Looking for something to read this summer? Here are a few sorta-teaching-related texts I’ve enjoyed. These are all non-fiction. Fiction seems too subjective (but I love Dune, The Song of Ice and Fire series, and almost all of the Harry Bosch series). Note: none of those are school appropriate 😝
Why Don’t Students Like School
Why Don’t Students Like School, from Dan Willingham. Fun read, looking at how students learn, and how our teaching can accidentally push in the wrong direction. My biggest takeaway (and a theme in my thinking lately): the low levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy make the high levels possible.
Think Like A Freak
Ok, I’m only part way into Think Like A Freak, but I already see several future posts emerging from it. It’s all about approaching problems from new directions, thinking about how you think, and how easy it is to fall into common thinking traps. Also recommend: the authors’ earlier book Freakonomics, and their related podcast (the belts vs suspendors ep is a blast).
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
In What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, the author examines how leaders reach the top because of a certain trait, but then that very trait holds them back once they’re at the top. Explores a favorite theme of mine: strengths become weaknesses. Some very brave examples of seeking purposeful feedback from those under you.
Digital Reading
And here are some online articles to read this summer as well!
1. 9 Elephants in the Classroom
This one’s a killer. Will Richardson digs into 9 Elephants in The Classroom That Should Unsettle Us. Some serious reflection required.
2. Ms. Trayers Survives
Author of my favorite gifted ed blog, Joelle Trayers writes up her “lessons learned” from a year battling cancer while teaching kindergarten (with 15 boys).
3. Four Types of Fun
From Nicole Lazzaro, comes The Four Keys To Fun, a quick breakdown of ways things can be “fun.” This big image is where most of the information’s at.
4. Venn Diagrams To The Extreme!
Clear a little time from your schedule for this one: Higher Order Thinking with Venn Diagrams. I love it when people tackle an idea that I think I’ve mastered, and absolutely blow my mind with the untapped potential.
5. Blogging Hurdles
Earlier in the summer, I posed a challenge: start a blog. Principal Eric Sheninger breaks down five hurdles that stop people from doing just that.