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Text Complexity & the CCSS
Motivation+Engagement+Rigor=Student Success
April/May, 2012
Greetings!

My newsletter is designed to be a quick, practical read; strategies you can use tomorrow. In addition to the classroom strategies, there is a Principal's Perspective for School Leaders and Resourceful Recommendations, where you'll find my favorite resources.  I hope you enjoy this issue, forward it to friends and colleagues, and contact me with any feedback or questions.  Please note that there will also be a combined June/July issue that will come out in late June.

Barbara
Using Multiple Texts

A valuable skill, and one that the CCSS incorporates for all subject areas and grade levels is to help students see differing perspectives through a variety of sources. As a social studies teacher explained, "comparing secondary source information to primary source material helps students see how what the writer or speaker intended rather than how other writers interpreted him or her." There are many options for written, audio, and video speeches available on the internet such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream", George W. Bush's speech just after the events of 9/11, or Susan B. Anthony's speech on a woman's right to vote. It's important to find a speech that suits your subject and the developmental age of your students. Career and Technology teachers may wish to use speeches by leaders in specific professions, such as Steve Jobs or Suze Orman. Or, if you've just read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, use an author interview with Eric Carle about his writing process and discuss what students learned. Other options include comparing opinion-based articles with news articles, texts written from different perspectives such as the Three Little Pigs and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, or examples of debates.

 

Principal's Perspective

 

A major shift in the Common Core State Standards is that of text difficulty.  The samples listed are based on Lexile Levels, which measure the readability of the text.  Remember to encourage teachers to use their own judgment to determine if a book is appropriate to the developmental level or age of the student, and whether the content matches the standards.  



Did yBarbara R. Blackburnou find an idea you can use tomorrow?  Your students and teachers are individuals, so adapt the ideas to make them effective for your classroom or school. If you'd like to share a tip and see your name in my e-newsletter, contact me!

You'll find activity templates and more information about my presentations and books on my blog or on my website.

Finally, who do you know who might benefit from this newsletter?  Please forward it to them and remind them they make a difference, just like you do!

 

Sincerely,

 Barbara R. Blackburn

Barbara Blackburn
Blackburn Consulting Group
In This Issue
Using Multiple Texts
Principal's Perspective
Tips for Engaging Learners
Remarkable Resources
 
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Tips for Engaging Learners 

In addition to adding perspective, the use of multiple texts allows students to look beyond the surface for more depth of information. For example, after reading the fictional book The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis, students can read non-fiction online or encyclopedia articles and/or magazine articles to compare the story to Birmingham, Alabama, during the Civil Rights period. You could add another step by reading current newspaper and magazine articles to compare it to Birmingham today, detailing the changes that have occurred.  

  

Connect with Me for More Resources    


If you haven't visited my blog or website, you are missing out on a variety of free resources.

On my website, there are sections Just for Leaders, articles, podcasts, free activity templates for teachers, free planning guides for leaders, and more.  Take a few moments and check it out!

My blog posts daily during the week and is filled with timely tips.  Fridays are inspirational, with a quote or comment that reminds you of your importance.

And don't forget to connect with me via social media.  The links are above.  If you'd like to connect on LinkedIn, send me an invite with a note that you receive my newsletter.