Tools and Insights for Meeting and Exceeding the Common Core Standards Literacy and the Common Core offers K–12 teachers clear guidance on how to design units, lessons, and objectives to meet the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts; it filled with practical strategies that teachers can use immediately to target key standards; and it describes how to analyze the standards to support instructional planning and curriculum development. This book aims to make life a little easier for everyone—teachers, school leaders, parents, and students—as we all strive to prepare students for college and the careers they most desire. The book includes practical tools, templates, and rubrics ready to be downloaded and customized to meet your needs. Additional resources may be found on the companion site, www.literacycookbook.com. Here are just a few of the essential topics addressed: Which standards to start with and how to tackle them How to bridge the gap when students are not on grade level How to engage and support parents How to teach students to write effectively How to translate the standards for actual use Take the recipes in this book, make them your own, and enjoy your new “Common Core Master Chef� status!