Category: Book Reviews

How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward

In The Power of Regret, creativity and motivation author Dan Pink finds that regrets can make us stronger and more effective in our work. Professional learning consultant Cathy Gassenheimer encourages educators to consider how Pink’s four types of regrets relate to our lives.

Share the Gift of Story with All Your Students

Middle grades teacher and NBCT Kathleen Palmieri finds John Schu’s book The Gift of Story “an incredible journey into the power of stories” as he invites teachers to an exploration of the affective side of reading and shares ways to welcome students into the reading life. “Incredible.”

Lead Like a COACH on Your Instructional Walks

Any educator who leads in schools will find principal Matt Renwick’s Leading like a C.O.A.C.H. grounded in real boots-on-the-ground work and loaded with opportunities to reflect on and improve leadership practices. Instructional Walks are key, writes school leader Rita Platt.

Recapturing the Joy of Reading for Students

Dynamic duo Donalyn Miller and Teri Lesesne have teamed up again to create a book filled with practical strategies to implement immediately as well as valuable resources to ensure student success. Teacher Cheryl Mizerny says the conversational guide is essential reading now.

How to Build Any School into a Success Story

Every school leader needs a focused, intentional process to move a school from what it is to what it can become, writes veteran principal Frank Hagen. Robyn Jackson offers a “new way of thinking” through the phases of her Buildership Model and its 90-day iterative blueprints.

75 Activities to Help Foster Self-Regulation

In Teaching Self-Regulation, teacher educators Amy Erickson and Patricia Noonan show us how to combine explicit instruction and authentic deliberative practice with constructive feedback prompts to build students’ self-reflection and growth. Consultant Helene Alalouf is impressed.

6 Stances That Promote True Writing Revision

The many Aha! moments in Chris Hall’s The Writer’s Mindset will lead the reader to reexamine classroom practices – from reimagining revision to building student self-awareness and much more. Literacy consultant Anne Anderson appreciates the activities that pack the book.