Psychotherapist Noah Kempler presents ways to help kids develop five core skills: understanding feelings, communication, flexibility, respect, and problem solving. Retired principal Mary Langer Thompson finds his discussion about temperament particularly valuable.
Book Reviews / Building Relationships
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/11/2016 · Last modified 11/19/2019
In Relationships That Work, authors Adam Sáenz and Jeremy Dew invite readers to write and reflect about the best ways to work with kids, parents and colleagues to help students learn. Math teacher Anthony Purcell found the counselors’ advice helpful.
Frank Buck provides a total organizational system for the busy classroom or administrative leader. Mary Langer Thompson reports his paper and digital strategies, all presented in a user-friendly and supportive tone, cost little and can be implemented immediately.
Pia Hansen’s Mathematics Coaching Handbook carefully explores the roles played by coaches, then goes on to describe how to approach and work with teachers. Middle grades specialist Scott Sharp also finds the appendix’s many templates helpful.
Adam Sáenz and Jeremy Dew link relationship building to its impact on fulfilling our calling as educators. The authors invite readers to reflect on how they connect and set boundaries to best use energy. Well worth the read, says Laura Von Staden.
Both parents and teachers can benefit from reading Daniel Willingham’s thorough exploration of the science of reading and comprehension, gaining insights into what works with different age groups, says middle school educator Michael DiClemente.
Homa Sabet Tavangar and Becky Mladic-Morales have created the ideal global education toolkit for any teacher, K-12, to bring the world into their classroom. The resource packed book is well written and easy to navigate, says 5th grade teacher Jennifer Druffel.
Teaching with Heart gives voice to teachers and explores the nature of teaching in a totally new way. Reviewer and teacher-leader Ariel Sacks also finds it a testament to the power of poetry in a culture that often forgets its value.
Teachers and parents alike can find helpful interventions for children’s and teen’s tangles with the Worry Monster in psychologist Daniel B. Peters’ Make Your Worrier A Warrior. Reviewer Lorie Shiveley describes how she has used several ideas in her own classroom and family.
In Mentoring and Coaching Tips: How Educators Can Help Each Other, reviewer Jenni Miller reports that Sheryn Waterman writes in helpful ways about how educators can support new teachers and others through effective mentoring and coaching.
