-By Matthew Massey
How
are the new Common Core Standards going to change my mathematics
classroom? This is a question that I struggled with for months. It
took a while for me to even figure out what the heck these new standards
meant! While I was focused on the “Content Standards” I finally realized
the key is the “Practice Standards.” These eight standards are the
same for grades K-12. Their center is a student-focused classroom, built
on students uncovering mathematical concepts. The teacher is not the
focus. The teacher is there to guide students as they travel down the
conceptual paths. I finally figured out the CCS is not just about what to
teach, but how to teach.
I
designed a rubric (will be linked under CC resources soon) for teachers to self-evaluate implementation
of the Common Core ideals specified in the Practice Standards. I have
evaluated myself and been evaluated by peers, and each time I learned ways in
which I can do better.
I
do not think it is possible to implement the Common Core Standards and ideals
without rigorous self-evaluation. Hopefully, this can help other teachers
implement the Mathematics Practice Standards which is the very fabric of the
Common Core Standards.
