No, not for my students, but for me!
So far, I’ve got two teaching books and a literary nonfiction book on my list, and I’m always looking for suggestions (hint, hint).
- Back when I did my series on great teaching, one of the books I added to my wishlist was Teach Like a Champion. I first read about this taxonomy of 49 teaching techniques in this NYT magazine cover story, and instantly became intrigued. The book comes with a DVD so that throughout the book, there are clips to demonstrate the techniques in the taxonomy, and what I’ve managed to skim seems clear and concrete, exactly up my alley.
- The second teaching book on my list is Understanding By Design, which I borrowed from a colleague after reading a lot about it over the past few years. I think I first saw it at Dana Huff’s, which makes sense as she has blogged pretty extensively about her experiences with it, and also set up the UbD Educators Wiki. My colleague also raved about it, so I’m looking forward to digging in. If I find it useful, maybe I’ll order a copy to keep, and perhaps also the workbook.
- About a year ago, the book-buzz was focused on Shop Class as Soulcraft, beginning with a NYT magazine article/excerpt and continuing with more attention in a longer review. Some of my favorite bloggers discussed the book and considered parenting as soulcraft and the ramifications of romancing tradework. I finally picked it up in paperback and am looking forward to seeing it with a clear buzz-free perspective.
I’d really love a few good novels to round it out, plus a poolside book or two. Any hot leads, leave them in the comments!
Thanks for sharing your summer reading list; I’ve just requested _Understanding by Design_ and _Teach Like a Champion_ from my library and will look forward to both of them!
I’ve just started reading Mark Frauenfelder’s _Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World_, which perhaps hits some of the same points as _Shop Class as Soulcraft_ (or perhaps not; I haven’t read the latter and have only just started the former).
Ooooh, I like that title! I hope you enjoy the teaching books–I plan to blog some while I’m reading them and look forward to hearing what you have to say.
I, too, have Understanding by Design. My peer book study group at school started this book…right at the end of the year and decided to postpone it until August. BUT I would love to read and share with you over the summer as you read and reflect!
Tammy, that would be great! I would love to have a peer book study group at my own school too, but until then, a summertime blog-along-read-along would be just about right!
Pingback: Summer Reading, Part Two « A Patchwork Life
Pingback: 2010: A Recap | A Patchwork Life
Pingback: Summer Reading Thoughts | Jackie Is Reading…..