What's your fave education-related book at this time?

[Ginger Lewman]

Have you been reading a book related to education and/or gifted children? What is it? Do you like it, or is there a better one you'd rather tell us about?

Don't forget to put links to the books you like!

[Nancy Bosch]

Unlike a lot of people I love teacher books. I listen to them on my Mp3 while walking the dog or working out at the gym. Some I've listened to or read recently are seven books written by Torey Hayden She taught self contained special ed with an interest in selective mutism in the early 70s. I also listened to Esmee , she wrote about her first year as a teacher. I just finished listening to There are No Shortcuts by Rafe Esquith, a Disney teacher of the year who teachers in inner city LA. I'm sure there are others--but these are the latest one. I'm sure you wanted something a little deeper! You might check out http://firesidelearning.ning.com, they are discussing Courage to Teach by Palmer. Bought the book--read one chapter. N.

[Ginger Lewman]

I'm just taking quick survey of what people are reading. I'm interested in what parents are reading that is education-related, as well as what educators are reading. I'm not pre-supposing or digging for anything "deep." I figured that we'd be able to get a bit of conversation started in seeing commonalities.

I'm currently re-reading "A Whole New Mind" since Dan Pink is going to be at NAGC as the keynote this year. I've got a kid reading my copy of his Free Agent Nation, which is essentially the first chapter to his Whole New Mind.
I'm also involved in a book study group now (must have the book read before April 1) for the book called Influencer: The Power to Change Anything.

You're right that Connie and the folks at Fireside do have a lot of book studies going on. I was recently complaining about how I don't read these types of books, but what do you know? I started listing and I guess I do! I know lots of people do a lot of audio books, but I just can't seem to do that. When I'm working out, my mind/body prefers music and my car commute is ashamedly so short I should just walk it! ;-) Then when I am on longer car trips I like to let my mind go numb, which probably would scare the heck out of other drivers if they knew...

Enough digressions. Thanks for sharing. Would like to hear from others as well!

[Becky L]

"A Whole New Mind" is awesome! That's very exciting that Daniel Pink will be a speaker at NAGC next year.

I'm currently reading "John Adams" by David McCullough, which is not strictly an education book, but I teach the American Revolution and have my students research and write biographies. Also, I really like John Adams and have ever since I saw "Profiles in Courage" when I was in elementary school that was about Adams defending the British soldiers arrested after the Boston Massacre. I read an excerpt from one of Abigail Adams's letters to my class to demonstrate that it is possible to write long letters.

The McCullough book is coming out as an HBO special very soon.

[Ginger Lewman]

My colleagues have wrangled me into reading another book. meh.
However, the book looks to be good, called Influencer: The Power to Change Anything.

It came out this last fall, and I hope that the book arrives at my door soon...the April 1 deadline is approaching. Spring Break would be a good time to be reading!

[Judy Dreeszen]

At this time, I would say my favorite book is Differentiating Reading Instruction by Laura Robb. I am working on my doctorate in this area, and I think this has wonderful, practical ideas that teachers can use in a classroom. From the research I have been doing, however, I know differentiation is not being done. But, I have found there are a few teachers out there who would be willing to do it if someone works with them. I was excited because I will do my research in a 5th grade reading classroom next year, and one of the 4th grade teachers wants to redo her reading and wants to sit and get ideas from us as we collaborate.
Another book that I loved was entitled "Naked Reading." I'm sorry but I don't have the author, but I know if you go to Amazon you'll easily find it.
I know Ginger, I could do the link thing, but I only have a few minutes before my next students come and I wanted to post.

[Conny]

Susan Ohanian's book "When Childhood Collides with NCLB"

It really resonates!

[Elise van der Zee]

I love Linda Levitt's book What to Do When your Child is Smarter than You, http://books.google.com/books?id=arFOYykHIDIC&pg=PA123&lpg=... She is a hoot, good information too! It's fiction, but I like Welcome to the Ark too.
Teaching Outside the Box by the lady from Dangerous Mind is fun too.

[Nancy Bosch]

Read Against Medical Advice by James Patterson (ed-related) and The Road by Cormac McCarthy (not ed-related) this weekend.

[Becky L]

I have been reading Lucy Calkins series on teaching writing, Units of Study for Teaching Writing, Grades 3-5. It's not specifically for gifted children, but it's a great writing curriculum. She uses the writers workshop model and has a book/unit for each of six genres. I like it because it is so detailed -- almost anything I'm having a problem with, I can find advice in the book. I also like it because she gives the student a lot of autonomy -- each child is in charge of his/her subject matter choices and planning how he/she will go about working each day.

[Ginger Lewman]

I also have recently read Brain Rules by John Medina and I highly recommend all educators read it. Afterall, shouldn't we know all the latest brain research? Shouldn't our mechanics know the latest about engine technology?

[Angie]

I just visited the UNESCO main headquarters in Paris (with the Eiffel Tower in view) and was surprised to see a book in their bookstore titled, Educating Students with High Ability by Catherine Clark and Bruce M. Shore (2004). Of course, I had to buy it. I read most of the book on the boring 9 hour flight home to Texas and liked what I read. The main thrust of the book is 'how does one identify and educate high potential students when there are little to no resources available'. I had not thought about educating the high potential (which I like the term better than gifted) outside of a school district. This book made me think of the dedicated teacher in rural India standing on a dirt floor with a old chalkboard. She/he sees the difference in a student who thinks quicker than most. What can this teacher do to meet the need of this student?

Is there some way that we can support these teachers?

[Nancy Bosch]

I liked 3 Cups of Tea. Listened to the audio book, thinking about getting a class set of the junior edition since it will certainly tie into what's happening in Afganistan and Pakistan.

Also Monday night, April 6, there is a new series starting on Discovery Health called Unlocking Austism.