Inside the Common Core Classroom: Practical Ela Strategies for Grades 3-5

Pearson’s definitive new series on the Common Core State Standards has been written to support the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts in K–12 classrooms. Volumes in the series address the Common Core in grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. The purpose of the series is to help teachers create connections between the Standards and their school curriculums. Each book includes in-depth information about the Common Core at a particular grade level band and examples of a variety of teaching ideas to support students' meeting the expectations of the ELA Standards.

Inside the Common Core Classroom: Practical ELA Strategies for Grades 3-5 presents common sense explanations and research-based teaching ideas that integrate the Common Core Standards with the best teaching practices in the critical English language arts areas of comprehension and close reading of literature and informational texts, foundational skills, vocabulary, text complexity, writing, and speaking and listening. Designed specifically for teachers of the pivotal third, fourth, and fifth grades, it includes suggestions for instruction and assessment, scenarios from real classrooms where the standards are being implemented every day, examples of authentic student work, and tips from expert teachers that bring the standards to life. In addition, the text helps readers to understand the standards’ implications for curriculum planning, learn practical ways to integrate them into content area instruction, and gain access to key resources for easing the transition to current ELA instruction.

An indispensable resource for all who teach in grades three through five, as well as curriculum directors, reading specialists, literacy coaches, and school administrators, this ready-to-use, easy-to-understand resource:

• A wealth of information to clarify instruction aligned to the standards—plus suggestions for instruction and assessment.
• A look at the standards in action in actual classrooms.
• Practical, ready-to-use guidance for making the standards an everyday part of teaching and learning.

Brenda J. Overturf, Ed.D. is a former member of the International Reading Association Board of Directors and current co-chair of the IRA Common Core Standards Committee. She was a classroom teacher for 18 years before serving as coordinator of Reading Curriculum and Assessment for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY. Brenda also taught literacy courses and chaired the M.Ed. in Reading program at the University of Louisville. While at U of L, she directed the K-5 Kentucky Reading Project, the Adolescent Literacy Coaching Project, and was a partner in the Kentucky Striving Readers grant.

I would strongly recommend this book for beginning teachers who are doing their practicum or student teaching as well as for administrators, resource teachers, and department chairs. The information provided here could be used to generate professional development activities and collaborative planning sessions that would help practicing teachers think deeply about what students will be accountable for at the end of their current grade level.

This text takes the time to unpack the new standards and clearly explain in detail what they mean for third, fourth, and fifth grade students and teachers.  Certain chapters provide examples of strategies and activities that can be applied in the classroom immediately, and teachers can be confident that the information provided is evidence-based and classroom-tested. -- Janine Jackson, Lafayette Elementary School (DC)

Inside the Common Core Classroom: Practical ELA Strategies for Grades 3-5 puts a fresh coat of paint on standard language arts teaching. The material is very up-to-date, and it is filled with plenty of modern teaching strategies that go beyond traditional teaching and help students “own their learning.” This book is clear and readable, comprehensive, and appealing to both new teachers and seasoned ones.

Overturf clearly knows what good language arts instruction looks like in an elementary classroom. -- Ryan Murray, Greenbrier Elementary (IL)

MARKET: For classroom teachers, literacy coaches, reading specialists, staff development coordinators or directors, teacher educators

An indispensable guide for all who teach in grades three through five, as well as curriculum directors, reading specialists, literacy coaches, and school administrators, Inside the Common Core Classroom: Practical ELA Strategies for Grades 3-5  presents research-based teaching ideas that integrate the Common Core Standards with the best teaching practices in the critical English language arts areas. Designed specifically for teachers of the pivotal third, fourth, and fifth grades, it includes suggestions for instruction and assessment, scenarios from real classrooms where the standards are being implemented every day, examples of authentic student work, and tips from expert teachers that bring the standards to life.

Brenda J. Overturf, Ed.D. is a former member of the International Reading Association Board of Directors and current co-chair of the IRA Common Core Standards Committee. She was a classroom teacher for 18 years before serving as coordinator of Reading Curriculum and Assessment for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY. Brenda also taught literacy courses and chaired the M.Ed. in Reading program at the University of Louisville. While at U of L, she directed the K-5 Kentucky Reading Project, the Adolescent Literacy Coaching Project, and was a partner in the Kentucky Striving Readers grant. Brenda’s most recent publications are The Common Core: Teaching K–5 Students to Meet the Reading Standards (IRA, 2013), The Common Core: Teaching Students in Grades 6–12 to Meet the Reading Standards (IRA, 2013), The Common Core: Graphic Organizers for Teaching K–12 Students to Meet the Reading Standards (IRA, 2013), and Word Nerds: Teaching All Students to Learn and Love Vocabulary (Stenhouse, 2013).

Brief Table of Contents

Chapter 1         The Common Core in Grades 3-5

Chapter 2         Comprehension

Chapter 3         Vocabulary

Chapter 4         Text Complexity

Chapter 5         Writing

Chapter 6         Speaking and Listening

Chapter 7         Curriculum Implications

Chapter 8         Thematic Unit: Rock Stars of the Sky!