Gifting Books? A Thoughtful and Caring Act

Recently I saw a friend of mine post that Icelanders give books as a tradition for Christmas eve. How lovely is that? No wonder why such a small population is so incredibly literate–they value literacy and have embedded it into their culture.

But then I started thinking about how much more thoughtful and genuine that is then our typical way of giving gifts to others. Often we give because it’s what we do at Christmas, rarely thinking deeply about what we are giving to someone–a perfumed candle, a gift card, an ugly sweater. We impulsively purchase something in order to fill the void of this tradition. However, if you were to give a book…..well, I think that takes a bit more thought and care. If someone gave me a book–just like with music– it has to be considered with that person in mind, given their experience and preference.

So it got me thinking about what books I might “gift” to a colleague. These are general considerations of titles but these books would suit well a certain audience. I share a quote in order to provide insight into the message and methodologies of each book.

To my first-year teacher, I would give Letters to a Young Teacher by Jonathan Kozol.

To my “new to the PYP” teachers, I would give: Inquiry Mindset:Nurturing the Dreams, Wonders, and Curiosities of Our Youngest Learners by Trevor MacKenzie

Inquiry teachers don’t get bogged down with coverage or content. Rather they focus on slowing down learning to allow opportunities to deepen understanding, better support their students, and embrace the curiosities passions and interests of their learners.

Inquiry Mindset

To my school counselor, I would give: Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole-Staff Approach by Victoria E. Romero, Ricky Robertson , Amber N. Warner 

Unfortunately, professional development does not begin with school staff
exploring self. Most initiatives requiring professional development focus on
educators knowing my practice and knowing my students. Knowing my
practice is more about implementing content. Knowing my students is limited
to viewing them as passive receivers of instruction and not about who they
are as human beings, with strengths rooted in their cultural and ethnic
identities and their emotions…..Opportunity for teachers to know myself and acknowledge where they are professionally or who they are in the equation is usually omitted entirely.

Building Resilience in Students

To my marketing and school relationship department, I would give: Engage Every Family : Five Simple Principles by Steve Constantin

Why? Why would families choose your school? Why would families choose you as a classroom or you as a teacher?

Engage Every Family

To my tech integrator, I would give: Dive into UDL: Immersive Practices to Develop Expert Learners by  Kendra Grant and  Luis Perez

Your assumptions and beliefs are like the clothes in your closet. Some fit
perfectly. Some don’t fit anymore, but still you hang on to them in case they fit again (they usually don’t). Some are old, worn-out favorites that may be worth keeping. Can they be updated and repaired, or should they be replaced with something more up-to-date? Some might be trendy.

Even if these seem to fit, do they stand up to everyday wear? Will they be replaced when the next trend comes along, or does this trend have its roots in solid design?

Just like performing a seasonal closet clear-out, regularly bring your
assumptions and beliefs about learners and learning out into the light and examine them closely. Try them on. Be critical. Consider getting
a new perspective from your trusted peers during this process, especially
those with a critical eye and unflinching honesty!

Dive into UDL

To my principal, I would give: The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity by George Couros

To my librarian, I would give: Reader, Come Home by Marryanne Wolf

We need to teach children “digital wisdom”, so that they learn first how to make good decisions about content, and second, how to self-regulate and check their attention and ability to remember what they have read during online reading, both in and out of school.

Reader, Come Home

To my learning support coordinator, I would give: The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain by Thomas Armstrong

Up until now we have tended to use highly negative medicalized language to speak of brain diversity but generally positive naturalistic language to talk about cultural diversity and biodiversity. For the sake of our well-being and health of our society and culture as a whole, it’s essential that we start to use more positive language to talk about the brain in its many variations.

Thomas Armstrong

These are just a few titles that come to mind. What professional books would you “gift” and to whom? What ideas and inspiration would you share with others to demonstrate that you care about them professionally?