Differentiated Classrooms

Common Core is an initiative that has been implemented in schools across the nation, and is the curriculum that is being taught to school aged children to the high schools. The goal of Common Core is that each teacher, no matter what state they reside, will have a “clear, understandable, and consistent”(Common Core Website) way to teach to students. Through the standards of Common Core students in each grade level throughout the country are taught a uniform curriculum. While the ideals and goals of Common Core seem great on paper they have failed to be implemented in a proper way to actually have use to the students under their restrictions and requirements.

Launched in 2009, the Common Core state standards have done nothing to help students progress their learning abilities, and have even harmed their ability to be educated. With Common Core, teachers must follow strict guidelines on what to teach and how to teach it, but this one-size-fits-all ideal does not apply to the real world. Former teacher, Susan Rakow,

To help students learn and prepare for their future there has been a new set of standards implemented, in most states. These new set of standards were created because students seem to be lacking specific skills most colleges and careers acquire. The Common Core State Standards is a rigorous set of standards, that even though it is a bit beneficial for students, it also has a few complications that it still has to fix.

Common Core State Standards, often referred to as the Common Core, are requirements in English and Mathematics in grades kindergarten through twelve. Specific focus is on critical thinking and problem solving skills. The Common Core was formed through a joint initiative by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association. To better prepare students for college courses, the standards are implemented in forty-five states and the District of Columbia. Concerns of American schoolchildren, like lacking focus, have shown that students are not learning skills to be used in the general workforce. An accountability system of the Common Core is based on the success of academic standards, advancement of tests based on

Common core standards were developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Standards were developed with input from educators and administrators from around the country. The standards focus on English Language Arts and Mathematics, but standards span across other core subjects taught in public schools from kindergarten to 12th grade (Chen, 2017). There are even common core standards now in place for pre-kindergarten instruction to ensure every student is fully prepared to enter public school (Chen, 2017).

Common core, also known as educational standards, was made by a group of people in 2009. The group included some from the University of Arizona, such as David Coleman, William McCallum, and Phil Daro. In the group some were the Student Achievement Partners Founders, Jason Zimba and Susan Pimentel. Together these five developed the standards. According to Common_Core_State_Standards_Initiative, Common Core is an “educational initiative in the U.S that details what k-12 students should know in English, Language Arts, and Mathematics at the end of each grade.” Therefore we should not blame

Common Core gives students a deep dive into focusing on their education. “ The Common Core Standards assessments will allow teachers to monitor students progress throughout the year. The assessments will have optional pre-test and progress monitoring tools that teachers can use to find out what a student knows, where they are going, and to figure out a plan to get them where they need to be”( Pros and Cons of the Common Core Standards p1). “ When students can explore a concept and really immerse themselves in the content, they emerge with a full understanding that lasts well beyond testing season” (Six Ways Common Core is Good For Students p1) says Kisha Davis Caldwell, a fourth grade teacher at a Maryland elementary school. The standards for common core include, “Research, evidence based, clear, understandable, consistent, college and career expectations, and an application of knowledge through higher order thinking skills” ( Common Core State Initiative p1). These are some ways Common Core is proven to help students

In the article, Bringing Common Sense to Common Core, summarizes, the standards of success in helping children achieve their education. When teaching and helping the child you want to make sure each child is at the same playing field as other students to reach their particular goal or dreams. When it comes to the Common Core Standards we want to make sure they are taught correctly and achieve the child’s learning and future. Common Core Standards are taught across the world, and ensure ways that support the teachers, and that the teachers teach the needed skills and content needed to be met. Particular standards on the Common Core are set higher on students, which include; information already needed to be known from high school that

Common Core had great goals for the benefit of all children in the United States. It was intended to be a “common standard for all children. First off, every state was supposed to have the same standards

The common core is standards in Math and English language arts/ literacy. It helps students’ get a deeper understanding of the key concepts for students to succeed as independent thinkers. The common core allows teachers to adjust their lesson to fit the needs of their students. This is done while keeping the students in line with other students from different states. The Common Core encourage skills of critical thinking and problem-solving skills that most colleges and jobs will require of them to

“Common Core State Standards are a focused and challenging set of learning expectations that educators can interpret and implement locally through the curriculum, programs, and teaching methods they decide are best suited to their students.” (p.4)

Nearly all can agree that in education a national set of standards is necessary for this country. This is not the first time in history that America’s educational principles have been up for debate. The basic idea of common core is to prepare students for responsibility as a citizen in this society. Students must be able to read and distill complex sentences and must be equipped with basic mathematical skills. The actual impact the standards will have on education will not be revealed for several years, however it is thought that implementing a national set of standards will nothing

According to a new analysis of national test scores by the Brookings Institution’s Brown Center on Education Policy, The common core’s impact on student achievement may have peaked early and already diminished. In 2010 the common core standards were adopted by most states, although some schools may not have practiced teaching to the standards right away. These high-quality standards in math, English language arts and literacy were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with readiness and knowledge necessary to be successful in college, career, and in life.

Compared to traditional classrooms, differentiated instruction considers the diversity of all learners, utilizes assessments to design instruction, and utilizes their learning style and interest during lessons. Differentiation methods may include learning contracts, tiered activities, and choice boards (Tomlinson, 2001). Recently, I observed a teacher include differentiation within her lesson. The strategy used was to allow students to pick one of two books to read. Initially, the class had been assigned to read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. However, as the class progressed through the reading activity some students struggled with reading the book. As a result, the teacher introduced an alternate book, Among the Hidden that students

This literature review serves to provide readers with information regarding the influence differentiated instructional strategies have on ELLs. This close examination of the research will help to inform educators ragarding their pedagogical practices by providing teachers