SMUSD Elementary School Teachers Receive Common Core Training

All San Marino Unified School District elementary school teachers recently participated in a full-day workshop titled, "Awakening the Common Core from Within" -- a workshop geared toward effectively implementing the Common Core State Standards at each school.

The CCSS is a nationwide effort to ensure that all of our students have the skills necessary to succeed in a global economy. Since 2010, 45 states have adopted the same standards for English and mathematics. Having the same standards ensures that all students have access to an outstanding and consistent education. Teachers, parents, and education experts designed the CCSS to prepare students for success in college and the workplace.

The workshop at Carver Elementary was led by Ms. Shervaughnna Anderson-Demiraz, Co-Director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA's Center X. Anderson-Demiraz shared her extensive experience and knowledge as a former Los Angeles County Office of Education K-12 English Language Arts Consultant, and worked with the teachers on how to effectively implement the six major shifts in English-Language Arts/Literacy. 

These six shifts include:

• Shift 1:  Balancing Informational and Literacy Text - Students read a true balance of informational and literacy texts.
• Shift 2:  Knowledge in the Disciplines - Students build knowledge about the world (domains/content areas) through TEXT rather than the teacher or activities.
• Shift 3:  Staircase of Complexity - Students read the central, grade appropriate text around which instruction is centered.  Teachers are patient, create more time and space and support in the curriculum for close reading.
• Shift 4: Text-based Answers - Students engage in rich and rigorous evidence based conversations about text.
• Shift 5:  Writing from Sources - Writing emphasizes use of evidence from sources to inform or make an argument.
• Shift 6:  Academic Vocabulary - Students constantly build the transferable vocabulary they need to access grade level complex tests. This can be done effectively by spiraling like content in increasingly complex texts.

Anderson-Demiraz also engaged the teachers to improve their literacy instruction and on developing deep student understandings of academic content. She will be working with the district's elementary teachers in future workshops. 

If parents or community members have any comments or questions regarding the district's professional development days or the CCSS, please contact Dr. Gary McGuigan (Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services) at 299-7000 x-320.