Common Core in grade four: ‘teaching children how to think’

Implementation of the Common Core initiative was again a topic for discussion at the Riverhead Board of Education meeting last night, where Phillips Avenue Elementary School principal Debra Rodgers explained the curriculum shifts taking place in fourth grade English Language Arts and math.

In ELA, Rodgers said, students are taught to do close readings of texts, develop a deeper understanding of what they read and internalize the material, and defend statements they make about what they read. Students write directly from sources and exchange compliments and constructive feedback with each other in a collaborative environment.

“We’re teaching children how to think,” she said.

Math instruction features an emphasis on fluency in simple calculations and teaches for a deeper understanding of mathematical principles, Rodgers said. An important element is synergy between math and science, and students are encouraged to make connections between the subjects, she said.

Rodgers said the idea is to get students to truly understand what they are doing and why they are doing it, rather than simply arriving at solutions to equations. She said many parents are witnessing their children struggling with the shifts as they stumble over things they haven’t learned adequately in previous years. She said communication with teachers should not be overlooked when things get frustrating.

“If they’re not getting it at home, if it’s becoming arduous for you or it’s becoming a task as opposed to practice, then write the teacher a note, ‘They’re having difficulty with this.’ It may be with your input that the teacher’s noticing it’s something they need to re-teach in the classroom,” Rodgers said.

Trustee Amelia Lantz said she is concerned about the difficulty students at the fourth-grade level are having because of shifts to modules that don’t align with past lessons, and the stress it places on them and their parents.

“How long is it going to take for this to gel and these kids to feel adequate?” she asked.

“I think it boils down to communication,” Rodgers said. She reiterated her point about sending a note to a teacher when things get too frustrating, but said she can’t answer for when the curriculum issues will be resolved.

Teachers union vice-president Gary Karlson urged the board to consider how the district can be more supportive of parents and students as they and their teachers struggle with shifts that critics say are happening too fast.

“I’m going to ask that we maybe craft a homework statement,” Karlson said, citing another district’s issuance of a statement offering parents guidance on how to approach assignments that are too frustrating.

“We don’t want to send home 1,000 little ambassadors if we can point them in the right direction.”

Among the resolutions approved by the board last night were measures:

– requiring all teaching assistants to enroll in a direct deposit program for the purpose of saving money on payroll costs. It also voted to restructure those employees’ flexible benefit plans so employees can choose how much they contribute.

– establishing April 8 as budget vote dates for Riverhead Free Library and Baiting Hollow Free Library. Voting will take place at Riverhead Free Library between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

– awarding a contract for director of school health services/school physician to PBMC Medical Group of Riverhead for an initial term of Dec. 11, 2013 through June 30, 2014, with the option to extend the contract for two additional one-year periods.

– approving the probationary appointment of Jennifer McCarthy to a new special education teacher position established at Riley Avenue Elementary School for the period Dec. 2, 2013 to Dec. 1, 2016.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Micah Danney