Teaching Common Core Through the Content Area

As Common Core Curriculum is becoming a requirement in schools across the nation, teachers are concerned about how to "fit it all in."  The best way to accomplish this, is to teach reading and language arts through the content area.  As The Next Generation Science Standards become available, teachers will have a framework for adding language arts standards to their science curriculum.  It is important to use a great deal of non-fiction text within this style of teaching.  The most important aspect of combining the content is to teach thematically.

By teaching thematically students will truly internalize their learning of the subject area.  The read aloud book of the day, the writing assignment, and the books available for the students to free read, should all pertain to the topic.  This method of teaching helps English language learners as well as students from lower socio-economic backgrounds who have limited vocabulary. Students will hear the words throughout the day during different lessons.  The students will be able to make connections and increase both their knowledge on the topic as well as their vocabulary.