Preschool English Language Arts Standards Articulation with Kindergarten ELA Common Co re

1. Preschool English Language Arts Standards Articulation with Kindergarten ELA Common Core “A developmental continuum of standards, curriculum and assessments, extending from the early years into later schooling, can support better transitions from infant/toddler care through preschool programs to kindergarten and into the primary grades as teachers work within a consistent framework across educational settings” National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2011.

2. PK ELA Articulation to K CCSS Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating AchievementCalkins, Ehrenworth, Lehman, 2012; Heineman 2012 • Curmudgeon - See the Obstacles and Barriers • Gold – Or, see the Opportunities

3. PK ELA Articulation to K CCSS Turn to a partner. Take a few minutes and discuss the following… • Are the present preschool standards included in the district ELA standards document? • Are there vertical articulation meetings or PLCs that address the CCSS in your district and is the preschool involved?

4. PK ELA Articulation to K CCSS • Why vertically articulate with K CCSS? • Overall, the preschool program will benefit from being a part of the work of the CCSS • Preschool teachers, administrators and families will have access to the ENTIRE continuum of development for literacy for the young child – 3 years through 8 years with a common language and format • 46 States have adopted the standards and CCSS research and resources will be available to everyone and will continue to grow and develop • Grants and funding streams are requesting evidence from that their program has an articulation to K CCSS • Every state has the same measuring stick

5. Key Takeaways from K-12 ELA CCSS • “Staircase” of increasing complexity with the goal that all children are college and career ready. NJ motto “Prepare students to connect, collaborate and compete in global society” • Clear design, central goals, common language and high standards • Standards are “what” -- districts and states decide on “how” • The CCSS support cross-curricular literacy teaching • The CCSS respect the professional judgment of classroom teachers. All teachers teach reading, writing, speaking, and listening across content areas and determine “how” • Media – skills related to media and technology are integrated throughout in appropriate ways

6. Key Takeaways from K-12 ELA CCSS • Reading - Emphasizes both literature and informational text and at K level equal balance • More emphasis on higher-level comprehension skills • Writing – the CCSS place equal weight on reading and on writing. Writing includes narrative, argument and informational. Narrative writing is emphasized in lower elementary and then tilts towards argument and informational in upper elementary. • Speaking and Listening – the ability to present and comprehend information and ideas working in one-on-one, small-group, and whole group settings • Language – emphasis on vocabulary acquisition through conversations, direct instruction, and reading

7. Role of the NJDOE – DECE • Investigated research and best practice around each standard. Breadth and depth of preschool ELA standards increased but at no time was there any “push down” of inappropriate use of kindergarten teacher practice or kindergarten learner outcomes or skills • Compared and contrasted with other PK standards in other states who have already gone through this process • Created a draft copy • Invited professionals and experts within and outside of the DOE to give comment • Revised as needed • Sent out draft copy to supervisors and master teachers and others for comment • Final revisions and State Board of Education approval

8. Structure and Format PK ELA Standards Articulation to K ELA CCSS • Introduction • Provides common platform and language for PK-3 ELA Standards. K standards are very similar in format but the complexity grows and develops. • Standards are the “what” we want children to know • Inclusion of DAP environments, best practices and a state approved preschool curriculum and assessment model are “MUSTS” for NJ districts receiving preschool education aid and are the “how” of teaching the PK ELA Standards appropriately • PK Standards are expected learner outcomes as they EXIT the four-year old program • Structure and format of standards are similar throughout the CCSS PK-3 http://www.corestandards.org/ Format Questions

9. Structure and Format of PK ELA Standards Articulation to K ELA CCSS Strands (e.g. Reading - Literature ) Sub-Headings (e.g. Key Ideas and Details) Grade Level Standards (e.g. RL.PK.1 )

10. PK ELA Articulation to K CCSS Activity – Similarities and Differences • Choose a recorder and reporter. • Discuss and record the new PK ELA strand your group is investigating • Discuss and record a short summary sentence of the content this strand • Discuss and record one example standard from the strand you have chosen. Record strand, sub-category and standard and accompanying teacher practice. • Locate, discuss, compare and contrast this standard with the similar standard from the standards document we are presently using (2009) • Discuss and record similarities and differences you note between the two

11. Questions or Comments • Please email all feedback to: preschoolstandards@doe.state.nj.us