tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post6245848494256967813..comments2024-03-22T01:34:35.213-07:00Comments on Finding JOY in 6th Grade: I'm Blaming It ALL on Common CoreKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03596768050411395194noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-14246297452604331892013-08-04T16:48:25.124-07:002013-08-04T16:48:25.124-07:00LOL!! I stopped by to stalk you as you have been i...LOL!! I stopped by to stalk you as you have been ignoring my emails but now I see why! I was just whining...err... discussing CCSS and how the standards are ridiculously low in 3rd grade. I am beyond annoyed and frustrated. It just seems to me that some of it is WAAAAY to easy and some of it is WAAAAY to hard and rarely is it developmentally appropriate. Its funny I am only CCSS trained (never taught any other way) and its driving me batty! I couldn't imagine teaching for 13 years and then have to change it all up!<br /><br />HUGS!<br />Misty<br />www.thinkwonderteach.comThink, Wonder, and Teachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14989520184672726443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-58721362182593542542013-08-04T12:16:41.470-07:002013-08-04T12:16:41.470-07:00This year will only be my third year teaching and ...This year will only be my third year teaching and luckily all I have had to teach is CCSS so I am not learning a "new" set of standards I am just learning to teach. :) One thing that I have come across while working with more experienced teachers at my school is that they haven't really had to change much about the WAY they teach, they have just changed some of WHAT they teach or what evidences they are looking for. Not to mention that the CCSS have a lot of implied learning progressions that teachers have to just use their professional knowledge to recognize and fill in so there are probably a lot of familiar strategies and lessons you will be able to pull out and use even if they don't seem like they directly correlate with CCSS. Good luck with the change and thanks for sharing your experiences with others, especially with "newbies" like me!Bethany Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456073407399066581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-23797871818886446102013-08-03T12:59:00.486-07:002013-08-03T12:59:00.486-07:00Kim, I just found your blog (love it! you rock!), ...Kim, I just found your blog (love it! you rock!), and when I saw this entry I had to comment (even if it's a few days behind). We're about to fully adopt the CCSS here in SC and I have felt lots of trepidation too. I am an ELA-teacher so I can't speak much about the math piece, however after reading Pathways to the Common Core and talking with state dept. educators and other teachers, I am feeling much more at peace with it.<br /><br />One thing that helped me was the reminder that many of the social studies, science, and math-oriented texts on those lists are supposed to be used by social studies, science, and math teachers; ELA teachers are still expected to teach fiction, poetry, and all the fun stuff! EVERYONE is now expected to support literacy in their classrooms so ELA doesn't bear the brunt of it.<br /><br />No matter what, when you shut your door and start your class, you are the expert and should make the final decision about HOW to teach your standards. CCSS tells us what to teach but leaves HOW up to us, the experts. You are clearly an awesome teacher and I'm glad you are coming to peace with CCSS. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09554045503007202847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-52600988225166788212013-07-30T15:22:32.115-07:002013-07-30T15:22:32.115-07:00In Texas we opted out of CC but that doesn't m...In Texas we opted out of CC but that doesn't mean I'm not there with your anxiety. As they change our standard, they make them standard one year and test them the following. Now I'm stressing over what my 6th graders will miss this year but be required to already to know next. You seem to care too. It will be ok as your whole state changes. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09021875728819943907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-21391644566241167472013-07-29T21:27:54.087-07:002013-07-29T21:27:54.087-07:00My dear sweet friend, any teacher who can engage h...My dear sweet friend, any teacher who can engage her students by eating "dirt" and celebrating "pie" will NO DOUBT rise to the challenge of the common core. And I don't mean that you will simply be able to meet the challenge ... I KNOW you will do it in a way that inspires, teaches, challenges, and engages your students. Do you know how I know this? Because you care ... probably more than anyone else I know. ♥<br /><br />Jen<br /><a href="http://www.rundesroom.com" rel="nofollow">Runde's Room</a> Runde's Roomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10131626283927713737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-82607605060331839032013-07-29T18:56:42.616-07:002013-07-29T18:56:42.616-07:00I so hear you, Kim!! I spent an hour at a workshop...I so hear you, Kim!! I spent an hour at a workshop on Friday trying to decipher Lesson 1 and 2 of the NYS math module for 4th grade! Lesson 2 really had me hung up and the presenter finally said, " Oh, that is a lesson that has caused an uproar across the state (after I officially decided I will NOT teach it the scripted module way). Ugh! We have NO math materials except for the modules (and resources teachers might happen to have on their shelves or buy on their own but they are not consistent grade to grade). Module 1 is 256 pages for 25 days of school. Wow! I am beyond overwhelmed and that is only math...Cheers to relying on fellow teachers for support:)<br />Math Module 1 in case you want to torture yourself a little more: http://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-4-mathematics-module-1<br />~Holly<br /><a href="http://fourthgradeflipper.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Fourth Grade Flipper</a>Fourth Grade Flipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16878854127879084534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-21617541777043901872013-07-29T18:33:13.374-07:002013-07-29T18:33:13.374-07:00You just summed it all up! It's nerve-wracking...You just summed it all up! It's nerve-wracking, but we have to dive in and make it work. :) Good luck, friend!<br />~HoJo~HoJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17185490202086864410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-41701370905068590682013-07-29T16:39:06.757-07:002013-07-29T16:39:06.757-07:00I can totally relate! This year my grade level is...I can totally relate! This year my grade level is adopting Common Core for the first time. New standards, new textbook (for Math), and new grade! YIKES.Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442080202750833535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-9617696396571545752013-07-29T14:02:33.880-07:002013-07-29T14:02:33.880-07:00Oh gosh, this was a great post. I love your hones...Oh gosh, this was a great post. I love your honesty! We are just starting to dip our toes in the common core waters. Our primary teachers had several days of professional development 'training' regarding common core last year. This year it's intermediate's turn. I keep telling myself change is good. Now if only I can truly buy into that.<br /><br />Lori<br /><br /><a href="http://lifeinroom24.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Life in Room 24</a> Lori @ Life in Room 15https://www.blogger.com/profile/04237988258991420366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-42079921811973475442013-07-29T06:39:11.471-07:002013-07-29T06:39:11.471-07:00We aren't supposed to implement it until next ...We aren't supposed to implement it until next year because the CST is still being counted this next year. I am so freaked out about it! My kids are lacking in basic math skills now, I cringe to think what it will be like in those "between" years of full implementation. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02654901427437545328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-43807130273065394202013-07-29T06:34:02.086-07:002013-07-29T06:34:02.086-07:00Never stop blogging Kim, even if it is only every ...Never stop blogging Kim, even if it is only every few weeks in between. I LOVE your posts. You always make me laugh and smile. Getting your posts in my inbox is a huge blessing!Teaching with TLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07296031817263414066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-79773949836127820312013-07-28T23:44:28.944-07:002013-07-28T23:44:28.944-07:00I totally agree! I would love curriculum that supp...I totally agree! I would love curriculum that supports Common Core!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550160334428987285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-79163846163716074052013-07-28T22:11:54.795-07:002013-07-28T22:11:54.795-07:00I'm just glad to know that other districts out...I'm just glad to know that other districts out there haven't fully implemented common core yet just like mine! :) Math or ELA!!!!! And virtually NO TRAINING! Or talking about it!!!<br /><br />So see-we are all in this together!!!!!! I've been reading like a mad woman this summer, and I'm going to be teaching 6th grade everything-YIKES! Never taught math, or science, AND I'm changing the way I teach reading, writing, english, vocabulary, spelling. You name it-it's new for me!!!<br /><br />BUT-we are going to rock this year! I feel like with all that I have learned and all that I am going to learn it's going to be an awesome year!! Yours will, too!!<br /><br />Now put on those organizational hats and show us what you've got!<br /><br />Shannon<br />http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com<br />Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13149662695273911122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-11396179077943768652013-07-28T21:32:34.236-07:002013-07-28T21:32:34.236-07:00This sounds exactly like me as I have been mulling...This sounds exactly like me as I have been mulling over the new Texas Standards for Math. I'm planning out some material a grade lower than what I most recently have taught and have been shaking my head like crazy saying "My kiddos didn't have a clue when I tried to introduce this last year much less be able to master it at the highest level of Bloom's."<br /><br />Jennifer Smith-Sloane<br /><a href="http://4mulaFun.com/" rel="nofollow"> 4mulaFun</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00284323693704056621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-52028934657071907192013-07-28T20:45:04.370-07:002013-07-28T20:45:04.370-07:00Amen!Amen!Debbie Hurtadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568630072592366128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-22559241054989900802013-07-28T19:47:47.872-07:002013-07-28T19:47:47.872-07:00Feel your pain!Feel your pain!Miss Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05539338105523098667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-74072831578055196062013-07-28T19:41:11.169-07:002013-07-28T19:41:11.169-07:00You are not alone, Kim. I think EVERYONE who has ...You are not alone, Kim. I think EVERYONE who has tackled Common Core has been right there in your shoes. Heck, I've been plugging along with CC for over 2 years and some days I feel the same way. But, those days get few and far between the good days. Promise. What I applaud is that you are THAT focused on being your very best. I applaud that after 30 years. You inspire me. This post just reminds me of why I admire you so much. Chin up, friend. It will get better!<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://funin4b.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Fun in Room 4B</a>Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07786531176109759149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-66808553720746856602013-07-28T19:11:49.136-07:002013-07-28T19:11:49.136-07:00I was where you are two years ago! It's obviou...I was where you are two years ago! It's obvious you are a caring and concerned teacher. You do what's best for your students. I can see that you challenge them. You have done more than your part toward learning CCSS. Now, just breathe and close the door and teach like you have for 30 years. Remember all the teaching fads that have come and gone? Well...The Teacher's Desk 6https://www.blogger.com/profile/05040785972634369374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-76574169701359680592013-07-28T19:08:29.311-07:002013-07-28T19:08:29.311-07:00My state was an all-in a couple of years ago. I a...My state was an all-in a couple of years ago. I am getting ready to start my third year of common core. Our biggest problem and concern is that there was no gradual introduction of CCSS, so you have HUGE groups of students who are missing key foundational pieces in mathematics when the standards shifted down one, two, or (gasp) three grade levels. We did full accountability the first year of implementing CCSS. Not fun, but we are working through it. My motto for the first year was that we had nowhere to go but up. Good luck! As school gets to rolling here soon, I am hoping to post on my blog how much department is going through the Common Core. Hopefully, I can help out some.<br /><br />Erin<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-26447175995458483802013-07-28T19:04:20.606-07:002013-07-28T19:04:20.606-07:00You could always move to Texas. We don't do Co...You could always move to Texas. We don't do Common Core like y'all. <br /><br />Hang in there! <br />KristinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-2617585061614711092013-07-28T19:04:16.978-07:002013-07-28T19:04:16.978-07:00I learned a long time ago..last year to be exact.....I learned a long time ago..last year to be exact..that CCCS are actually similar to our State standards. I am coming up on 32 years....I decided not to fear this change..but rather embrace it. There are so many TPT products out their for all grade levels including 6th..that have the Core broken down into Kid terms..you may want to check that out.<br />No worries..enjoy your ice cream! I just did!<br /><br />DebbieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02542528345570515772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4168673562042013396.post-73206856311664580772013-07-28T18:19:33.247-07:002013-07-28T18:19:33.247-07:00I hear ya! I am delving into AVID as we implement ...I hear ya! I am delving into AVID as we implement it into our site and even they are trying to align Common Core to AVID....it's everywhere! Are you at all worried about the existing state test? how do we teach to THAT and still implement CC? yikes! why can't summer last just a little bit longer? Melodeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03969442750226730977noreply@blogger.com