Book Reviews / Student Driven Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/03/2014 · Last modified 11/18/2019
New teachers and veterans alike will find plenty to emulate in Marsha Ratzel’s Teaching in High Gear, which reflects upon her journey to a connected, student-driven classroom. Ratzel’s creation of her own PLN is also instructive, says reviewer Julie Ron.
After lots of looking reviewer Judi Holst has found just the book she needs to learn how to flip effectively in her English classes. She highly recommends Troy Cockrum’s new book for its easy-to-follow steps and adaptable lesson plans.
David Booth’s Caught in the Middle is one of those rare books that truly has the capacity to help a teacher carve out a roadmap for a successful year of working with middle school readers and writers, says reviewer Jenni Miller.
In Rigor in Your Classroom: A Toolkit for Teachers, Barbara Blackburn has really done her homework, says reviewer Laura Von Staden. It is well referenced, thoroughly investigated and succinct and features tools and resources from teachers across the country.
William H. Robertson channels his unique perspective and experiences as a skateboarder and educator into a well-written, informative, and enjoyable read in Action Science: Relevant Teaching and Active Learning, says reviewer Hallie Askuvich.
New teachers will find Teaching Students to Think Like Scientists full of ideas for modeling the scientific method and integrating literacy & science in grades K-6. But independent school educator Tracey Muise felt the Common Core focus was overdone.
Reviewer Tyler McBride says the authors of Uncommon Core draw on research and their classroom experience to help teachers and administrators avoid some “absurd” teaching practices implied in the Common Core standards and get CCSS implementation right.
Students benefit from reading independently if specific conditions are in place. In No More Independent Reading Without Support Debbie Miller and Barbara Moss share research-based strategies to enhance classroom practice and student learning.
As arts education budgets shrink, K-8 educators will appreciate The Arts Go to School, says reviewer Jennifer Jankowski. Authors David Booth and Masayuki Hachiya offer creative ideas for incorporating arts into the daily curriculum across many subjects.
This is a very short, very concise, highly referenced book on the incredibly important topic of adolescent development and the role of poverty. Reviewer Laura Von Staden suggests more on specific interventions would have strengthened the book.
