This is a really interesting video for discussion. Definitely, you can talk about the tech trends, but then look one step further … how does the video effectively/ineffectively move from the collection of facts to synthesis? What takeaways are implicit/explicit in the video? This could be a really awesome way to jumpstart a conversation about how merely “the collection of superficial facts” (AASL Standards) is a start, but never a finish when we want to communicate information to others.

(Thanks to Margaret Lincoln for the tip)

Hi, y’all —

For the first time ever, the great majority of states have adopted a common vision for the standards students should reach in English Language Arts (including informational text in content areas) and Math. Whether you like it or lump it, agree or disagree with the Standards, it means that the great majority of librarians and educators in this country are facing the implementation of the same thing. And it means that we have the potential for unprecedented levels of sharing and collaboration.

So from time to time, we’ll lasso up some resources here in the Common Corral (Common Core-ral. Get it? Get it? Oh, that librarian humor slays me every time.) that you can share with teachers or others in your community or use in your own libraries to align practice.

And for those of you not subject to Common Core (check out the map here if you’re not sure), we’ll be back in our next post with our regularly-scheduled programming.

Today’s resource comes courtesy of Alice Yucht’s terrific Y’s Guide blog.

Education.com has an easy-to-read two-page article introducing parents to the Common Core Standards and offering simple strategies to help kids prepare.

This gives a really basic overview of what’s changing, testing, and the CCS focus on career and college readiness. So although this link could go in a school newsletter or on a PTA agenda, courtesy of the library, it could be a nice simple introduction for classroom teachers just becoming aware of the changes.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the article:

A Parent’s Guide to the Common Core Standards | Education.com via kwout

Rawhide! (Somehow, I just felt compelled to say that.)

Sylvan Dell Publishing has posted free access to its digital book of Ready, Set, WAIT! … What Animals Do Before a Hurricane. A screenshot is below. This could be an interesting way to talk about the storm in a gentle way with worried younger readers, who might be reassured that the animals know how to get ready in order to stay safe.

The spreads are available in English or Spanish, and English or Spanish audio versions are available. (You’ll have to flip the pages yourself in time with the audio.)

To those of you in the path of the storm, we send our thoughts and best wishes.