One of the highly anticipated topics for this year’s Back to School nights has been about curriculum changes. The new Common Core Curriculum Standards are being implement in 45 states beginning this school year. It represents a paradigm shift that makes parents uncomfortable because it’s a departure from what we used to know. At the same time, the new and rigorous curriculum has been designed to teach our kids about topics in a more in-depth manner for all subjects.
In reading, I’m pleased to see the incorporation of more nonfiction texts as part of Common Core. Fiction is also still a big part of the curriculum but the official addition of more nonfiction provides kids with exposure to text that requires different skills when reading, thinking, and analyzing information in the books.
If the Common Core Curriculum has you concerned, Patrick Daley, Common Core expert and Publisher of Scholastic’s Classroom and Community Group, has 5 great tips on how to support the new curriculum at home.
Talk about books, especially the great ones! The Common Core says children need to read “books worth reading.” We all know that reading ANYTHING is great for kids, but they should be exposed to great writers and challenging content too. Lead by example!
Ask your children questions about what they’re reading. One of the key shifts with the Common Core is its requirement that students (both orally and in writing) cite evidence from the texts they are reading to make an argument. Try asking questions that require your kids to talk about the content of the books they’re reading – like having them give examples for why a favorite character was heroic or clever or forgiving.
Push your kids to read non-fiction. Reading fiction is still a critical and wonderful part of learning to read, but the Common Core elevates the importance of non-fiction, or “informational text,” as the authors of the standards call it. Does your son love gross bugs? Get him a book about cockroach infestations and let him dig deep into a topic that interest him. You might have a future scientist in your house!
Encourage your kids to write, write, write. The Common Core standards emphasize the important link between reading and writing – and writing to persuade by citing evidence is a key 21st Century skill. Encourage your children to keep a journal or blog, or write a letter or e-mail to a favorite author.
“Talk math” with your kids. The Common Core requires students to learn important math “reasoning” skills in addition to learning their multiplication tables and memorizing formulas. Great math teachers learn to talk through math problems with students. Parents: Try talking to your kids about mathematical practices they use everyday. Have them estimate time and distance, compare the value of products in a store, or calculate the tip when you’re out to dinner.
Scholastic wants to help increase your at-home nonfiction library and is providing a custom nonfiction book pack giveaway tailored to your child’s age and reading level. Enter below.
And here’s a sneak peek at new nonfiction titles coming from Scholastic this fall! Perhaps these could be in your prize pack if you win!
Tips by Patrick Daley provided by Scholastic. No compensation was received for this post or hosting the giveaway. I just happen to love Scholastic and books! Images courtesy of Common Core Curriculum Standards and Scholastic.
My daughter is 11 yo and she is curious about anything related to science (volcanoes, insects).
Hi Tabathia! We were just at the library today and our kids picked out books on volcanoes, insects, and rocks & gems! Certainly great topics for any age!
My little one is 5 and he is curious about the world around him ~ mostly nature.
Hi Susan! Is there any particular topic in nature he is curious about?
My daughter is 12 and she is interested in anything to do with animals, the environment and storms.
When it comes to getting my kids to talk about what they are reading- it helps that I often have read the books first, so that we can really discuss them. I might ask what they thought about something a character did or about something that might have happened to a character.
Hi April! I couldn’t agree with you more! Reading together is a great way to open up conversations about the book. What are some of your favorite books that you’ve read?
My son is 8 and he is very interested in the planets and space in general. Thanks for the chance!
My conversation starter is often to ask what my son thinks will happen next (after the story in the book)
That’s a great conversation starter since it’s so open ended! Thanks for sharing and good luck!
My son is 5 and he likes anything to do with animals
My son can’t read by himself yet, but after we read together I usually ask what his favorite part was, and discuss the book that way
That’s always a great way to start a conversation about books! Thanks for sharing!
My sons are 9 and almost 8. My oldest son is a history buff and he loves reading about other countries and cultures. My younger son is into sports right now and yesterday he was very excited to read a book about golf! Hahaha! I didn’t think reading about golf was that exciting but he was very interested. My daughter is 3 and she loves any book with pictures of animals in it.
My kids are always very excited to tell me about the books they got from the school library. I always ask them why they chose the particular books they chose and this starts a conversation on the subject.
My sons are 3 and 5. They love talking about animals.
my son is 6 and is curious abt weather! thanks!
My daughter is 12 and is interested in Science, esp. the Human Body.
My son is 3 and likes firetrucks, trains, etc. and animals
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My granddaughter is 3 years old and she loves learning about animals.
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My granddaughter isn’t reading just yet but she is very interested in learning so we have been teaching her as we read to her. Right now she has a stack of books and wants more each time we go to the book store 🙂
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My son loves to explain the scenes in the books he is reading so I just ask what is going on in the book.
I’ve been surprised at some of the negative reactions to common core. My oldest daughter, Beezus, was in first grade last year and her class used common core in math. I LOVED it – I really thought that she grasped the concepts and when she missed 4 days of school due to an illness she was able to catch up relatively easily.
With families being more transient these days, I also hope it will make for easier transitions when kids change schools mid-year.