Ok… I intend to put quite a bit of information on this page, so bear with me!!
Let me start with Professional Development:
I cannot even begin to guess at how many PD books I’ve read over the years! Between two Bachelor’s degrees, a Master’s degree, district-sponsored PD, teaching college classes… I’ve seriously read hundreds!! I took me a long time to come up with a list of the ten that were most influential to me, but – in no particular order – here it goes!!
- The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. The message is simple: If you want to kids to be readers, then help them find great literature and LET THEM READ!!
- Readicide by Kelly Gallagher. I just know that if Kelly Gallagher and I were to meet, we’d be best friends! I’ve read all his books, but this is my favorite!! Are you committing readicide in your classroom?
- Reading Essentials by Regie Routman. Regie ROCKS! Read all her stuff (even the older, totally 80’s and 90’s stuff!! Don’t let the big hair and shoulder pads throw you! She knows what’s UP!!)… but if you find you don’t have time to read them all, then this book will suffice!
- The Reading Zone by Nacie Atwell. I bow down before this goddess of all reading teachers!! She makes my list twice, but seriously, read every single, book she’s ever written! And Google her! Watch her videos. Learn all you can from the wisdom she dispenses!!
- Strategies that Work by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis. This book is legit! Super practical and right on the money. When you order this book from Amazon, throw a hundred million Post-Its into your cart, as well, because your students will be needing them.
- In the Middle by Nancie Atwell. I already told you… Go out and get yourself some Nancie!
- Notice and Note by Kyleen Beers and Robert E. Probst. This book is one of my more recent reads and I LOVE it! This book will get your students close reading like a boss! Easy to read and practical, teach-it-tomorrow lessons.
- Reading Without Nonsense by Frank Smith. When I first read this book I thought Frank was the devil (but I had also just completed college were I learned all about how to conduct nonsense in order to get my students reading!). But now, after years of teaching experience, I’ve come to realize that Frank hits the nail on the head! Stop with the nonsense and just let them read!!
- Rethinking Our Classrooms: Teaching for Equity and Justice. Not only will this make you a better teacher, but a better human being. Read it 🙂
- Reading Reasons by Kelly Gallagher. This book is dripping with ready-to-go lessons! You cannot get more practical than this one!
The 4-1-1 on Reading Instruction:This video breaks down pretty much everything about my reading period (which is 52 minutes per day)
Interactive Students Notebooks (ISNs):Interactive Student Notebooks are my life! They play such an integral part in my reading program! A while back I made a video about how I use ISNs, and I’m reposting it here 🙂
I do sell several of my ISN products in my Teacher’s Pay Teachers store!
