Pacing the Common Core


This year we are fully implementing the Common Core in kindergarten.  As with all new things, there has been a bit of a learning curve.  

I am a Whole-Part-Whole type of teacher and learner.  I like to see the big picture. I, then, like to chunk my teaching into comprehensible parts for my students and me.  I find that is is important for accountability, progress monitoring and creating benchmarks of learning.  For the last two years, we have used ESGI to help us with progress monitoring and assessments of learning.  

Currently, our school uses Curriculum Maps to guide our instruction and planning.  These Curriculum Maps are basically a scope and sequence of what chapter we are teaching of our required textbooks and which CA standard that it teaches.

What I have discovered is that I like to have the Common Core Standards mapped out as well. So that, at a glance, I can tell how the standard is taught.

I created these Pacing Guides to help me.    

Sample Math Pacing Guide

The Guide is paced for our three trimesters.  As a team, we decided on our expectations for each trimester. From there, we can create our lessons and assessments.  All of which are important because we will be using a Common Core report card for the remainder of the year.

What might this look like in January?
Our Math Work Stations  will be similar to last year since these all are Common Core aligned.

A new math routine will be to learn to count to 100 using this song from Mark D. Pencil and video by Harry Kindergarten.

We will work on writing numerals and counting in meaningful ways embedding the Base 10 system whenever possible.

We will collect objects and group them in tens so that students understand what is a ten.  I envision groups of 10s of snowflakes, hearts, shamrocks, etc.

My hope is that by pacing the Common Core standards, I am able to plan and teach accordingly. I'd love to hear your thoughts.


How has your school or district paced the Common Core?  Is this teacher driven?  Have you had training on the Common Core? Do you find the standards easy or difficult to interpret and assess?

Please share.


Happy Teaching!
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14 comments

  1. I like your pacing guide example! Ours isn't nearly as clear as yours...but common core math is new to us this year...and I am not entirely vested since I am only in K this year.
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

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  2. I like your pacing guide, I would love to see the whole thing. What math series are you using? I am using Go Math, and having a VERY hard time with it, I think it is just going too fast, and the material is so over my kinder's heads, I feel completely frustrated with the program :(

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    1. We use Harcourt but it is not Common Core aligned. We teach many of the chapters and embed the Common Core if we can. Often, I find myself creating lessons which I don't mind.

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  3. We are starting with the Iowa CC also but I teach 1st grade. Would like to know more about the pacing guide with maybe 1st grade teachers there is possible.

    I would also like to know more about your post on QR codes. You wrote: This week, I taught my students about QR codes and how to use them as part of our Word Work. First, I showed some advertisements that I collected to show the real world application of their use. Then, I modeled them how to scan the code using my iPhone.
    Would you be willing to share what you used with your kids on the advertisements, & how to get them started? I have gotten a few from other teachers, but not sure how to make my own & ideas for use. I would love to know more about it.
    Thanks, Jackie
    jackie@acsnet.com

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  4. I am also hoping to see more of your pacing guide that you set up! My district uses Harcourt as well. We skip around a bit to make it work. Will you be putting up more of the pacing guides?

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  5. Love the pacing guide example! Texas hasn't adopted Common Core yet, but I'm hoping we do in the next couple of years. I need to see it all mapped out too!

    Rowdy in First Grade

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  6. I also love your pacing guide. Would you consider putting it on TpT? I think there are lots of us who could use the help and structure of your aldready done hard work.
    Please think about it. I know I would be very grateful! Love following your blog.
    Terry
    Sunnyvale, Ca

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  7. OOPS... feel free to delete that last one, wrong link!! LOL!

    Another fun one--that Harry's Kindergarten put together-- is Let's Get Fit (counting to 100) by Jack Hartmann. Thanks for introducing this new one to us!!
    Karen :o)
    Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten

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  8. Is it possible to get a copy of the common core pacing guide you use for your trimesters? I am the lead Kindergarten teacher and our district hasn't done this yet. It would be nice to see how another district paced the skills. I'm pushing that we do this for all of the common core - math, reading, etc.

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    1. I teach at a single school district, so all the work is done by our team of k teachers. What we have found most helpful are those conversations around the standards. I will be posting more soon. It is a work in progress.

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  9. I would love to purchase your CC pacing guide as well. :)

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  10. Do you have any third grade ELA guides?

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  11. I would love to have a copy of your pacing guide if possible! Thanks

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