Category: Book Reviews

Be the Change: Teach Social Comprehension

Educator Sarah Cooper finds herself gravitating to teaching books that call our social consciences awake, as Sara K. Ahmed’s Being the Change does as it asks teachers to be even more human in the classroom and thus impel your students to share their humanity with you.

Quickwrite Handbook: 100 Mentor Texts

You will find 100 teacher and student friendly mentor texts in Linda Rief’s The Quickwrite Handbook. Sourced from students, teachers, and authors as well as herself, the texts come with suggestions to get students thinking and writing, says consultant Anne Anderson.

10 Model Lessons for Inquiry-based Science

As models for inquiry-based education, the book’s science activities offer strategies, tools, and procedures for designing and implementing lessons. Teacher Jeny Randall finds the book has changed the way she teaches science, despite some layout and standards glitches.

A Comprehensive Look at Responsive Literacy

Responsive Literacy’s 400 pages are well worth the read, writes Linda Biondi. Each of the contributing teacher educators present a theoretical framework and practical tools to apply in the classroom and guidance on how to help young students develop a love of literacy. Five stars.

Design Thinking for School Leaders

After explaining design thinking, Alyssa Gallagher and Kami Thordarson detail the roles and mindsets school leaders need to adapt as they move beyond traditional thought processes and ignite positive change. Educator Brian Taylor recommends the book’s strategies.

Leading Meaningful Race Conversations in Class

Matthew Kay’s Not Light, But Fire is a thought-provoking book that challenges teachers to move beyond typical classroom conversations to help students understand how to discuss difficult topics such as race. Teacher Laura Von Staden says the risks are worth the growth.

Eliminating Aggressive Behavior in Your School

Combining anecdotes, research and common sense, school psychologist Ben Springer walks you through what doesn’t work and what you can try instead when you encounter aggressive behavior in students. Alex Valencic recommends reading about the author’s happy kid formula now.

Tools to Boost Students’ Math Communication

Retired teacher and principal and now math tutor Beth Ferguson wants to develop students’ ability not just to manipulate numbers but communicate their math understanding. She has found both research and plenty of tools in Teaching Students to Communicate Mathematically.

A Leader’s Guide to Boost Student Learning

If your goal is to improve curriculum, instruction, and assessment in your classroom, building, or district, then read Six Steps to Boost Student Learning. Education consultant Anne Anderson notes the concise, focused book is filled with resources.