If you are anything like me, curling up with a good book next to a warm heater or fireplace is the ideal way to spend winter break. And while I wouldn’t want you to spend too much time ruminating over the first half of what must have been the most wild school year, I’m hoping these books provide some inspiration for what’s possible in 2021!
Here are some of my favorites:
- The Innovators’ Mindset by George Couros: Innovation isn’t just reserved for the wacky artist or off the wall inventor. It’s for all of us. Find creative ways to unleash it from wherever you are to re-imagine learning for your students. From simple ways to infuse technology to student curated digital portfolios, this book is packed with simple tips on how to become more innovative in your classroom.
- Most Likely to Succeed by Tony Wagner: CoVid 19 has certainly asked us all to re-think the purpose of education. With students able to learn anytime, anywhere, it’s less about content and more about equipping them with the skills to learn on their own. This book is packed full of inspiring case studies and provocative questions to create more student-centered experiences.
- The Zen Teacher by Dan Tricarico: Let’s face it, after 2020, all of us could use a little more ‘zen’ in the classroom (whether remote or in-person). This book not only helps you find that Zen, but helps ask you deeper, more reflective questions around how you treat yourself. After all, how can we create a sense of calm for students if we don’t possess it ourselves?
- Wild Card by Hope and Wade King: Remember when you first became a teacher and you taught as if your hair was on fire?! I know I do. I had gobs of energy back then. After 10+ years of teaching, you may be struggling to find that same spark. This book will help you find it! Written by a classroom teaching couple, they share anecdotes, tips and stories that will have you crying and laughing out loud at the same time. In the meantime, you will walk away with a tool belt full of strategies to kick butt in the new year!
- Invent to Learn by Gary Stager and Sylvia Libow Martinez : This is by far my favorite book for hands-on learning. Through simple design frameworks and provocative questions the authors will help you envision what hands on learning can look like even in a remote setting. From elaborate classroom re-design, to building computer games and real world projects, you will walk away ready to enliven content and get messy!
Make sure you have a group to read with! Innovation doesn’t happen in silos. I meet every other week with a brilliant group of educators and get so much more through processing the content together with them. If you don’t have a reading group, reach out. ;) We would be happy to have you join ours.