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Common Core and Technology: Resources to Assist Educators in Understanding the Standards

If you would like to know more about how to integrate technology during a research project using the Common Core Standards (CCSS) than this module is for you! This is the professional development module I will be using at two of the elementary schools in my district, so an administrator, coach, or teacher could use the resources provided to implement a professional development opportunity for the teachers in their building or district. It could also be used as a resource for teachers at their leisure or during team meetings. Hopefully my step-by-step instructions will be simple and easy to follow. If not, please do not hesitate to send me an email with suggestions.

My goal for this module is for teachers to explore possible technology tools that will assist them in teaching the CCSS. Even though I have divided the teachers into eight groups of about four people to study each standard, I still want them to see how these standards are connected. This is why teachers will be given a performance task to complete using Google docs. Using Google docs, will allow teachers an opportunity to see how this resource can assist them in collaborating on an assignment or in their planning, as well as, have ideas for implementing a unit of study in our K-5 classrooms.

Here you can find my agenda for the professional development as well as the presentation I will be using as an introduction to the activity. My presentation contains a model unit that I created to assist teachers in understanding the assignment.

Agenda: PowerPoint:

To start the professional development, I am going to provide an overview of the common core standards that relate to technology. The goal of the day is to explore technology tools that will help them teach across the curriculum. Therefore, the teachers are going to be given their performance task. Writing Anchor Standard 7 states the following: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Pose the question - What technology tools can teachers and students use to assist in teaching and learning the CCSS?

When setting up for your professional development, make sure that each group will have access to the following materials: - a SMART Board or computer - iPads

I have tried to provide links to a variety of technology tools rather than just focusing on a specific tool because I know availability may be limited. Once the materials are set up, teachers will explore the resources to complete their assignment. The eight standards that I will be focusing on for the module are as follows:

Group 1 Informational Anchor Standard 5 - Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.

Group 2 Literary Anchor Standard 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

Group 3 Informational Anchor Standard 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

Group 4 Writing Anchor Standard 6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.

Group 5 Writing Anchor Standard 8 - Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.

Group 6 Speaking & Listening Anchor Standard 2 - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Group 7 Speaking & Listening Anchor Standard 5 - Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations

Group 8 Language Anchor Standard 4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.

Teachers will asked to present their findings along with the lesson and any products they have created.

Once the professional development is over I will post the units that the teachers created so that everyone can see how we integrated all of this information into a unit.

Hope you enjoy exploring this module! Have fun and learn a lot!