Discussions that Promote Societal Belonging
They are a recurring nightmare in the United States, a horrifying symptom of some dysfunction in our culture. In the past six months, victims have been theater-goers, Sikh worshipers, and, now, first...
View ArticleGoals for 2013
During the last two weeks, I’ve had time to enjoy my beautiful ladies (my wife and our 2-year old and 6-month old), visit with family, reconnect with friends, rest my mind, and reflect on the year to...
View ArticleSimple Rubrics for Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards
One search term that seems to regularly bring folks to the Teaching the Core blog is “speaking and listening rubric for Common Core State Standards.” Up to this point, those good-hearted yet...
View ArticleHow to NOT Freak Out about the Common Core
Here’s what’s up: despite our circumstances, a majority of the 3.5 million of us teachers still want to do something that matters with our careers; we still want to impact student achievement in a way...
View ArticleWhat’s YOUR Common Core Story?
I’m switching it up with this post; I want the bulk of the content to come from you, the intrepid readers. I hear what so many of you are saying on Twitter or Facebook or your own blogs or in...
View ArticleA Non-Freaked Out, Focused Approach to the Common Core — Part 1
When I set out in June 2012 to blog through the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), I was, as long-time readers know, a diehard standards avoider. To me, standards were nothing more than codified wish...
View ArticleA Non-Freaked Out, Focused Approach to the Common Core — Part 2 — Complex Texts
Recently, I posted an overview of the non-freaked out approach to the Common Core that I’ve been experimenting with in my ninth grade world history and comp/lit (ELA) classes during the last year and a...
View ArticleA Non-Freaked Out, Focused Approach to the Common Core — Part 3 — Close Reading
So there’s been lots of talk about close reading this year, even though it’s far from new. And the hype makes sense; close reading is pretty much the heart of R.CCR.1, the very first of the reading...
View ArticleNon-Freaked Out Common Core — Part 4 — Argument and Debate
If there is one way that you can begin implementing the writing and speaking/listening portions of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in a simplified, manageable, high bang-for-your-buck fashion,...
View ArticleA Non-Freaked Out, Focused Approach to the Common Core — Part 5 — Every Kid...
Prior to the Common Core, I nurtured a belief that not all of my students needed to talk. After all, some are shy (I was, as a secondary school student), and mandatory speaking events can bring about...
View ArticleDave’s Summer 2013 Reading List
Wow, this year has flown. Last Friday, I walked out of my school for the last time this school year. (This morning, I will re-enter it for world history curriculum work, but let’s ignore that for a...
View ArticleWhy I Will and Won’t Care if Michigan Legislators Block Funding for CCSS...
If you’re in a Common Core state, chances are there is a raucous coalition of folks desperately seeking to abandon ship. I can’t even begin to fully explain this phenomenon (I’m hoping you, the awesome...
View ArticleGermany and Long-term Student Flourishing
Within 12 hours, I’ll be on a plane bound for Germany, all thanks to an awesome study tour fellowship through the Transatlantic Outreach Program (if you teach any area of social studies, Google this...
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Waging War on the Bad Guys
I recently had the privilege and pleasure of traveling to two beautiful towns–Harrah, Oklahoma and Lebanon, Missouri–and speaking to two beautiful groups of teachers about the non-freaked out approach...
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A Non-Freaked Out, Focused Approach to the Common Core — Part 6 — Write,...
One of the biggest bang-for-your-buck Common Core standards is W.CCR.10, which basically says, “Write frequently for many reasons.” And the amazing thing about writing is that it achieves so many...
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The Best of Teaching the Core
Welcome to the best posts and videos here on the Teaching the Core blog. I have over 100 posts that will help you understand, evaluate, and implement literacy, Common Core and otherwise, in your...
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How Administrators Can Wage War on Bad PD
I think every teacher in the universe has felt like this during at least one PD. So I shared a bit ago about how one of the bad guys that’s driving teachers nuts these days is bad PD. Okay, driving...
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How to Dominate Your Common Core Supply Needs with DonorsChoose.org
So you’re eager to challenge your students, Common Core style, with some challenging, complex texts. Or you’re having students debate, but you’d like to get a Flip camera to record them for feedback....
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The Only 100 Words You Need to Read Today
Dominating life or the CCSS with your students is all about starting. Edublogs and opinions abound; none of them can try something bold in your classroom. That’s all I’m writing this week. Instead of...
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A Non-Freaked Out, Focused Approach to the Common Core — Part 7 — Teach...
The Common Core does a pretty good job of laying out some key cognitive skills students need to be ready for career or college. Yes, for you CCSS doubters out there, I said it–I think the standards are...
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