The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) pose an exciting challenge for all educators and their students, each of whom is expected to meet these standards. The CCSS in English Language Arts (ELA) articulate rigorous grade-level expectations focused on higher order thinking processes in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing to prepare all students to be college and career ready. To this end, this reference guide is designed to increase educators' ability to make teaching and learning decisions based on research-based best practices for the academic and language achievement of English language learners (ELLs). It can also serve to initiate professional learning conversations and guide educators to resources that accelerate and improve the teaching and learning of ELL students.

Given the prevalence of student diversity, schools are struggling to find ways to help with the implementation of CCSS. With the wide range of student learning styles, socioeconomic backgrounds and life experiences, one key to meeting this challenge is the use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Originally developed to address the instructional needs of students with disabilities, UDL is now being embraced as an answer to creating learning environments where all students, regardless of their individual differences, can meet the CCSS. Designed for classroom teachers, this guide provides practical strategies and best practices for utilizing UDL as a means to help students successfully access and achieve the CCSS.

The Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted in most states in the country, delineate the skills and knowledge that students are expected to possess at each grade level (K-12) in order to be college and career ready (CCR) by the time they graduate high school. They are designed to ensure that ALL American students--including students with disabilities-- receive a high quality education that positions them for lifelong success. In IEPs & CCSS: Specially Designed Instructional Strategies, author Toby Karten presents a variety of specially designed instructional strategies and interventions that teachers and IEP team members can use to connect the individualized education programs (IEPs) of students with disabilities to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).This six-page (tri-fold) laminated guide offers a side-by-side outline of the required components of an IEP and the criteria for instruction according to the CCSS. Karten explains that when developing a student's IEP, the IEP team should include both individualized goals (the behaviors/skills/tasks the student is expected to learn) and the grade level standards of the CCSS.The guide offers examples of accommodations and instructional supports to include in a student's IEP to help him/her meet IEP goals as well as math and literacy standards. Specially designed instruction may include (among other things) * the involvement of additional service providers * instructional strategies based on universal design for learning (UDL) principles * assistive technology devices and services * incorporating the students interests and strengths Five scenarios are provided to demonstrate a variety of ways instruction can be individualized for students with specific classifications, strengths and interests. The guide also outlines a step-by-step approach for helping students with IEPs achieve the standards. Additional online and print resources are also included, making this guide a valuable quick reference tool for IEP team members.

Test Prep for CCSS Performance Tasks is a 64-page three book series for grades six through eight. It focuses on performance tasks aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts/Literacy. The series will help familiarize students with tasks and language they may encounter in Common Core assessments. Each book include instruction resources, rubrics, instructional overview, instructional strategies, and resources for each performance task. --Mark Twain Media Publishing Company specializes in providing captivating, supplemental books and decorative resources to complement middle- and upper-grade classrooms. Designed by leading educators, the product line covers a range of subjects including mathematics, sciences, language arts, social studies, history, government, fine arts, and character.

Test Prep for CCSS Performance Tasks is a 64-page three book series for grades six through eight. It focuses on performance tasks aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts/Literacy. The series will help familiarize students with tasks and language they may encounter in Common Core assessments. Each book include instruction resources, rubrics, instructional overview, instructional strategies, and resources for each performance task. Mark Twain Media Publishing Company specializes in providing captivating, supplemental books and decorative resources to complement middle- and upper-grade classrooms. Designed by leading educators, the product line covers a range of subjects including mathematics, sciences, language arts, social studies, history, government, fine arts, and character.

Test Prep for CCSS Performance Tasks is a 64-page three book series for grades six through eight. It focuses on performance tasks aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts/Literacy. The series will help familiarize students with tasks and language they may encounter in Common Core assessments. Each book include instruction resources, rubrics, instructional overview, instructional strategies, and resources for each performance task. --Mark Twain Media Publishing Company specializes in providing captivating, supplemental books and decorative resources to complement middle- and upper-grade classrooms. Designed by leading educators, the product line covers a range of subjects including mathematics, sciences, language arts, social studies, history, government, fine arts, and character.

Looking for Common Core lesson plans? THE KEY TO ALIGNING YOUR K-5 CLASS WITH COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS: 30 Projects that integrate technology into core lesson plans is for classroom teachers, technology integration specialists and lab professionals, as a resource for aligning their technology program with the Common Core State Standards now implemented in forty-six states. You will find it a foundational tool for scaffolding technology into the areas of math, language, reading, writing, speaking and listening as is required in CCSS. Overall, they are authentic approaches to student-centered learning, asking the student to be a risk-taker in his/her educational goals and the teacher to act as guide. The essential questions are open-ended and conversations organic and inquiry-driven, ultimately asking students to take responsibility for the process of their own learning. It can be used as a resource book, to provide exciting new lessons that seamlessly blend technology with lesson plans and involve students in the many new tools available to enrich their educational experiences, or a road map, plotting the vertical planning and differentiated instruction fundamental to CCSS goals. There are thirty lessons, five per grade level, covering: audio stories blogging brainstorming Collaborative writing Create how-to directions creative book review digital storytelling Essential ingredients to stories Explore the world Parts of a whole Write and publish a story write stories in comics Writing craft and structure Digital portfolios Estimate, visualize, verify Excel and arrays GE Literary Tour GE research Math Online communication tools Practice letters and words online Research–source authenticity Shapes are everywhere Shelfari book reviews Skype Storybird Timelines word recognition Each includes: The Common Core State Standard alignment The Essential Question—the Big Idea An Overview Objectives and Steps A Sample (where appropriate) Links to related websites and material (where applicable) Additional grade levels suitable for the lesson