Common Core is coming! We've been hearing this for at least the past year. In just a few months, we will be embarking on our first year of implementation. In conjunction with Common Core Standards, we also have Information and Technology Essential Standards (ITES) to squeeze in as well. The good news is that "squeezing them in" might be easier than we think and it won't even look like we're just throwing them in here and there. With the connections and commonalities between the two, they can easily work together. Looking a little closer at Language Arts - Grade 6, we can discuss this idea.
One of the first things I noticed is the use of the verbs in the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy in both sets of standards. Students will be expected to apply, organize, analyze and create (to name a few). Helping students understand what these verbs mean and put them into practice will address both sets of standards.
Additionally, the writing standards are a perfect place to use the ITES as support. Some of the direct overlap lies in using credible sources to support claims when writing. Students are expected to analyze resources for their reliability (6.SI.1.1) as part of ITES, so this goes hand in hand. The research component embedded in the writing standards requires students to gather relevant information from multiple sources and present the information while avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to sources. This in itself incorporates all four strands of the ITES - Sources of Information, Technology as a Tool, Research Process and Safety and Ethical Issues. Even in the Speaking and Listening standards, there is commonality. Students are expected to include multimedia components in presentations. This fits right along with using technology to share information (6.TT.1) from the ITES as well as applying responsible behaviors when using information and technology resources (6.SE.1). So, the way I see it, it would be difficult to follow the Common Core Standards without also incorporating the Information and Technology Essential Standards. In fact, let the ITES give life to some of those potentially boring Common Core Standards!
