This is a direct link to some of the activities I have created and uploaded; however, there are thousands and thousands of activities created by teachers on this site, many of which are free!
* * * * * *
There are many resources that I have relied on at one time or another to
help in my professional development! Here are just some of the
resources that had a strong influence on me professionally!
A Reason to Teach: Creating Classrooms of Dignity and Hope by James Beane
This book discusses ways to make classrooms operate more democratically. James Beane actually came to our school, did some modeling for us in our classrooms, and met with our staff to discuss his ideas. We have incorporated some of the ideas from his book in our classroom, such as using an Idea Box as a means to incorporate student input, as well as a structure to facilitate the research piece in our room.
* * * * * *
I loved reading this book! Brian shares the experiences of his 5th grade students in their quest to fight for a school that they very much deserved. Their school was practically in ruins; therefore, they had been promised a new school. That new school never came, and these students took action! The best part is that these students are not students who come from a wealthy, or even middle-class, supportive family. They come from the projects in Chicago and experience things on a daily basis that I can't even imagine. Yet, Brian empowered them by giving them the tools and avenues to respectfully fight for their rights, which they did!
This book shows you what students, regardless of background, are capable of doing, and how a relevant issue can engage students who have never been engaged in learning before!
Through our partnership with Miami University in Oxford, Ohio we were fortunate to have Brian meet with our staff after we read this book in one of our book clubs. His students' stories truly are amazing!
* * * * * *
Learning to Trust: Transforming Difficult Elementary Classrooms Through Developmental Discipline by Marilyn Watson
Definitely another favorite! This book discusses ways on dealing with discipline that doesn't revolve around consequences, but instead revolves around helping kids grown socially through learning from their mistakes.
This book is not sugar-coated in any way! It feels refreshing to read the experiences this teacher has, as it is real teaching with real issues that we can relate to!! I strongly recommend this book if you want to look at discipline as a means of growth, versus only a consequence.
* * * * * *
Quality Questioning: Research-Based Practice to Engage Every Learner by Jackie A. Walsh and Beth D. Sattes
Quality Questioning discusses various questioning techniques that ensure all students are engaged in classroom instruction! It gives techniques the teacher can use to support student involvement, many of which are simple practices we can change immediately.
Additionally, this book is full of interesting statistics in terms of traditional teacher questioning techniques, student responses, and which students are generally impacted the most (and least) in terms of questioning. The information in this book really is food for thought!
* * * * * *
Through Ebony Eyes by Gail Thompson
As educators, we bring our own background, experiences, beliefs, etc. into the classroom, often times without even realizing it. Unfortunately, this can cause us to clash with the students sitting around us, as their background, experiences, beliefs, etc. may be different from ours. Does that mean we are right and they are wrong, just because we are the teacher? Of course not! However, when educators do not take the time to recognize that their students may do or view things differently because of their own cultural norms, there can be a huge gap in communication between teacher and student.
Through Ebony Eyes helped me, as a white middle-class educator, better connect to and educate my African American students. While I have always felt that relationship-building is one of my strengths, including with my students of differing races and cultures, I discovered some of my own misinterpretations of behaviors and practices of my African American children and families, which only enhanced my relationships with them.
This book is also packed with different statistics, specifically around race and education. This was another book that I had a hard time putting down!
As educators, we bring our own background, experiences, beliefs, etc. into the classroom, often times without even realizing it. Unfortunately, this can cause us to clash with the students sitting around us, as their background, experiences, beliefs, etc. may be different from ours. Does that mean we are right and they are wrong, just because we are the teacher? Of course not! However, when educators do not take the time to recognize that their students may do or view things differently because of their own cultural norms, there can be a huge gap in communication between teacher and student.
Through Ebony Eyes helped me, as a white middle-class educator, better connect to and educate my African American students. While I have always felt that relationship-building is one of my strengths, including with my students of differing races and cultures, I discovered some of my own misinterpretations of behaviors and practices of my African American children and families, which only enhanced my relationships with them.
This book is also packed with different statistics, specifically around race and education. This was another book that I had a hard time putting down!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete