Much has been written and debated about the merits or pitfalls of the Common Core Learning Standards, but one thing is certain in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District: our teachers and students are moving forward to provide and master the necessary skills in language arts and mathematics, so they are prepared for a rigorous curriculum when they enter New Hyde Park Memorial High School.
This year in English language arts, all teachers have been receiving additional training in writers’ workshop and focusing on getting students to organize, plan, focus, revise, edit and publish their writing with a focus on going deeper and supporting their topic sentences with details that are rich, specific and text-based when using printed materials that are both from fictional or informational texts. Students have learned the process of doing “close reads” when faced with challenging and rigorous materials that may be above their instructional level. Teachers have been trained and are implementing instructional techniques for students to use what they know and read in the text to provide them with greater insight, understanding and comprehension in their reading and writing work. Furthermore, students are working in pairs and in teacher writing conferences to expand their thoughts, clarify their messages, and create a more vivid picture of what they want to say.
Common Core aside, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park education continues to raise the bar and challenge our students daily. We are proud of our staff and the efforts and accomplishments of the students
they teach.
