This course is designed to introduce participants to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA-Literacy and the important instructional shifts, including balancing informational and literary text, building knowledge in the disciplines, staircase of complexity, text-based answers, writing from sources, and academic vocabulary. Participants will learn to examine standards closely, to unpack and explore the standards, especially those addressing reading, vocabulary and language, and building background information. In addition they will learn how students can demonstrate mastery of the new standards, how assessments will change, and finally, how technology and media support teaching and learning of these standards. Session outline:

Orientation: Introduction to the Course and Overview to the Standards
Session One: Identifying Standards to Teach
Session Two: Thinking Differently about Assessment
Session Three: Background Knowledge and Academic Vocabulary
Session Four: Selecting and Teaching Literary Texts
Session Five: Selecting and Teaching Informational Texts
Session Six: Incorporating ELA CCSS into the Classroom