The Common Core State Standards & My Classroom

Last week I attended a math pilot training for the Common Core State Standards.  I knew a little about these new standards before the training (and I know I still have a lot to learn), but I am so excited about them now.  I know that this will be great for our students once we get everything put into place and we all have time to get acclimated to the new standards.

I am looking forward to re-doing my curriculum and finding ways to incorporate technology into the new standards.  I had already vowed to do things differently in my classroom this year, but now I feel like I have been validated in my ideas.  I was pleasantly surprised to realize how much my ideal teaching style matches the mathematical practice aspect of the common core state standards. 

  I am not waiting around for the real training to happen before I start implementing these new standards; I am getting the change started in my own classroom as well as my school.  I am lucky to work for administrators that believe in me, trust my professional opinion, and support me in my endeavors.  We have already met about the training and have decided what our first action steps will be: get others on board with the practice standards immediately, get the curriculum lined up and ready to implement the common core state standards next year, and discover what gaps will need to be filled during the transition years.  At the pilot training, I met some great math teachers and school leaders that I have added to my professional learning network.  I will definitely use them and my administrators to make this adventure better for my students.