Integrating the Common Integrating the Common Core Standards through Core Standards through

StorytellingStorytellingEllie ShinhamEllie Shinham

Stories WorkStories Work

2 October 20102 October 2010

What are the Common Core What are the Common Core Standards?Standards?

Commissioned by Nat’l Governors Asso & the Commissioned by Nat’l Governors Asso & the Council of Chief State School OfficersCouncil of Chief State School Officers

Most statesMost states Written by a working group, many ACT peopleWritten by a working group, many ACT people Urban schools have already jumpedUrban schools have already jumped One realization from all this testing: states vary One realization from all this testing: states vary

widely in their standards for children’s learningwidely in their standards for children’s learning Literacy & Math Standards; Literacy in Content Literacy & Math Standards; Literacy in Content

Areas for older studentsAreas for older students

So we’ve got nat’l standards?So we’ve got nat’l standards?

CloseClose Texas & Alaska declinedTexas & Alaska declined VA may declineVA may decline Race to the Top moneyRace to the Top money

They aren’t perfect…They aren’t perfect…

But they’re pretty good!But they’re pretty good! Children do move from state to stateChildren do move from state to state Standards are not a program to adopt; more Standards are not a program to adopt; more

like touchstoneslike touchstones Standards do not “tell teachers how to teach”Standards do not “tell teachers how to teach” Categorical in nature, but with frequent Categorical in nature, but with frequent

reminders to think of the whole: child, reminders to think of the whole: child, curriculumcurriculum

Aims of the StandardsAims of the Standards

Students who are college/career ready in Students who are college/career ready in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening & Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening & Language:Language:

Demonstrate independenceDemonstrate independence Build strong content knowledgeBuild strong content knowledge Respond to the varying demands of audience, Respond to the varying demands of audience,

task, purpose & disciplinetask, purpose & discipline Comprehend as well as critiqueComprehend as well as critique

Aims continuedAims continued

Value evidenceValue evidence Use technology & digital media strategically Use technology & digital media strategically

& capably& capably Come to understand other perspectives and Come to understand other perspectives and

culturescultures

This sounds like the kind of person I want to be!This sounds like the kind of person I want to be!

What’s also welcomeWhat’s also welcome

ClarityClarity Focus on languageFocus on language Focus on informational textFocus on informational text Focus on vocabularyFocus on vocabulary Text complexityText complexity ““Students’ ability to read complex text does Students’ ability to read complex text does

not always develop in a linear fashion.” not always develop in a linear fashion.” (Appendix A, p. 9)(Appendix A, p. 9)

Where can I find the Standards?Where can I find the Standards?

http://www.corestandards.orghttp://www.corestandards.org Print & dip inPrint & dip in Appendices are pretty helpful!Appendices are pretty helpful!

A Text ComplexityA Text Complexity B Exemplars: actual text, lesson ideas (long)B Exemplars: actual text, lesson ideas (long) C Writing samples: student work (long)C Writing samples: student work (long) ELLELL Students with disabilitiesStudents with disabilities

Literacy = reading, writing, speaking & listening, Literacy = reading, writing, speaking & listening, with integration of research & media skillswith integration of research & media skills

Using TellingUsing Telling

Didn’t think I’d let my chance to tell go by, Didn’t think I’d let my chance to tell go by, did you now?did you now?

““The Rainhat”– The Rainhat”– Just Enough to Make A StoryJust Enough to Make A Story by Nancy Schimmelby Nancy Schimmel

ConnectionsConnections

Can children meet standards just by listening?Can children meet standards just by listening? The telling needs to be turned over to the The telling needs to be turned over to the

childrenchildren What standards for “The Rainhat”?What standards for “The Rainhat”? Gr. 3 Reading Literature: recount stories…Gr. 3 Reading Literature: recount stories…

determine the central message…explain how it determine the central message…explain how it is conveyed through key detailsis conveyed through key details

““Rainhat” COULD meet manyRainhat” COULD meet many

Gr. 3 Reading Informational Text: Use Gr. 3 Reading Informational Text: Use information gained from illustrations…and the information gained from illustrations…and the words to demonstrate understandingwords to demonstrate understanding

Gr. 3 Writing: Write informative/explanatory Gr. 3 Writing: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. information clearly.

Take learned folds & create new story; write Take learned folds & create new story; write both narrative & directions for paper foldsboth narrative & directions for paper folds

Let’s play with StandardsLet’s play with Standards

In small groupsIn small groups Select your pathSelect your path The Storyteller’s PathThe Storyteller’s Path The Teacher’s PathThe Teacher’s Path

We’ll have a few groups share…We’ll have a few groups share…

Please!Please!

Big pictureBig picture

How will the specific storytelling lessons & How will the specific storytelling lessons & activities you brainstormed achieve those big activities you brainstormed achieve those big outcomes? The aims? Value evidence, outcomes? The aims? Value evidence, comprehend as well as critique, etc.comprehend as well as critique, etc.

Here’s how I think my “Rainhat” plans will Here’s how I think my “Rainhat” plans will help: It’s essential in telling that one “respond help: It’s essential in telling that one “respond to the varying demands of audience, task, to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose & discipline.”purpose & discipline.”

How do your plans connect?How do your plans connect?

Chat with your group about how your Chat with your group about how your stories/lessons/plans/activities connect back to stories/lessons/plans/activities connect back to the larger aims of the Standards?the larger aims of the Standards?

Please sharePlease share

For further discussion/work, please contact Ellie: For further discussion/work, please contact Ellie: elliejo68@yahoo.comelliejo68@yahoo.com