What Are You Reading: May 2017

We start each month by sharing what we're reading - both for work and for fun. Join us by using the comments to share what you're reading. Click here for previous reading lists.

Meghan writes, "I've downloaded the audio book version of Mindfulness by Mark Williams to start tomorrow.  It is an 8 week program, so hopefully I'll be in a calmer state of mind by summer!"

Heather is reading Notice and Note Nonfiction by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst. She writes, "Yes, I am still reading this book. :)  It didn't quite make my spring break beach bag."

Sharon is reading Unshakeable: 20 Ways to Enjoy Teaching Everyday by Angela Watson. Sharon writes, "This is a link to a podcast conversation as the author interviews a Wisconsin teacher who went from burnout to Teacher of the Year utilizing components of the book, ie. to-do lists and changing  your story."

.

Jaimie is reading The Writing Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo. Jaimie writes, "This book just came out in February after last year's publication of The Reading Strategies Book. These books are great resources for mini-lessons, conferring, and strategy groups.  Very teacher friendly and ready to use."

Jaimie is reading Alone: Could You Survive? by D.J. Brazier. She writes, "This is a young adult book that my third grade son just brought home from school.  We started reading it together and it is a very engaging and suspenseful book.  Very similar to Gary Paulson's, Hatchet."

Lisa is reading Identical by Ellen Hopkins. She explains, "Written as narrative poetry, this is the story of identical twins who are complete opposites personality-wise. The twins hold a secret about abuse that is occurring between a family member and one of them, as they attempt to cope with the trauma of a car accident, caused by their father, a judge. The shocking story unfolds as the twins alternate perspectives, chapter to chapter."  

Carrie is reading The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. It is a selection she's offering to her middle school students for the end of the year book club.

Maggie read The Hollow Boy by Johnathan Stroud.

Andrea sent this picture of the stack of professional books she's reading and later added that she started with Hanging In: Strategies for Teaching the Students Who Challenge us Most by Jeffrey Benson.  She writes, "I just started it and I am in love with it.  (I started it yesterday per Barb's recommendation when I sent her a picture of my "To Be Read" pile.) The book is designed to provide real life student situations and the strategies used to analyze the challenges and to develop individual plans.  So far the most important takeaways (and I'm only on page 35) are 'Don't ask challenging students to do what they can't do. Don't set them up for failure that will have no redeeming possibilities.'

• Identify places where students who are escalating can calm down.
• Develop structures that allow staff who are working closely with challenging students to communicate their progress.  
• Review each year the list of absolute rules and consequences and keep them to a minimum."

Julie is reading Guided Inquiry Design: A Framework for Inquiry in Your School

by Carol C. Kuhlthau, Leslie K. Maniotes, and Ann K. Caspari. Julie writes, "Guided Inquiry is an innovative team approach to teaching and learning where teachers and school librarians, with other experts and specialists, join together to design and implement inquiry learning.  It engages children in constructing personal knowledge while using a wide range of sources of information and creatively sharing their learning their fellow students in an inquiry community. Guided Inquiry Design is grounded in the research of the Information Search Process (ISP) that describes students’ process of learning from a variety of information sources in extensive research projects.  The ISP research goes inside the inquiry process to reveal ways to guide students in deep engaging learning."

Meghan just finished Grit by Angela Duckworth. She writes, "What wonderful research for teachers, parents, and anyone looking to know how to join passion and perseverance for success!"

Maggie strongly recommends listening to the audio version of The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz! In the year 1242, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn to tell the tales of three children. The narrator collects the tales of their adventures as their stories come together.

Maggie also read Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Meghan read Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. She writes, "Excellent coming of age story to help the reader think about how to respond when we see injustice."

Meghan also read Mexican Whiteboy by Matt De La Pena. She explains, "I've been wanting to read this since I researched De La Pena last year for our Coaching Network meeting, but I just started it as the text in an intervention with an ELL student.  It is really offering 'windows and mirrors' for both me and the student-reader."

Andrea writes, "I am reading The Red Queen because my daughters love it and they are forcing me too.  So far, I have to agree, it's pretty good!"

Maggie is currently reading Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy. She writes, "When Alice is diagnosed with cancer, she enlists her friend Harvey to help her get revenge on those who've wronged her. Her plans go awry, however, when she goes into a remission and has to face the consequences of her actions."

Heather is reading Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. She writes, "This has been a powerful read so far. I highly recommend this book, and I cannot review it better than her website- click here."

Jaimie uses Teachers' College Reading and Writing Project Facebook groups. Jaimie writes, "I  have found so many great suggestions, resources, and comments on these pages. Lucy herself is on the pages all the time and answers many of the questions that are posted.  If you use the Units of Study, becoming a member of these groups is a must."