Hellooo Summer!! Classes for many districts have ended or will end this week. Time to breathe and reflect at the same time. And remember, not all reflection requires solitude; in fact, most of us rely on those trusted colleagues to help us see what we can't. So, don't just gather the materials, fire up the laptop or turn those book pages - also make time for talk, that natural reverberation that can't help but turn questions into pathways.
TOP 12 SUMMER TIPS FOR TEACHERS
Take time to improve your best asset: YOU!
SUMMER READING LIST
Summer is your time to read your "educational books" and learn about all those exciting strategies and resources that will give you a fresh look in the fall. Here are some suggestions from my reading table:
Intentional Interruptions Breaking Down Learning Barriers to Transform Professional Practice by Steven Katz and Lisa Ain Dack
A key foundational tenet of this book is that professional development fails to make an impact because it tends not to focus on learning. To change student achievement, it is necessary to change classroom practice, and changing classroom practice requires new learning.
In Praise of American Educators by Rick DuFour
Explore the state of education today, and discover the steps that policymakers, administrators, and teachers must take to transform schools. To hear Rick DuFour talk about his latest book, click here.
Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools by Michael Horn and Heather Staker
This book serves as a design guide for K-12 stakeholders looking to effectively embrace blended learning. See more here.
Meeting Wise: Making the Most of Collaborative Time for Educators by Kathryn Parker Boudett and Elizabeth A. City
This book changed the way I think about and plan for meetings. Meetings are potentially the most important venue for adult and organizational learning. A must read for any school or school division wishing to increase student success through teacher collaboration.
Powerful Designs for Professional Learning, 3rd Edition by Lois Brown Easton
Filled with 24 learning designs, the latest edition of Learning Forward's best-seller helps educators understand the kinds of learning experiences that result in changed practices and better results for students. The broad range of designs allows educators to find the best strategies for their particular needs and circumstances.
The Active Classroom: Practical Strategies for Involving Students in the Learning Process, 2nd Edition by Ron Nash
If you want the classroom experience to result in deeper understanding and new knowledge, then students must become active participants in the learning process. Ron has added new chapters on writing and the first two weeks of school.
And for just relaxing and fun reading, I have picked up a couple of novels by these authors: Stephen King, David Baldacci, James Patterson, and Anthony Doerr.
What books are on your reading list for the summer?
