1. Parent Night Sycamore Jr. High School October 15, 2014
Common Core
Parent Night
Sycamore Jr. High School
October 15, 2014

2. OBJECTIVES
Provide a basic understanding of the Common Core State Standards and what changes this is bringing about in our school
Explain what “college and career readiness” means
Provide tips for you to support your children’s schooling at home

3. What is Common Core?

4. What is Common Core?
The Common Core is a set of academic standards in mathematics and English language arts (ELA).
Learning goals that outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade (k-12).
43 states (including California), Washington D.C, and 4 territories have adopted the Common Core State Standards.
Source:

5. Essence of Common Core
Uniform learning expectations for all students across the U.S.
Deeper understanding of content
Real learning vs. short term memorization
Using evidence to support answers
Literacy across subjects
Skills for success in college and 21st century workforce

6. The 4 Cs
Collaboration
Communication
Critical Thinking
Creativity

7. Why the shift to Common Core?
Unequal standards across the country
Academic Progress in U.S. is stagnant
Falling behind other countries economically
Designed to ensure students are “college and career ready” out of high school

8. What does “college and career readiness” mean?
After a student graduates from high school, he or she will have the skills necessary to be successful in:
Freshman-level college courses
Entry-level careers
Workforce training programs
What does “college and career readiness” mean?

9. Common Core at Sycamore
What is expected of our students?
Language Arts
More reading of different texts (not just stories)
Using evidence to support answers
Focus on academic vocabulary
Mathematics
Integrated math vs. single subject math (i.e. pre-algebra and algebra)
Teaching to understand concepts vs. teaching to master skills
More oral participation in class
More group work
More writing in all subjects

10. Common Core at Sycamore
Professional development for teachers
State testing
Informational meetings and workshops for parents

11. What does common core look like for our students?
Activity
What does common core look like for our students?
Math example

12. Tips for Parents Provide an environment at home conducive for success
Daily routine is necessary
Map out homework time, study time and extracurricular activities
Provide a clean and quiet space for homework
Reading time every day for the entire family
Speak with your children every day
Ask open ended questions
Ask about school and what they learned today
Know which areas your child struggles in
Challenge your child to provide evidence in everyday discussions and disagreements
Check Aeries regularly
Check agenda planner daily
Communicate with teachers
Attend meetings and events
Seek resources
Visit the Parent Center

13. Student Resources Homework Club Academics First Program SES Tutoring
Tiger Woods Learning Center
Before and after school time with teachers
Teacher websites
Example:
Counselors
Libraries (Public libraries and school library)
AFP not a punishment but an opportunity

14. Thank you for taking the time to attend tonight.
If our mission is to improve the academic achievement and possible outcomes for all of our children, It is important that our entire community understands the changes happening with common core.
Thank you for taking the time to attend tonight.