Educators are searching everywhere for tools and information about the Common Core. This book provides one of the best informational guides to CCSS that the reviewer, Sandy Merritt, has seen. It not only explains the intended learning of each standard, it gives examples of how to provide that instruction. The introduction includes a brief discussion of how CCSS got started, what it is, and its intent. The remainder of the book is divided into three parts: 1) the reading domains, 2) the math domains, and 3) the process for developing standards-based lessons and sample lessons using that process.

In the ELA section, there is a description of each focus area: building knowledge through reading informational text, reading complex text, close reading and citing text evidence, and writing and speaking about texts. All four strands are included: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. It is further divided into three subsections/domains: Reading Literature, Reading Informational Text, and Reading Foundational Skills. College and career readiness standards are also explained. In addition to the descriptions of each standard, there are tables that illustrate vertical articulation and how the standard changes from grade to grade, connections across curriculum areas, and a summary of the appendices.

The math section is organized into two parts: the Standards for Mathematical Content, covering all the conceptual mathematical understanding necessary for students to develop from kindergarten through 12th grade, and the Standards for Mathematical Practice, which describes the kinds of knowledge that are essential for students to use when working with the content. There are sections addressing both implication and implementation of the standards. All domains of the CCSS are covered:  Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Numbers and Operations in Base Ten, Numbers and Operations - Fraction, Measurement and Data, and Geometry.   Each grade level is discussed and illustrated through text and tables.

The lesson development section includes a step-by-step process for developing lessons that includes the following steps: 1) identify focus, 2) how learning will be assessed, 3) beginning activities, 4) activities that will engage students in learning the content, and 5) closing activities. "Classroom Instruction That Works" is referenced in this section and throughout the book. There are then sample lessons for both reading and math and for each grade level. Lessons are well done and include goals, connections to CCSS standards, activities and assessment. The lessons typically are written for multiple days and include:  Reading and Speaking for Understanding, Penquins on Display, Using Text Structure to Understand Money, Reading and Writing Hurricane Katrina, Exploring Them in Historical Fiction, Understanding Equivalent Fractions, Understanding Angle Measurements, and Division of Decimals through Concrete Models.  

The authors of this book have done a nice job of keeping the content in understandable terms and making it an easy read. It is devoted entirely to grades 3-5 which is an added value. Intermediate level teachers should find this to be an important tool in helping to understand and implement the CCSS.

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A special thank you to Iowa ASCD Member Sandy Merritt who shared this review.

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And remember this book is available to all Iowa ASCD members via the 30 titles available 24/7 for 2015.  In addition, there are the other books available 24/7 during 2015 to all Iowa ASCD members that will increase your effectiveness as a leader of learning. (If you have forgotten your password to these resources, please contact Lou Howell at LouHowell@mediacombb.net.)