After what can only be described as the month from Hell, I am trying desperately to get myself back on track. Grading Crucible essay can only help, right?
Today, I thought I would give my Top 3 Educational Book all teachers (current and future) should take a gander at. These have greatly affected the way I teach for the better.
1. Readicide by Kelly Gallagher
Simply put, Gallagher is awesome! He is such an inspiration as a teacher, and who I hope to eventually become like. In Readicide, he writes on the systematic killing of reading done in public schools and how simple changes can be made to help bring that love back. His ideas on Articles of the Week, Books of the Month are easy additions to anyone's class that can help foster reading importance in the classroom. In addition, his thoughts on overteaching and underteaching were quite eye-opening. A great read if you are currently a teacher. My department read it this year and many enjoyed it.
2. Teaching Argument Writing by George Hillocks Jr
A little dry, but great for starting the thoughts on how to teach writing to middle and high school students. In particular, his mini-lessons are fun and really start the kids thinking about how to build arguments. There is nothing like completing a murder mystery with a bunch of freshmen to get the morning going. Really well done book by Hillocks.
3. They Say. I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein
Again, another must have for writing. There use of templates are fantastic and very user friendly to students and teachers alike. They really help the students on how to "enter the conversation" and become part of a greater discourse. The later editions have some great mentor texts for students to read in conjunction with lessons using their templates. Helping students with writing is one of the hardest parts of teaching. Graff and Birkenstein ease that burden with this book.
So there you have it. Let me know what your favorite educational books are or if you want me to write on any others.
PS. Just finished Kelly Gallagher's new book. Will review soon.
