ELA-CCSS Professional Development Requirements

This is a working document, meaning it will continually evolve as new resources are discovered.  With that being said, at this time it is difficult for me to establish the number of hours a faculty member will receive for their professional development.  We will work together on this to establish a fair representation of the hours spent working on this professional development activity.  As we move forward deepening our understanding of the ELA CCSS, I encourage you to share your thoughts, opinions, and any research you discover in the comment section at the bottom of every blog post.  In order to do this, the blog site will ask you to sign up for a Google account.  If you do not have a Google account already, I encourage you to sign up for one.  If you elect not to have a Google account, I encourage your to email me your thoughts or any research related items you discover.  My personal email account is: jeffekena@gmail.com

The following is list of criteria that will be required in order to receive professional development hours:

1. Email Mr. Ekena a statement of assurance that you will utilize the ELA Common Core blog for your professional development (a brief statement will do) by June 8th, 2012. (New posts will begin after this date) 



Complete a daily log indicating the following: title of blog viewed, date and time the site was viewed, length of video, time spent reading blog entry or linked websites, etc.  Additionally, please indicate any thoughts or areas of concern you may have from the blog posts.  These journal entries will assist us in our curriculum committee meetings next school year.
2. Select blog entries will have have PDF worksheets for you to download and complete.  Please hold on to these completed worksheets until school resumes in August.  Please indicate the time spent reflecting on these PDF documents in your log. 
   
   
   
   
   **All documents excluding printable PDFs must have capability to be emailed at the end of summer**

Appendix A

Appendix A acts as a preface to the ELA standards.  This clarifying document provides foundational research-based information, the thinking behind the organization of the standards, and the language found within the standards.  Appendix A also provides insight as to how Appendix B (text exemplars) and Appendix C (student writing samples) should be used.  To assist in raising our teachers' understanding of the Common Core ELA Standards, we are asking all staff members to take time this summer to read Appendix A of the Common Core Standards. 


Appendix A includes information on...

• How to define Text Complexity, recognize and prioritize text types by grade (p.p. 2-16) 
• Reading Foundational Skills K-5 (supplement for main document) (p.p. 17-22)
• Writing: complex relationship of Argument vs. Persuasion (p.p. 23-25)
• Speaking and Listening instruction (p.p. 26-27)
• An emphasis on the integrated approach to Grammar and Conventions (p.p. 28-30)
• The progression of Language Skills development in chart form (p. 31)
• Vocabulary Development and strategies (p.p. 32-35)
• Pages 36-40 include a Bibliography arranged by category, and pages 42-43 include a Glossary of key terms

We are committed to making this transition as meaningful and painless as possible!  As we begin the lengthy process of transitioning to the Common Core, we will need to rely on colleagues and administration for support and feedback. It is our hope that this Blog can serve as a forum for staff to seek guidance, information and/or clarification; to voice perspectives and lend support to others. Please feel free to share any resources you may come across.

Click here for access to Appendix A of the Common Core ELA Standards:
Common Core Standards: Appendix A

ELA - Common Core State Standards

ELA Common Core

• Introduction
• Anchor Standards 
• Reading - Literature, Informational Text, Foundation Skills
• Writing
• Speaking Listening 
• Language
• Standard 10 - Range, Quantity, and Complexity