Julie M. Wilson explains how to lead educators through change and also looks at how leaders can sustain their effort by taking her readers on a leadership version of The Hero’s Journey. Principal Michael Whisler particularly liked her Strengths-based Conversation script.
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.
In their newly updated book Michael J. Graham and Jason Borgen have a lot to offer, not just about using Google Tools, but also about integrating technology into the classroom in innovative and thoughtful ways, says teacher and middle school coordinator Jeny Randall.
The 20 lessons in Developing Writers of Argument are perfect for teachers looking for innovative and relevant material that distinguishes argument from persuasion. ELA teacher Erin Corrigan-Smith says the engaging content can also work for cross-curricular assignments.
In Mindsets and Moves, Gravity Goldberg shows how to change mindsets in our classrooms and how to move students from reading as work to reading as a pathway to learning. Educator Laura Von Staden recommends this well-written, thought-provoking book.
Serena Pariser’s book offers best practices for creating a classroom community where the teacher is respected, students are valued and engaged, and isolation is reduced. Like chatting with a colleague who has funny stories and great advice to share, writes Stacy Thorpe.
Nancy Akhavan encourages teachers to push away from assigned passages with worksheets that require canned responses, and instead promote more freedom in student thinking, and more reflection about their connection to the reading and writing going on in their classroom.
Teacher think alouds should not be spur of the moment but carefully planned events built around specific objectives and your thoughtful analysis of the text in question. Molly Ness’s 3-step process will fully prepare you to wow your students, says reviewer Linda Biondi.
Drawing on her national survey of 1500 students, Heather Wolpert-Gawron’s “Just Ask Us” brings their voices to the challenges of engagement. Adding teacher interviews and research, she offers a strategy-filled resource that belongs in every teacher’s hands, says David Bever.
Book Reviews / Project Based Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 02/01/2018 · Last modified 11/17/2019
After outlining the three design shifts in clarity, challenge and culture Michael McDowell calls for in Rigorous PBL by Design, teacher Rebecca Berger recommends PBL educators and leaders of PBL-focused schools take the time to read this dense but informative book.
