From New York to Oregon, K-12 teachers across the country are using lesson plans aligned to the Common Core that were created by 130 Master Teachers with the National Education Association, including two Scottsdale Unified School District teachers.
Cathy Skinner, a fifth grade National Board Certified teacher at Redfield Elementary School, and Heather Robinson, a fifth grade teacher and 2006 Arizona History Teacher of the Year at Desert Canyon Elementary School, are two of 130 teachers across the country selected as Master Teachers and to participate in the BetterLesson launch.
Cathy Skinner, left, a fifth grade National Board Certified teacher at Redfield Elementary School, and Heather Robinson, right, a fifth grade teacher and 2006 Arizona History Teacher of the Year at Desert Canyon Elementary School, are two of 130 teachers across the country selected as Master Teachers and to participate in the BetterLesson launch.
BetterLesson brings together Master Teachers in grades K-12 Math and English Language Arts, like Mrs. Skinner and Mrs. Robinson, to create and share classroom-ready lessons that are easily accessible and can be integrated into any curriculum. The Master Teachers also share reflections, real-life insight into what worked, what misfired and tips/tricks to successful Common Core implementation.
“I love creating lessons that empower my 5th graders. Students possess unlimited potential, and as the lucky teacher, I’ve a whole year to guide them toward impacting their own world in the best way,” said Mrs. Robinson. “It’s a privilege to add my voice to the BetterLesson community of educators nationwide, and to enhance my own classroom with the lesson plans of other Master Teachers. With the varied personalities and teaching styles represented on the site, there’s something for every educator.”
In all, Mrs. Skinner has created 61 Math lessons and Mrs. Robinson has created 137 English Language Arts lessons that are being used by teachers nationwide. Additionally, in June, one of Mrs. Skinner’s lessons, Real Life Measurement, an integrated math-science lesson, was highlighted during the inaugural White House Maker Faire.
“Working on this project has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve had for personal and professional growth. After working on this project, I have realized the power of the Common Core is not just in the written standards, but the open sharing that is possible across the nation helps to recognize what lessons work and ways to make lessons better. Common Core has created a backbone for teachers to build on,” said Mrs. Skinner.
There are more than 10,000 lesson plans that align to the Common Core for K-12 teachers to download and view on BetterLesson. For more information about the NEA, please visit http://www.nea.org/. For more information about BetterLesson, please visit http://betterlesson.com/
Scottsdale Unified School District, where we Engage, Educate and Empower Every Student, Every Day. The District and 19 schools have earned the state’s highest A-F Achievement Profile grade – A – by the Arizona Department of Education. For more information about Scottsdale Unified schools, please visit www.susd.org.
