Common Core English Language Arts in a PLC at WorkTM, Grades 3-5 (Leading Edge) - Softcover

Dr. Fisher received an International Reading Association Celebrate Literacy Award for his work on literacy leadership. For his work as codirector of the City Heights Professional Development Schools, Dr. Fisher received the Christa McAuliffe award. He was corecipient of the Farmer Award for excellence in writing from the National Council of Teachers of English for the article, "Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School," published in The English Journal.

Dr. Fisher has written numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design. His books include Creating Literacy-Rich Schools for Adolescents, Checking for Understanding, Better Learning Through Structured Teaching, and Content-Area Conversations.

He earned a bachelor's degree in communication, a master's degree in public health, an executive master's degree in business, and a doctoral degree in multicultural education. Dr. Fisher completed post-doctoral study at the National Association of State Boards of Education focused on standards-based reforms.

Nancy Frey, PhD, is a professor of literacy in the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. Through the university's teacher-credentialing and reading specialist programs, she teaches courses on elementary and secondary reading instruction and literacy in content areas, classroom management, and supporting students with diverse learning needs. Dr. Frey also teaches classes at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego. She is a board member of the California Reading Association and a credentialed special educator and reading specialist in California.

Before joining the university faculty, Dr. Frey was a public school teacher in Florida. She worked at the state level for the Florida Inclusion Network helping districts design systems for supporting students with disabilities in general education classrooms. She is the recipient of the 2008 Early Career Achievement Award from the National Reading Conference and the Christa McAuliffe Award for excellence in teacher education from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She was corecipient of the Farmer Award for excellence in writing from the National Council of Teachers of English for the article, "Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School."

Dr. Frey is coauthor of Checking for Understanding, Better Learning Through Structured Teaching, and Content-Area Conversations. She has written articles for The Reading Teacher, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, The English Journal, Voices in the Middle, Middle School Journal, Remedial and Special Education, and Educational Leadership.

"For months, I have worried about how teachers were going to incorporate the Common Core State Standards into their daily literacy instruction. There are so many standards, and all require students to engage in high levels of inferential, critical-thinking, and reasoning skills. Fisher and Frey have made the implementation of this goal-not easy-but definitely attainable. Chapters on each strand begin with an example of teachers working together in a PLC to plan lessons to help students meet the standards. After teaching the lessons, teachers reconvene and share the results of their formative assessments to decide who learned what and plan their next lessons so that all students meet the standard. Using this practical, down-to-earth book as a guide, teachers can navigate the complex world of the CCSS and provide instruction that will work and have one less thing to worry about!"

--Pat Cunningham, Professor of Education, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina

"This book is a must-read for every new or experienced teacher and administrator involved in or starting a PLC! Fisher and Frey provide a clear, in-depth, and thoughtful examination of the way the CCSS for English language arts play out in grades 3-5 classrooms. They include just enough relevant research and theory to support the CCSS and collaborative planning without overwhelming readers, who will walk away understanding how to provide more effective classroom instruction and assessment."

--Karen Bromley, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Graduate School of Education, Binghamton University, SUNY

"This remarkable read gives us an uncommon look at the Common Core! It is an invaluable, comprehensive guide that is both conceptual AND practical, focusing on collaborative teams processing grades 3-5 English language arts standards. Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey's affirming message promises to move the field forward with a drive for results to improve teaching and learning!"

--Valerie Ellery, International Educational Consultant; author of International Reading Association bestseller Creating Strategic Readers and coauthor of Sustaining Strategic Readers