Common Core Standards

     This past week I attended a workshop that was about the common core standards here at Iowa and across the United States.  It was very interesting to listen to because it gave me a better idea as to what standards I will have to follow as a teacher and to just get more information about what the standards are for each subject.  This year was the first time I actually dug a little deeper into the standards and started to fully understand what they mean and what teachers have to follow when they are teaching.  After reviewing their website and listening to the workshop, I have a few general opinions of my own regarding the standards.  I think it is an effective way to have common standards across states because it does keep the states unified as to what we are teaching our children and it helps if a student moves from one state to another they will not be that far behind because of the common core standards.  This website provided several examples as to how the standards were divided for example they are divided into discipline and grade level.  I really liked looking at both the different categories because the discipline provides a basic break down of what the standards are overall and what the teacher needs to cover in math, science and english. I really liked looking at the division by grade standards because they were divided into what each grade should cover with what area of subject the standards need to be under.  For example under third grade for physical science the students need to be able to understand how to apply knowledge of the concept of conservation of mass and matter.  That is just one example of one concept that needs to be covered in grades 3rd through 5th.  I think the division of grades and standards is really helpful to the teacher to be able to see what they are suppose to teach and so the teachers know their focus for the units.  I would also be a little worried because if a teacher just teaches off of standards and what has to be taught, creativity and being original might be lost.  As a teacher it is very important to have creativity and bring to the class your own individuality and have fun with the kids.
   Another interesting fact that I learned when I went to the workshop this year is that the tests such as the standardized tests are going to be completely different in the upcoming years.  The test makers want to make the tests computer adapted and tests on the computer.  I think this test will help students because it will be more active by having a recorder read the student a little piece of the article and then answer questions when it is over and several other examples.  I think these test will help the students learn better and show the teachers which student needs more help.  Overall I feel that these standards will provide several positive benefits for states and will help create a baseline for what curriculum each state should be focusing on and unify the nation.