Timely, thoughtful, and comprehensive, this text directly supports pre-service and in-service teachers in developing curriculum and instruction that both addresses and exceeds the requirements of the Common Core State Standards. Adopting a critical inquiry approach, it demonstrates how the Standards' highest and best intentions for student success can be implemented from a critical, culturally relevant perspective firmly grounded in current literacy learning theory and research. It provides specific examples of teachers using the critical inquiry curriculum framework of identifying problems and issues, adopting alternative perspectives, and entertaining change in their classrooms to illustrate how the Standards can not only be addressed but also surpassed through engaging instruction.

The Second Edition provides new material on






adopting a critical inquiry approach to enhance student engagement and critical thinking



planning instruction to effectively implement the CCSS in the classroom



fostering critical response to literary and informational texts



using YA literature and literature by authors of color



integrating drama activities into literature and speaking/listening instruction



teaching informational, explanatory, argumentative, and narrative writing



working with ELL students to address the language Standards



using digital tools and apps to respond to and create digital texts



employing formative assessment to provide supportive feedback



preparing students for the PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments



using the book's wiki site http://englishccss.pbworks.com for further resources