Category: Book Reviews

Joyful Learning in Science, Math & STEM

In “Engaging Minds in Science and Math Classrooms,” Eric Brunsell & Michelle A. Fleming explain in just 55 pages the why & how of joyful learning that supports today’s ed initiatives. Excellent resource for new and veteran STEM teachers, says math teacher/coach Lynne Menechella.

Listening and Speaking: Essential Skills

Erik Palmer makes a compelling case for the explicit instruction of communication skills in Teaching the Core Skills of Listening and Speaking, relating them to CCSS anchor standards and providing helpful lessons and good advice, says reviewer Rebecca Crockett.

Regie Routman Links Literacy and Leadership

Regie Routman’s Read, Write, Lead could not have come out at a better time. Reviewer Matt Renwick says the veteran educator brings much needed sanity to the learning discussion, emphasizing the link between school leadership and literacy success.

Bring Close Reading, Writing & Talking Together

“Close Reading in Elementary School,” by Betsy and Diana Sisson, offers upper elementary teachers a framework for creating lessons; ways to link close reading, writing and talking; a model for gauging text complexity, and a reasonable approach to rigor, says reviewer and 4th grade teacher Linda Biondi.

A Thorough Guide to Turning Data into Action

“How Teachers Can Turn Data into Action” is an excellent guide to planning, ordering, and running data talks that lead to better instruction. Teacher-reviewer Dina Murphy also recommends its appendix, filled with protocols, flow charts and checklists to help get your team started.

Common Core Literacy in the Content Areas

“Common Core in the Content Areas” not only makes a convincing case that content-area teachers can be “literacy teachers” when it serves their purposes, says reviewer Sarah Goodis-Orenstein, it also provides “a bunch of teaching and planning tools” and collaborative learning tasks.