Using a “If this happens – try this” format, Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker provide 60 “Quick Answers for Busy Teachers.” Reviewer Laura Von Staden says new teachers and vets can benefit. Using downloadable slides, the content can easily supplement PD.
Lessons and Activities for Building Powerful Numeracy is not a quick-to-read resource, but it is ready to use. Reviewer Lynne Menechella finds it “a great, thorough book for…teachers who would like to have their students develop better number sense.”
The new edition of A School Leader’s Guide to Excellence offers essential ideas for collaborating with all school stakeholders. Reviewer Tamekia McCauley says the authors provide extensive implementation guidance for their 9 topics, from Planning to Culture.
Karen Chace knows storytelling can build literacy as well as joy. In Story by Story she explains in detail how to develop students’ storytelling skills and how to gain support for storyteller festivals. Reviewer Kevin Cordi especially values her reports of student engagement.
Reviewer Sandy Wisneski has found 3D Printing in the Classroom an excellent resource to begin her journey with 3D printers. Besides explaining the technology, the book also offers resources to search for student software and ideas to expand projects into real life.
Nancie Atwell’s passion for adolescent reading and writing permeates every page of In the Middle, says reviewer Jenni Miller. Reworked with over 80% new material, this classic leads teachers through the intricacies of reading and writing workshop.
Reading Linda Rief’s Read Write Teach is like sharing coffee with a master teacher. Her experience, advice and inspiration make it feel like a very helpful conversation. Reviewer Tyler McBride tries one of her activities and shares the successful results.
The NCSM book It’s TIME offers a framework for math education that can help schools and districts ramp up CCSS-M instruction. But district math coordinator Jami Garner says it fails to address resource issues and Response to Intervention implications.
Dramathemes (4th edition) can help build literacy through its activities on revealing identity, planting hope, and more. Reviewer Mark Domeier would like to have more guidance about using the materials, which he feels are mostly too “little kid” for middle school.
In this brisk book in ASCD’s Arias series, Jane Bluestein reviews 7 popular classroom management practices that don’t work and then offers teacher behaviors that can build a positive learning environment. Reviewer Angie Grimes finds the 43-page book “short, sweet, and to the point.”
