My Summer Professional Reading for 2019
With 2 weeks left of school, the reality of summer holiday feels palpable. My favorite part of summertime is sitting either by the lake or pool with a good book. I find long periods of reading to be restorative and energizing. However, there are so many good books out there that it’s not easy to create a short list. Here’s are my “must-reads” for the summer:
A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas by Warren Berger
Why I chose this book?
I found reading Berger’s last book, The Book of Beautiful Questions, problematic because I had to constantly put it down to take notes and apply it. It wasn’t a passive reading experience and it has helped me to be more creative when solving problems, both professionally and personally. Needless to say, I have high hopes for this sequel.
What I hope to gain from this book?
Although I expect to be inspired by the stories and case studies, I hope it will deepen my knowledge of design thinking and help me “sharpen my saw” when it comes to using curiosity as a tool for innovation.
Translanguaging for Emergent Bilinguals: Inclusive Teaching in the Linguistically Diverse Classroom by
Why I chose this book?
Translanguaging has been a term that has been floating around for the last couple years and I really don’t know how it is different from bilingual or multilingual. I would like to learn more about what it is and how we might approach language development in a more thoughtful and holistic way.
What I hope to gain from this book?
My hope is to better understand what this term even means and how I might identify when translanguaging is happening, so I might promote it in our school. I’ve already started reading it and it has already opened my eyes to lots of issues that schools face with their policies and the challenges teachers have in their classrooms.
Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges, and Leaderboards by Yu-kai Chou
Why I chose this book?
After I read the book, Super Better by Jane McGonigal, I have been intrigued by the cultivation of a game mindset to solve problems and overcome personal/professional difficulties. This book goes deeper into the design elements of games and how to use a human-centered approach to challenges.
What I hope to gain from this book?
I find a “game mindset” is such an appealing way to live, full of fun and fascination, as you tackle the “bad guys” through your exciting adventure called LIFE. I’d love to apply it work-related situations, including but not limited to teachers’ professional development and encouraging critical research skills and a love of reading for students.
Leading with Intention: Eight Areas for Reflection and Planning in Your PLC at Work by Jeanne Spiller and Karen Power
Why I chose this book?
Having experience in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) done well I know they can be transformative. However, I’ve also been at quite a few schools that have either done it poorly or not at all. With that in mind, I feel that my spotty background needs some gaps filled, and I felt this book might do the trick.
What I hope to gain from this book?
I have high hopes for this book, including defining what collaboration could look like at our school, as well as creating a pedagogical focus and timeline in which to do the work. Also, I am a bit on the fence about whether teachers should do their own personal inquiries, something that I am really a big fan of, for their professional goals or if PLCs should be linked to a global teaching initiative. I’m hoping to gain some perspective and clarity around this conundrum by reading this book.
Five Pillars of the Mind: Redesigning Education to Suit the Brain by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
Why I chose this book?
As someone who is a PYP Curriculum Coordinator, I am always interested in marrying efficiency with effectiveness to create a dynamic learning experience through our Programme of Inquiry. So the book blurb immediately hooked me:
A review of the research on brain networks reveals, surprisingly, that there are just five basic pillars through which all learning takes place: Symbols, Patterns, Order, Categories, and Relationships. Dr. Tokuhama-Espinosa proposes that redesigning school curriculum around these five pillars—whether to augment or replace traditional subject categories—could enable students to develop the transdisciplinary problem-solving skills that are often touted as the ultimate goal of education.
What I hope to gain from this book?
My primary goal is to deepen my knowledge of transdisciplinary learning and how it can happen more organically. My secondary goal is how to create a more fluid and enhanced Programme of Inquiry like the one I describe in a previous blog post: What’s the Best that Could Happen? Using a Trans-Articulation Approach to Designing a Mission-Driven Programme of Inquiry (#PYP) I anticipate that this will be the most academic of all of my books on my list.
The Four O’Clock Faculty: A Rogue Guide to Revolutionizing Professional Development by Rich Czyz
Why I chose this book?
I have had this on my book wish list for a while and it’s due time that I read it! I follow Rich Czyz on Twitter and his posts always provoke and inspire me. Now that I am back in a position in which I have input into professional development, I feel that using and building upon his ideas and approaches will amplify the growth of teachers at school. I believe that this book will be highly practical and insightful.
What I hope to gain from this book?
Plain and simple: ideas, ideas, ideas for planning professional development and creating a culture that loves growing and learning!
Say What You Mean by Oren Jay Sofer
Why I chose this book?
Early in my elementary school career, I read the book, The Compassionate Classroom and it made me reflect deeply on how I can use my words to help or harm others. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, when I decided to dedicate myself to the 5 Mindfulness Trainings , I came into the awareness that I had still not mastered my communication skills. My most challenging mindfulness practice is “loving speech and deep listening” and I felt that this book had a lot of strategies and practices that would help me refine my skills as a mindful communicator.
What I hope to gain from this book?
As someone moving to a new school community and is in leadership, I am very conscious of how my words can impact my relationships. New to staff and parents, my words can make an immediate impression, so I want it to be a positive one from the get-go. I hope that this book will help me to be more present and convey the best version of myself. So, in general, I develop into a more clear and compassionate communicator.
Grading Smarter, Not Harder: Assessment Strategies That Motivate Kids and Help Them Learn by Myron Dueck
Why I chose this book?
To be honest, the work of this author and educator is new to me. However, he is coming to our school for professional development, so I want to be sure to be familiar with his work.
What I hope to gain from this book?
He has some interesting ideas about assessment practices, so I am keen to examine how we can apply his ideas into our culture of learning. I also find his ideas promising in how we might rethink and re-imagine report cards.
Other titles that I hope to get around to….
The Translanguaging Classroom: Leveraging Student Bilingualism for Learning by
Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta Hammond
HEART!: Fully Forming Your Professional Life as a Teacher and Leader by Timothy D. Kanold
PLC+: Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design by Nancy Frey et al.
Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by
Unlocked: Assessment as the Key to Everyday Creativity in the Classroom (Teaching and Measuring Creativity and Creative Skills) by Katie White
What School Could Be: Insights and Inspiration from Teachers across America by Ted Dintersmith
Work: How to Find Joy and Meaning in Each Hour of the Day by Thich Nhat Hahn
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by
Writers Read Better: Nonfiction: 50+ Paired Lessons That Turn Writing Craft Work Into Powerful Genre Reading by M. Colleen Cruz
Fact Vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Fake News by
I know that this is an ambitious reading list, but between my Audible app for road trips and my Kindle for the poolside, I think I can make a serious dent in professional reading for the summer
What about you? What are your must-reads for the summer?
Developing learners as leaders is my joy! I am committed and passionate International Baccaluearate (IB) educator who loves cracking jokes, jumping on trampolines and reading books. When I’m not playing Minecraft with my daughter, I work on empowering others in order to create a future that works for everyone.
