Summer Reading for Teachers
We asked four Responsive Classroom consultants,
“What’s one great resource for teachers as they look ahead to the next school year?”
Here are their responses:
Mark Emmons said, “The Well-Balanced Teacher, by Mike Anderson, is a quick read and has many helpful tips for teachers. It shows teachers how to take care of themselves so they can be the best they can be for their students. As the author points out, teachers who have met their own needs for belonging, significance, and fun are much better equipped to meet those needs for the students in their classrooms.”
Lynn Majewski said, “Energizers!, by Susan Lattanzi Roser. I’ve always found that giving children breaks from sitting and working with the curriculum actually helps foster deeper engagement in learning. Roser’s energizers offer quick ways to let children move, stretch, and refresh their minds and bodies. Many of the activities have academic connections; all of them help children get back to intense learning with more energy and focus.”
Sarah Fillion said, “Do you ever feel that you could better hold your students’ attention if you only knew what’s going on in their heads? Brain-Based Teaching in the Digital Age, by Marilee Sprenger helps you understand, discussing how ‘Generation Z’ students take in information and how they expect to discover answers. She shows you how to incorporate technology into lessons and create powerful technology teams that foster social interaction and learning. Sprenger also talks about low- or no-technology tools that will help you engage your students’ minds in meaningful ways that keep them excited about learning.”
Carol Davis said, “As I read Stephen L. Wessler’s eye-opening and inspiring book, The Respectful School, cover to cover in one night, I was overwhelmed by the information on the number of students who experience bullying. At the same time, I found The Respectful School incredibly inspiring as it shared the hopeful stories of the many ways schools have tackled the issue of bullying. You’ll find many specific ideas about what both educators and students can do together to create supportive learning communities where everyone feels respected and valued.”
Tags: Professional Development, School Breaks, Summer