Welcome to our Math and Reading site! This is site is dedicated to parents in helping them understand what their children are learning. How students are taught is definitely different since we were in elementary school. Part of our job is to try to help parents understand the methods being taught so that they help their children learn. Teachers, students, parents: we are all in this together!

What is PA Core?

The PA Common Core standards are closely aligned with the National Common Core (about 85%), with a few adjustments made to better fit the needs of Pennsylvania students. Standards are nothing more then a set of goals for students to achieve by the end of their school year. They are not a curriculum nor do they dictate how teachers must teach in the classroom. Teachers still have the ability to choose strategies that work with their specific students and the choice of curriculum materials used is still given to each local school district.

Before PA adopted the National Common Core, they had a set of high-quality standards in place. It did not take much adjustment to align with the National Common Core. In Math, there will be more emphasis on the “Focus” of mathematical algorithms, “Coherence” of topics within the grade level and “Rigor.”

Focus, in the classroom looks like a student being able to think about explanations given for answers and deciding to agree or disagree with a logical argument. Coherence addresses the need for skills to be mastered before moving on to the next skill. Rigor is the hard work and practice required to make the concept fluent.

- from The Teacher's Academy, http://www.theteachersacademy.com/blog/the-common-core-in-pa/

PA Core Standards

I-Ready and RTII in the classroom

Mrs. Ann Corcoran

Literacy Specialist

Resources that help to support ELA at home

PHONICS Resources

Phonics instruction is essential for learning how to read. Students are explicitly taught phonics through our reading program, Journeys. If your child works with me during RTII time (K-4), they are getting phonics support as well. Phonics can be confusing to both children and adults alike. Below are some websites to help you support your child with phonics instruction at home.