Common Core Sense

Since the introduction of Common Core State Standards, many elementary teachers struggled with unpacking these processes and figuring out how to implement them in the classroom. Author Christine Moynihan introduces Common Core Sense: Tapping the Power of Mathematical Practices with the goal of making the eight Standards for Mathematical Practice more accessible and explicit.

The Standards for Mathematical Practice provide a solid foundation for encouraging students to think, reason, and persevere like mathematicians. In her book, Moynihan demonstrates what each practice might look, sound, and feel like in the classroom by using the four-part GOLD framework:

G - Go for the Goals: What are the major purposes of this practice?
O – Open Your Eyes & Observe: What should you see the students doing as they utilize the practice? What should you see yourself doing as the teacher?
L – Listen: What should you hear students saying as they use the practice? What should you hear yourself saying?
D – Decide What to Do: What actions as a teacher must you put in to place to “mine” the gold of the practice?

Each chapter is dedicated to one practice and includes student work samples, classroom vignettes, and teacher thoughts. The consistent framework of the book outlines an easy way to learn and deepen the understanding of each practice. It provides teachers the planning and support they need to mine the GOLD.