Common Core: Why It Matters

Common Core Standards
We live in a state which has adopted the Common Core.  As a parent myself, I like to know what my children are being taught in school and why. I just wanted to make sure you know that what we are doing is specifically meeting those standards.  I really like the Common Core, it logically makes sense to me, allows me to have a lot of freedom in HOW I teach and I get to infuse my students with knowledge and skills they can use the rest of their lives.  Here is what has been covered recently:


Personal Narrative Unit: Writing Standards 7.3

3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a
narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.


7.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

7.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed



Persuasive Santa Letter: Writing Standards 7.1
*This unit is preparing students to do a larger research-based argumentative project in January.

1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible
sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented


7.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

7.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed



Utah-in-the-News: Writing Standards 7.2
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information
through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.


7.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

7.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed


*Each of the above also cover items in Speaking & Listening (7.1-7.6)
For a full listing of all Core Standards upon which our curriculum is based, see www.corestandards.org