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Utah Core Standards for Mathematics & English Language Arts

General Information Math Overview Math Resources ELA Overview ELA Resources

Utah is one of over 40 states and territories that have agreed to transition their core standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics to a set of standards common to all states. This "Common Core" initiative is organized and supported by the National Governor's Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

General Information

Common Core State StandardsCommon Core State Standards
The official web site for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
USOE: Common Core ResourcesUSOE: Utah Core Standards Resources
The Utah State Office of Education's Utah Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts. Download the informational brochure (pdf).
Letter to Parents (pdf)
USOE created this two-sided letter to parents to use as an introduction to the fact that schools will be transitioning to the new English Language Arts Common Core.
Transitioning to the Common Core (PPT)
USOE used this PowerPoint to introduce the Common Core State Standards to both teachers and principals.
Another Letter to Parents re: CCSS (Doc)
Superintendent Don Hill, from South Sanpete, graciously agreed to share the letter he sent to his parents and students about the new CCSS.
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Common Core State Standards.
Spotlight on the Common Core State Standards
What do teachers need to know about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?
Understanding the Common Core State StandardsASCD Common Core Resources
ASCD resources, books, and authors related to the common core in the areas of standards, instruction, curriculum, and assessment.
Free Apps
Access the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) from your mobile device!      iTunes   •  Android
Myths vs. Facts about the CCSS
Here are some myths (and facts) about the Common Core State Standards.
Understanding the Common Core State StandardsUnderstanding the Common Core (PPT)
An overview of the Common Core State Standards, with a focus on how the standards are organized and key content takeaways within each discipline.
Understanding the Common Core State Standards2012 Utah Core Academy
The 2012 Core Academies will focus on instruction in Math, Social Studies, and Science to complement and support the integration of the Utah Core State Standards.

 

Mathematics Overview

Mathematics courses in Utah's schools will be reorganized, in line with the curriculum of countries with the highest mathematics achievement. Some familiar course names, like Algebra or Geometry, will be replaced with Secondary Mathematics I, Secondary Mathematics II, and Secondary Mathematics III. At the conclusion of Secondary Mathematics III, students will be prepared for credit-bearing college coursework and application of mathematics to careers.

Utah Core Standards for Mathematics
Utah has adopted the international model of teaching secondary math. This integrated approach combines concepts related to the number system, algebraic thinking, measurement and data, and geometry throughout the curriculum.

 

Key Points In MathematicsKey Points In Mathematics
A brief overview that highlights the key points in the new Mathematics Common Core.

Information for Parents from USOE.

Utah's Implementation Schedule for MathematicsUtah's Implementation Schedule for Mathematics
The Mathematics Core will be implemented according to the schedule in this matrix. Download PDF version.
USOE's Suggested Student Course ProgressionsUSOE's Suggested Student Course Progressions
This document provides guidance on student placement during the five years of Mathematics Standards implementation.
USOE's Suggested Student Course ProgressionsCritical Areas of Focus (K-8) (pdf)
This document from the Ohio Dept. of Education describes the big ideas that educators can use to build their curriculum and to guide instruction.
Math CRT Schedule (pdf)
An explanation of the CRT assessment schedule provided by the Utah State Office of Education.
USOE Answers Your Questions
Topics include: Implementation Schedule, Graduation Requirements, Courses and Endorcements, Instructional Materials and Assessment.
Recommendations for Professional Development (pdf)
Nine suggestions for states and districts on effective CCSS Math teacher professional development.
What advice do you have for districts about revising curriculum?
Phil Daro, a Senior Fellow for America's Choice, provides some advice to districts in this 1 minute video.
What should principals look for in the classroom?
Watch this 1 minute video to learn what Phil Daro thinks about this question.
How do you create better standards in math?
Phil Daro shares his thoughts about Math standards in this 3 minute video.
What does math college readiness mean?
Find out what college readiness means in this 4:45 minute Phil Daro video.

 

Mathematics Resources

Secondary Math I Curriculum GuidesSecondary Mathematics I Curriculum Guides
USOE, and educators around the state of Utah, developed these guides to illuminate the meaning of the standards and to provide instructional guidance.
Resources for Mathematics Grade 6
Educators across the state of Utah have developed and gathered these materials to help you teach the Utah Core Standards for Mathematics Grade 6.
Sixth Grade Mathematics WIKI
This WIKI was developed for the 2011 Core Academy. Be sure to check out the Math Tasks that were developed by educators.
Progressions Documents
Narrative documents describing the progression of a topic across a number of grade levels.
Secondary Math Consortium Resources
Educators from Utah's Jordan and Granite school districts developed these materials. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
6-8 Grade Math Consortium Resources
Educators from Utah's Jordan and Granite school districts developed these materials. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Elementary Mathematics Curriculum Guides
The USOE Elementary Math Specialist worked with Utah educators to create these comprehensive Curriculum Guides.

4th and 5th Grade:

6th Grade:
Elementary Mathematics Common Core Crosswalks
USOE worked with educators around the state of Utah to identify how the new Elementary Math Core differs from the 2007 Utah core. (Be sure to look at the key at the bottom of the documents.)

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Sixth Grade

Practices Learning Community Templates
USOE developed nine templates for use in professional learning situations in which educators are seeking to understand the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice.
IXL Math IXL Math Skills
Students in grades K - 8 can practice Math skills aligned to the Common Core.
Illustrative Mathematics Project
A flexible display of the standards, with the hierarchy expanding or collapsing at a click, and the K–8 standards viewable both by grade level and by domain.
Teaching Channel
Short videos of inspiring educators sharing lesson ideas that support the Mathematics Common Core Standards.
National STEM Digital LibraryNational STEM Digital Library
A collection of digital learning objects that are related to specific Math Common Core State Standards.
California Mathematics Project
This web page has a variety of resources to support California's Version of the Common Core Content Standards Mathematics (CaCCSS-M).
Sketchpad Explorer
Free iPad application that could be very useful for those working on transformational geometry in the Secondary I course.
Mathematics Glossary (pdf)
Vocabulary words and definitions found in the Mathematics Common Core Standards.
Unpacking Standards
North Carolina educators "unpacked" each standard so that it is clear what a student must know, understand and be able to do.
Share Common Core Mathematics ResourcesPlease Share Other Resources
Are you aware of additional educational resources that support the Utah Mathematics Core? Please take a moment to share them with UEN.

 

English Language Arts Overview

Utah Core Standards for English Language Arts

Additional Standards for Grades 6-12

Reading for Literacy in History/Social Studies (pdf)

Reading for Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects (pdf)

Writing for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (pdf)

Key Points in English Language ArtsKey Points In English Language Arts
A brief overview that highlights the key points in the new English Language Arts Core.
ELA CCSS Graphic Overview Document (pdf)
A graphic representation of the components that make up the new ELA Standards.
Understanding the Common Core State StandardsLetter to Parents (pdf)
USOE created this two-sided letter to parents to use as an introduction to the fact that schools will be transitioning to the new English Language Arts Core.
Structure of the English Language Arts Common CoreStructure of the English Language Arts Core (pdf)
A brief overview of the structure of the ELA core.
Appendices A, B, and CAppendices A, B, and C
Appendix A: Supplementary materials & glossary of terms
Appendix B: Text exemplars (1.52 MB)
Appendix C: Annotated samples of student writing (22.28 MB)
Utah's Implementation Schedule for MathematicsUtah's Implementation Schedule for English Language Arts
The new English Language Arts Core will be implemented according to the schedule in this matrix. Download PDF version.
ELA CCSS "Code" (pdf)
A "code" has been developed to help educators talk about the ELA Core State Standards.
How will Common Core change instruction for teachers?
Sally Hampton, a Senior Fellow for America's Choice, answers this question in a 1 minute video.
How will Common Core change the expectations for students?
Listen to Sally Hampton's response in this 1:20 minute video.
What are the goals of ELA Common Core State Standards?
Sally Hampton explains the goals of the new ELA core in this 2:49 minute video.
How do you define rigor in ELA?
Sally Hampton defines "rigor" in this 1:13 minute video.

 

English Language Arts Resources

Alignment of the previous Utah Language Arts Core to the new Utah Core Standards
USOE worked with educators around the state of Utah to align the previous Language Arts core to the new Utah Core Standards.

Understanding the Common Core State StandardsUtah ELA Core: Secondary Draft Lessons
These draft lessons were created by Utah educators who attended the 2011 Core Academies.
Range and Complexity of TextRange and Complexity of Text
USOE created this visual representation of the range and complexity of text in the previous Language Arts core compared to the new ELA Core standards.
Grade-Specific Text Complexity DemandsGrade-Specific Text Complexity Demands (pdf)
This table illustrates the progression of reading standard 10 from grades K - 12.

Text Exemplars and Sample Performance Tasks
Organized by grade bands.

How to Build Knowledge SystematicallyHow to Build Knowledge Systematically (pdf)
This example illustrates how educators can infuse the English Language Arts block with content knowledge and vocabulary in history/social studies, science, and the arts.
Reading Foundational SkillsReading Foundational Skills (pdf)
This supplement to the Reading Standards: Foundational Skills (K–5) provides information such as phoneme-grapheme correspondences, phonological awareness details.

Samples of Student Writing
These writing samples have been annotatated to illustrate the criteria required to meet the standards for a particular type of writing - argument, informative / explanatory text, and narrative.

Resources from Utah Core Academy 2011
USOE Specialists and educators from across Utah developed these English Language Arts resources for the 2011 Utah Core Academy.
Secondary Curriculum Maps
The Jordan School District expanded on the Gates Foundation Curriculum Maps. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Elementary ELA Resources
Jordan School District developed and gathered extensive resources for Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Secondary Curriculum Maps
The Granite School District developed these Curriculum Maps for grades 7-12. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Teaching Channel
Short videos of inspiring educators sharing lesson ideas that support the English Language Arts Common Core Standards.
Teaching Argument Writing, Grades 6-12
Supporting Claims with Relevant Evidence and Clear Reasoning This book teaches us not only what an argument is, but how to teach it and why we should. (Study Guide)
Argumentative Writing Resources
A collection of resources to help teach argumentative writing.
Unpacking Standards
North Carolina educators "unpacked" each standard so that it is clear what a student must know, understand and be able to do.
Share Common Core English Language Arts ResourcesPlease Share Other Resources
Are you aware of additional educational resources that support the new English Language Arts Core Standards? Please take a moment to share them with UEN.