Welcome to Reading to the Core. The name is a bit of a play on words, as my goal for this space is to share thoughts about implementing the Common Core State Standards in English/Language Arts. Like many of you, I have plenty of questions and reservations about the CCSS. I am a reader and lover of literature to the core. One of the reasons I became a teacher was to share this passion with my students. Will this still be possible when the CCSS is fully  implemented? Will the CCSS make this easier? I don’t know. So, some posts will  address my thoughts and opinions about the standards.  Other posts will be my ideas about using specific books that I am passionate about (and may not be on the exemplar list) to teach specific standards. In either case, I hope to have a conversation with literacy professionals around the country about reading and writing instruction today. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!