Winter Break

I'll be taking a break for a couple of weeks for the holiday season.  I hope that everyone has a restful winter break.  

In Memory

Excellent Teachers

"The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate 'apparently ordinary' people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people."   K. Patricia Cross

Another Resource for the Common Core

Timothy Shanahan's site is an excellent resource for literacy and the Common Core State Standards.  I've spoken with people who find him controversial, and I don't always agree 100% with his information, but it is a very useful site which provides key information about the CCSS. 

What Comes Next After the Common Core State Standards?

I was reading an email from a friend last week that included a transcript of a conversation about the Common Core.  In the midst of the conversation, someone asked, "But what comes next?  Aren't we paying any attention to instruction?"

I think it's important to pay attention to that question because it's at the heart of implementation of the CCSS.  The standards are an excellent foundation for increased rigor in our schools, but without rigorous instruction, we won't be able to meet the potential of truly rigorous education. 

How is your district or school dealing with the instructional aspects of rigor?

Effective Teachers

"We think of the effective teachers we have had over the years with a sense of recognition, but those who have touched our humanity we remember with a deep sense of gratitude."
Anonymous student

Favorite Common Core Resource?

What is your favorite resource for the Common Core State Standards?  Which of the many websites, blogs, or books has been helpful to you?  Please share in the comments section!

Another Recommended Blog

Have you checked out Cool Cat Teacher?  Vickie Davis's site is filled with links to lesson plans, resources, and anything related to teachers.  It's definitely worth your time.