This practical, supportive book begins with an overview of the Common
Core State Standards (CCSS), addressing some frequently asked questions
and concerns about them. Then, the heart of the book features vignettes
of six grade 3-5 classroom teachers from a diverse range of schools,
sharing their innovative lesson ideas and showing how they address the
CCSS in concert with the deliberate, student-centered teaching and
learning choices they already make. Focusing on such oft-taught topics
as identifying themes, making and supporting inferences, determining
main ideas, and summarizing, these teachers consider how to accommodate
students' different learning styles and offer ideas for instruction that
crosses multiple disciplinary areas. Featured texts include Because of
Winn-Dixie, D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths paired with The Lightning
Thief, and a classroom blog in which students share their thinking with
their classmates. Throughout, Williams and his colleagues stress the
importance of formative assessment based on student needs to guide daily
instruction, as well as time-tested principles of good teaching
expressed in NCTE guidelines and position statements. The third section
offers further ideas for integrating the CCSS into your individual
teaching, collaborating with colleagues, and becoming-or extending your
work as-a teacher advocate.