As we journey into the Common Core Standards, student proficiency will no longer be assessed solely on an A, B, C, or D response.   This is a powerful new change for us as educators because the new assessments will give us much more information about students’ thinking—but the assessments will also require much deeper understanding from our students.  Are your classrooms ready?

Take a look at this sample assessment question from Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Grade 4 Extended Response Released Item MAT.04.ER.3.000NF.F.210):

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James and Benito each have a bag of pencils. Some pencils are sharpened and some are not.

James’ bag of pencils has:
• A total of 5 pencils
• Exactly 2 sharpened pencils

Benito’s bag of pencils has:
• A total of 10 pencils
• Exactly __ sharpened pencils

Benito has the same fraction of sharpened pencils in his bag as James has in his bag.

Part A
Exactly how many of Benito’s pencils are sharpened?

Part B
Draw pictures of the pencils in James’ bag and the pencils in Benito’s bag. Use numbers to show the fractions of sharpened and unsharpened pencils in each bag.

Part C
Benito’s bag has a total of 10 pencils inside, and James’ bag has a total of 5 pencils inside. How can the fraction of sharpened pencils in James’ bag be the same as the fraction of sharpened pencils in Benito’s bag, even though they have a different number of pencils? Explain your answer using both numbers and words.
 

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Questions to consider for this new type of assessment are shared below:

• What type of thinking does this assessment require of students?
• What mathematical content does this assess?
• Can students explain and critique mathematical reasoning?

It’s no longer enough for students to be able to compute the fraction of pencils in the bag.  The new standards require students to understand not only what the correct answer is, but also how the answer can be derived and why the solution works.

ERG can help your teachers develop mathematicians in their classrooms.  Our newest service supports teachers as they create classrooms rich with student- led discussions, great tasks, and mathematical reasoning and collaboration.  To learn more about ERG’s job embedded staff development process, contact Alice Oakley at 866.725.8121.

It is an exciting time in education! The new Common Core Standards have educators “on their toes” and this is fertile ground for us to learn professionally.  ERG has been working for over a year to get ready to support schools with CCS and we are ready, willing and able!

If you haven’t noticed already, mathematics is going to need a makeover. The new performance-based math assessments will require learners to apply concepts, read, and write instead of memorizing everything! The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge necessary for our students to be competitive in the 21st century work world. Rather than math skill and drill experiences, students will be asked to apply math knowledge in a broader, real world context.
 

Teachers are currently learning WHAT Common Core Standards are all about. ERG Consultants are ready to support mathematic teachers K-8 with HOW to teach the standards. Our job embedded process and model lessons allow teachers to see what CCS lessons look and sound like in the context of their own classrooms - no substitutes needed!

We hope to hear from you!

ERG celebrated its 8th birthday on September 1.  Thanks to all of the educators who have allowed us to grow and celebrate another year.

We are excited about many more great years!