Standard Focus: Your Standards are NOT Against You!

 When most educators hear the word "standards" there are a few common natural reactions. Some teachers sigh, roll their eyes, or even cover their face. Others might have choice words or even smirks to offer in exchange for the word being spoken. Still, there are others that might break out into a sweat because they know mentioning the standard means changing something, unfavorable PD, or an evaluation of some sort. 

While this might all seem humorous, it's quite true. I myself had had several of these reactions multiple times. Recently however, I was inspired by a podcast episode on "Teach Me, Teacher" in which Jacob Chastain took listeners into a deep dive for Readers' Workshop.  Since I am always on the look out for new ideas and ways to approach Workshop in my classroom, I was surprised to hear that in his classroom, Jacob starts with... (drumroll please) the standards. He always shows the students what standard they are covering, and throughout his lessons he checks in with them to see how they are doing (independent conferring time) and to see what strategies are being used by readers to meet the standard. 

This was a lightbulb moment for me in that we don't have to be afraid of the standards. In fact, the more we read them, unpack their meanings in a relevant way that ties in with our instruction. Using the standards can provide explicit insight into grade-level goals, while still counting as a "mile marker" for students in their reading. As a teacher, I know that my first priority is to teach the students the what the standard is looking for from their reading (and comprehension) that day or week. It's also important to keep in mind individual student goals. While it's natural for a student to work on a goal for a few days or even a week (for example a stamina goal) we also have to assist students to take the risk in trying a new goal. This is where I say it's important for school districts to allow for individuality from both teachers and students, so instead of rushing through a standard, students can see and manipulate their work as readers to achieve one part of the standard at a time, all at once- whatever works for them. 

So what are we waiting for really? Let's spend some quiet time with the standards and see how we can use them to our advantage for a change! I've already started jotting down standards that I believe would make appropriate goals for my class overall, and looking for specific parts to focus on.  My next step will be use what I know about my students to anticipate roadblocks, and how I can help a student work through their text to meet the standard. Bear in mind that not every standard will be met through one activity, but often they take multiple strategies from the teacher to work through, and have the student feel satisfied with their work. 

Final thoughts: Keep studying the standards for reading, the more we know them, the easier it is to explain them to our students. Keep using standards as an objective or goal to have. Keep trying a standard out; it doesn't have to work perfectly the first time! and finally, keep encouraging your students that standards are a part of their learning and something they can use. There's no need to view them as a far-off concept any longer!