January/February 2013
OR
– http://www.acsa.org/FunctionalMenuCategori
es/Media/LeadershipMagazine/2013Archives.aspx
24

25. Common Core Classroom Visit
Return to objectives:
1. Did this session help you to feel more
confident in identifying the degree to which
a lesson is Common Core-aligned?
2. Did this session help you to feel more
confident in assisting teachers in developing
and providing Common Core instruction?
3. Do you now have more resources to support
Common Core implementation?
25

26. Common Core Classroom Visit
Evaluation and Thank you
26

27. Classroom Visits: Is that
Common Core?
Presenter Contact Information:
• Marty Martinez, Elk Grove USD, (916) 688-8484;
maemarti@egusd.net
• Anne Zeman, Ed.D., Twin Rivers USD, (916) 5661600 ext. 50024; anne.zeman@twinriversusd.org