Math-Lesson-Plans.com

My frustration in math standards, instruction, and resources was at the peak a few years ago.  Classroom teachers knowledge levels varied, yet, no collaboration wasn't observed.  To me, the Japanese system seems to work in any nation-that was the initial reason I decided to create lesson plan's website back then.  I studied, again, the Japanese math curriculum.  At the same time, my study became at the point where I could emerge it into the State Performance Expectations.  My hard work was paid off.  Finally I uploaded some 3rd grade unit lesson plans.  I am not a professional web designer, if you allow me to make some excuses, but I did pretty good, I thought. 

Now I am facing good news and bad news.  The most exciting news is the common core standard is coming up!  Wow!  That is the exciting news.  Most of the text book companies have been working on their projects for a few years, so they are prepared.  As long as school districts purchase the product, we, the teachers don't have to struggle to fill many holes and gaps any more.  It has been tough years for teachers, at least in my school, pulling many different resources from here and there.   While we spent all our time and energy to complete the math curriculum and assessments, the administrators didn't seem happy at all, which really discouraged the teachers.  In addition, the work demand was beyond our control.  Several teachers broke down under the stress and pressure. I am hoping introducing the common core can be a solution in this situation. 

The Japanese Education Standard has been consistently governed by the Department of Education and Sports after the WWII.  The school district selects one of the government's approved text book companies.  These companies' products are already thoroughly inspected by the professionals.  No one doubt about the holes even if they exists. The teacher's job is to deliver the content efficiently in the classroom.  Not only math, it also includes literacy, science, social studies, music, arts, and PE in the Elementary School.  In fact, one of teacher's preparations is a complete knowledge of every standard in every subject in every grade from 1st to 6th.  All Japanese Teacher-Wanna-Be's madly study and cram all the information into their brain before their teaching exam in their region.  I hope teaching prep colleges, here in the U.S., start training students for common core standards before their graduation.

Here is bad news for me.  I have to adjust or even re-create the lesson plans based on the common core since my lesson plans are aligned mostly with current standards which will be "old".  I guess most of my summer time will be well spent on this.  All in all, it won't be totally bad news except for my personal work load at my satisfactory level.  Actually, the common core will bring efficiency and focus in the daily instruction.  Best of all, teacher will appreciate its sophistication and simplicity, just like my website, math-lesson-plans.com