Common Core State Standards

With the Common Core State Standards, there is a word that has been used frequently between administration and the districts, which has filtered down to the teachers. This word is rigor. When you think of rigor, you might just think that it is only meant for students in the high abilities category, but it is meant for students in all categories no matter if they have a disability or not. In looking to define rigor, there are many opinions as to what rigor might mean or not mean. Rigor has the possibility to mean creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels. In addition, it can also mean that teaching and learning things more thoroughly---more deeply (Ferlazzo, 2012). One of the ways to think about rigor …show more content…
Because of these standards, teachers are not positive on how to implement the standards and rigor successfully in their classroom. There are five suggestions on how to implement the standards and prepare the students for the rigor. The first way is through engagement. When you have authentic engagement, you are helping students making meaning, solve problems, and find value in daily learning tasks and this is due to the fact that they, as the student, have a desire to make meaning, figure the problem out, and have an interest in the topic. (Neria, 2014). To guarantee that you have authentic engagement, different strategies that teachers can use are connect content with what students enjoy or know, use technology, focus on the student, and enrich the environment for the student (Neria, 2014). The second way to ensure rigor is through encouragement. When you present the students with tangible and emotional encouragement, then we are showing them how to believe in themselves when they are facing a difficulty. The third way is through expectations. When we begin the school year, we state the expectations for our classroom. The Common Core Standards require students to move from a simple thought to a complex thought. In order for the students to do this, then we need to make sure students understand the expectations of the standards that we are covering for the lesson. The fourth way, is through expression. Expression comes from the student and focuses on them discovering information for themselves. The last way is through experience. The experience that is presented is through understanding the academic vocabulary and knowledge that are being presented. Allowing the students to experience this firsthand, allows them to be more successful