Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement

Open to ALL English Language Arts & SPED Teachers (Elementary, Middle & High School Teachers)

The Common Core State Standards are here and, as with any new initiative, there are the inevitable questions and concerns, debate and discontent. Pathways to the Common Core, by Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth and Christopher Lehman does not take sides; rather, the authors acknowledge the range of opinions swarming around the English Language Arts CCSS and wisely focus their energy on making sense of the standards. They provide a clear examination of what is and isn't stated and then invite us to seize this opportunity to reflect on our practice and to become "co-constructors of the future of instruction and curriculum." Please join us in furthering the discussions surrounding the CCSS by a shared reading of the aforementioned book and 4 evenings of discussion regarding your implementation progress of the CCSS. Distance learning class discussions will be complemented by online blog discussion boards to allow for collaborative ongoing discussions and sharing.

A credit option will be available through St. Mary's University.

Participants will gain knowledge in:

• The English Language Arts Common Core Standards.
• What other teachers of English Language Arts are doing to successfully implement the standards.
• What hot topics are surrounding the CCSS and how best to move forward in preparing our students for the next grade-level as well as college and/or careers.