It’s that time of year--summer reading lists are here! Our list is made up of books that address topics across the education spectrum: inspired professional development, differentiated learning, policy and educational environment design. What are you reading this summer?
Find out about PD rule breakers...
Personalized PD: Flipping Your Professional Development, by Jason Bretzman
This book is a collaboration by seven educators from diverse teaching backgrounds, who share the approach they’re taking to “flipped PD.” Personalized professional development at it’s finest, the book gives concrete suggestions on how to implement innovative PD in your district, and anecdotal evidence on how they made PD work for them. The book outlines the author’s belief in “CHOICE--constant progress, honoring professionals, ongoing learning, individualized focus, collaborative learning, energizing experiences.” Reviewers have praised the book’s wealth of resources, intelligent and innovative suggestions, boldness, and reader-friendliness. You can find the book on Amazon.
Get interested in policy shakers...
In Praise of American Educators: And How They Can Become Even Better, by Richard duFour
Highly recommended by educators across the nation, “In Praise of American Educators” highlights the achievements and challenges of the most recent generation of teachers. The book addresses recent policy reforms that have failed both teachers and their students, and addresses the negative press generated by the media about the quality of American teachers. Award-winning author duFour has been in education for thirty-four years, as both a teacher and administrator. His concrete suggestions for improving education in the face of impossible policy make change finally feel tangible. Reviewers have called the book “passionate,” “inspiring,” “practical,” and “comprehensive.” Truly a must-read for modern-day educators. The book is available on Amazon.
Encourage visual note takers...
Visual Leap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Visual Learning for Teachers and Students, by Jesse Berg
Visual Leap provides a step by step guide for educators on visual notetaking, and is a solid resource if you’re looking to differentiate learning in your classroom. It guides you through visual notetaking in a way that can be synthesized for students. Creativity as at the forefront of education research because of it’s potential to expand learning and thought processes, and visual notetaking is one way to flex this “creativity muscle.” Teaching visual notetaking means providing the visual learners in your class with a process that taps into their strengths, and could improve their academic performance, problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Reviewers appreciate the book’s straightforward strategies that can be applied in the classroom. The book is available on Amazon.
Be inspired by studio makers...
In the Spirit of the Studio: Learning from the Atelier of Reggio Emilia, by Lella Gandini, Lynn Hill, et al.
Centered around the atelier principles of Reggio Emilia philosophy, “In the Spirit of the Studio” is a visually breathtaking resource that encourages educators to consider the educational environment--from the room itself, to the quality of materials. The book provides insight into how surroundings can affect a student’s learning outcomes. While it’s primarily targeted at early education teachers, it’s an inspirational read (even if you’re just looking at the pictures!) that reaffirms that even the “minutiae” of education--like the way supplies are arranged--can have a big impact. Reviewers like the books visual storytelling approach, and out-of-the-box ideas. The book is available on Amazon.