Category: Book Reviews

Make the Shift to 1:1 Teaching & Learning

In Power Up, Diana Neebe and Jen Roberts offer a 1:1 teaching framework that will guide teachers from the implementation process to a technology-rich learning environment. The online companion PD resources are extensive, says reviewer Sandy Wisneski.

Serravallo’s Reading Strategies Earn a Rave Review

Jennifer Serravallo’s new book on reading strategies was worth the wait, says Linda Biondi. It offers “adaptable, research based lessons targeting student’s skills, adaptable to different levels of students and texts, as well as different reading programs.”

Tools to Bring the World to Your Classroom

Homa Sabet Tavangar and Becky Mladic-Morales have created the ideal global education toolkit for any teacher, K-12, to bring the world into their classroom. The resource packed book is well written and easy to navigate, says 5th grade teacher Jennifer Druffel.

How to Create Formative Classroom Assessments

Teacher-Made Assessments: How to Connect Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Learning (2nd Ed) by Gareis and Grant gets reviewer Anne Anderson’s gold star for usefulness and practicality with its guidelines offering plentiful techniques and examples.

Solutions to Writing Workshop Challenges

In The Unstoppable Writing Teacher, M. Colleen Cruz addresses issues that stop teachers from teaching writer’s workshop the way that they want. She tackles time, resources, families, curriculum and administration effectively, says reviewer Laura Von Staden.

Why and How to Connect with Educators

Whitaker, Zoul and Casas show how to fit digital connections into an already busy life, along the way packing their new book with digital resources to make PLNs a source of professional growth and friendship. Digital immigrant Laura Von Staden highly recommends it.

50 Easy-to-Implement Reading Response Ideas

Easy to implement suggestions and detailed reading response lessons make educator Marilyn Pryle’s recent book a helpful addition to the Common Core ELA bookshelf. Reviewer Sandy Wisneski recommends its common-sense resources for modeling, assessing, and practice.

How Playing with Stories Helps Us Learn

Playing with Stories is THE book for those in love with stories and those who believe that we “think in story,” says reviewer, poet and retired principal Mary Langer Thompson. Author Kevin Cordi shares strategies for building stories solo, with a partner or within small groups.