This book takes you into the classrooms of middle school and junior high
teachers who are meeting the demands of the Common Core State Standards
(CCSS) while staying true to their students and to their own knowledge
of what constitutes effective, student-centered teaching. Beginning with
an overview of the CCSS, the first section of the book addresses some
common questions and concerns about the new standards. Perry then
spotlights individual grade 6-8 classrooms, showing the real learning
and achievement that occur when teachers focus on students' needs and
interests rather than on trying simply to "cover" a list of standards.
The teaching vignettes in Section II honor a variety of school contexts,
cultures, and teaching environments, from struggling areas coping with
the effects of diminished resources to more affluent districts that can
offer students the latest in high-tech learning materials. In all cases,
though, you see individual teachers' innovative approaches, based on
their experiences of what does--and doesn't--work, as well as on NCTE
principles of good teaching. These rich vignettes, focusing on
oft-taught books such as The Outsiders and The Watsons Go to
Birmingham--1963, feature student collaboration, writing for authentic
audiences, and the incorporation of visual literacies through the use of
photos and YouTube clips. The final section shows how to build
instruction from and with the CCSS, offering ideas for teachers as
individuals, as collaborators with colleagues, and as advocates for
professional support. Throughout, the teachers affirm the importance of
professional development, by belonging to organizations like NCTE and
the National Writing Project, by attending local and national
conferences, and by participating in local communities of practice.
