Last year I was part of a small focus group in my county about adopting the Common Core Standards. This year the entire district is giving the new standards a go and I am excited about our progress! I am excited to read this as a resource for the roll out!
I am participating in a book study with several other wonderful bloggers. We are studying the book Common Core Curriculum Maps: English Language Arts. I am one of the later posts in the book study so make sure to click through and check out the other posts for fabulous freebies!
On Tuesday, Yvonne from Sassy in Second did an overview of the book as well as the
second grade curriculum maps. Be sure to view her overview here!
On Wednesday, Jenn from Best Practices 4 Teaching blogged about Grade 2, Unit 1. The
theme for that unit was A Season for Chapters. Check it out here!
On Thursday, Michelle from Teach123 blogged
about Unit 2, The Wild West. Check it out here!
On Friday, Sally at Elementary Matters blogged about Unit 3, Building Bridges with unlikely Friends. Check it out here!
Now it is my turn!
I am focusing on Unit Four which is called A Long Journey to Freedom. This unit focuses on the struggle for racial equality in the United States spotlighting different people and events from the 1800’s until the 1960s. Here is the unit Essential Question:
and the focus standards are
RL.2.6. Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.
RI.2.3. Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
RI.2.9. Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.
W.2.1. Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
W.2.3. Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.
W.2.6. With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
One of the activities mentioned in the book was a reading of the poem “Words Like Freedom” by Langston Hughes as an introduction to his life. I loved this idea and personally would use it as an opportunity for a close reading and discussion of the words freedom, liberty, and throw in a little figurative language (heart strings).
Mandy Gregory is a 2007 and 2012 Teacher of the Year. She has taught Kindergarten- 4th grades in both the general education and inclusion settings. She is currently a 1st grade Special Education teacher. She is the owner and creator of Mandy’s Tips for Teachers website (www.mandystipsforteachers.com) and has over 13 years of teaching experience. She is married with two beautiful children.
