Teaching to Exceed the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards: A Critical Inquiry Approach for 6-12 Classrooms

by Richard W. Beach, Amanda Haertling Thein, Allen Webb

Timely, thoughtful, and comprehensive, this text directly supports pre-service and in-service teachers in developing curriculum and instruction that both addresses and exceeds the requirements of the Common Core State Standards. Adopting a critical inquiry approach, it demonstrates how the Standards highest and best intentions for student success can be implemented from a critical, culturally relevant perspective firmly grounded in current literacy learning theory and research. It provides specific examples of teachers using the critical inquiry curriculum framework of identifying problems and issues, adopting alternative perspectives, and entertaining change in their classrooms to illustrate how the limitations of the Standards can not only be addressed but also surpassed through engaging instruction.

The Second Edition provides new material on

adopting a critical inquiry approach to enhance student engagement and critical thinking

planning instruction to effectively implement the CCSS in the classroom

fostering critical response to literature and informational texts

using YA literature and literature by authors of color

integrating drama activities in the literature and speaking/listening instruction

teaching information, explanatory, argumentative, and narrative writing

working with ELL students to address the language standards

using digital tools and apps to respond to and create digital texts

employing formative assessment to provide supportive feedback

preparing students for the PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments

using the book s wiki site http: //englishccss.pbworks.com for further resources





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Genres: Education

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[James (JD) Dittes · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Teaching to Exceed" is a worthy goal for any class or book. While I felt that the book was targeted to a methods class, I read it as an experienced teacher, hoping to be a step ahead as Common Core is implemented in my state.

I feel that it is better read to complement a strong understanding of Common Core. I found many of the chapters more rewarding after I was further along the Common Core route than I had been when I read them initially.

The best idea I took from Teaching to Exceed... was the idea of "framing." I actually tried this in two units this semester, and I found the students better prepared both to learn and to think that in previous experiences with the same topics.

My only critique of the book was that some of it was too research-based. The chapter on teaching Language is theoretical, and a wash considering how much language is still required on ACT and state tests. Again, this is probably because this book, improperly timed, might seem more like icing than cake; more cart than horse.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beach, Thein & Webb offer lots of useful information to preservice teachers just entering the classroom; I can easily see this text serving as an anchor for a methods class. The stated emphasis on the CCSS is a bit misleading, though, in that any reference to the CCSS could be eliminated and the text would read the same. Perhaps that's a positive: with or without the CCSS, the authors are offering solid advice on how to approach the ELA classroom. However, with all the fuss about CCSS, readers are likely to expect a more direct breakdown of the standards and how they alter and/or reframe the teaching of English. As with most ELA texts, I would use a chapter with PSTs rather than the whole text.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the unexpected pleasure of Richard Beach placing this text in my hands at UW Eau Claire's reading research symposium in June and am forever grateful---