IRA Guidelines to Help Struggling Learners with CC-RLA

This is a must read article for all of us making the shift in our teaching to close reading of complex text, an important challenge of Common Core.  Here a committee from the International Reading Association (IRA) gives teachers guidelines to help students master reading skill levels more difficult than the students are used to reading.  The committee suggests that CC states the challenge is more for students who are about to leave school ready to work and learn.  In the meantime, we have all kind of other children - in our case - struggling learners and dual-language learners.  This is important stuff for all of us in LEX.  They suggest more skillful instructional scaffolding, i.e., rereading, explanation, encouragement and other supports within lessons.  Good to hear!

Reading Group Issues Guidance for Common Core. Catherine Gewertz.  10.9.12 Education Week - Curriculum Matters.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2012/10/ira_issues_guidance_on_common.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

Myths About CC Standard in Reading

This article is important for all of our Title I reading teachers.  It should help clarify what is being asked in implementing close reading of complex text.  Four myths are thoroughly explained...

• Myth 1.  Text complexity is a fixed number.
• Myth 2.  All prereading activities are inappropriate.
• Myth 3.  Answering text-dependent questions is what teaches students to be analytical readers.
• Myth 4.  The common core abandons fiction.

The article ends with interesting dialog to clarify our own understanding of what the standards mean and what that means in our instructional practices.  The overall purpose of CC is important to bear in mind --- to prepare all students for careers and college.

Four Myths About the ELA Common-Core Standards.  Strasser and Dobbertin. 7.10.12.  Education Week Teacher.
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/07/10/tln_strasserdobbertin.html?tkn=XMCFRU8lQd1plgZyJlPk0qmHl1jlA%2FLy%2FH32&cmp=clp-sb-teacher