Today was interesting.  I was in a group that was discussing the Common Core Standards.  We discussed how the things that we have been learning and doing with our students will really benefit us during the next few years as we move to Common Core ELA Standards. My students have done more writing than ever this year, and much of it has been focused on history.  It has been great to see them develop their writing skills as they also learn about our country's history.  They especially enjoyed writing informative essays.   I am looking forward to teaching more social studies in the classroom because the new reading and writing standards lend themselves so well to this.  The group talked about how even SPEC fits well into the standards.  I am looking forward to the change.