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Learning Standards and Guidelines > English Language Arts > Content Strands > Getting Started

CCSS ELA: Getting Started

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Before you even look at the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, you should study the information presented in Appendix A.  This is critical information for interpreting and implementing the standards.  For each of the guided study exercises, you will have pre-reading directions with a suggestion for text annotation.  You will also find directions for an activity to help you process and document your learning. 

The activities are designed to be fairly brief, each taking 20 to 30 minutes to complete.  They will also provide you materials for a portfolio if you would like to start a CCSS implementation collection.  Information and professional development activities provide throughout the modules all assume that you are familiar with the information in Appendix A. 

Once you complete your study, we suggest you begin your unpacking and alignment with reading, Standard 10.  This one must be implemented correctly as it so profoundly affects the rest.  Reading standards 1-9 should be considered with the six standards in the language strand as these are intended to be paired with or embedded in the instruction of each of the other strands.  You should also get familiar with Appendix B and the Student Performance Tasks found there.

Moving to the writing strand, we suggest also beginning with standard 10 as well.  As you unpack 1-9, look again to the language strand to embed instruction and inform rubric development.  Use Appendix C as a guide to consider student examples of the writing standards in action.

Speaking and Listening has only six standards, three for each area.  These should also be considered with the language standards.  Check our website frequently as we add new information and tools often. 

 

 

Organization of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

View or download a PDF version of this information.

 

The Standards, by “strand”. Find K-5 as a whole followed by 6-12.

I. Reading

a. K-5

i. K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

ii. Foundational skills

b. 6-12

i. 6, 7, 8, 9/10, 11/12

ii. History, Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects: 6-8, 9/10, 11/12

II. Writing

a. K-5

i. K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

b. 6-12

i. 6, 7, 8, 9/10, 11/12

ii. History, Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects: 6-8, 9/10, 11/12

III. Speaking and Listening

a. K-5

i. K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

b. 6-12

i. 6, 7, 8, 9/10, 11/12

V. Language

a. K-5

i. K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

b. 6-12

i. 6, 7, 8, 9/10, 11/12

 

Appendix A: Read before the standards as this provides much clarifying information.

  • Complexity
  • Foundational Skills
  • Writing genres (text types)
  • Listening
  • Conventions and progressive development
  • Bibliographies
  • Glossary

 

Appendix B: Provides examples of complexity consistent with information in Appendix A.

Sample texts, by grade span

K/1, 2/3, 4/5, 6-8, 9/10, 11/12

History, Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects: 6-8, 9/10, 11/12

Sample Student Performance Tasks follow each text type and provide examples of instructional rigor for reading standards.

 

Appendix C

Samples student works, each grade, variety of types of writing.