This always seems to be one of those "beginning of the year ice-breaker" questions used in many faculty & staff meetings. In fact, a version of it was asked today in a back-to-school meeting that I attended with a group of teacher leaders.
So I am curious -- what DID YOU read over this past summer vacation?
Your answers can include work/education related books as well as other books. Post your responses in the comments -- I am really looking forward to seeing many responses and possibly learning about some great new books to read!
Here are my responses:
Liberating Learning: Technology, Politics, and the Future of American Education
I have a great deal to say about this book but will save it for an upcoming blog post. It was fascinating to read and I do recommend it for anyone concerned with the state/progress of school reform in our country. It's a great follow-up text to Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
I have not yet finished this book, but I am enjoying it. It's a bit lighter than some of the other books that I have read recently, but it touches on a serious subject. I am sure I am behind the curve on reading this one -- it seems as if many people I know have already read it. Oh well, better late than never!
And of course, I've also been doing lots of reading with my kids! Some of the new books we read this summer include: What's Happening at the Zoo, There's a Mouse About the House, The Dinosaur, and That's Not My Monkey :-)
Now it's your turn... what did you read this summer?
-----------------------
Stephanie Sandifer
Blogs: Change Agency and Young Readers
Author of “Wikified Schools”
I read Garr Reynolds' Presentation Zen and changed the way I present information. However it brought on an awareness that is, at times, painful. Death by Powerpoint really is cruel and unusual punishment!
Our central office staff read Silos, Politics and Turf Wars in preparation for moving toward a service organizatiom. Our principals read Influencer.
I read all of Malcolm Gladwell's books this summer after seeing a huge display for "Outliers" at NECC. I really wasn't very impressed. Gladwell's books do lead to an important train of thought for education, but they don't really seem to consider the important implications themselves. Not to mention each of his books is at least twice as long as they need be to make his point.
-Teach Like you Hair's on Fire---Rafe Esquith
-What Great Teachers Do Differently-- Todd Whitaker
-What Great Principals do Differently-- Todd Whitaker
-Principal Centered LEadership-- Steven Covey
-The Human Side of School Change: Reform, Resistance, and the Real-Life Problems of Innovation-- Robert Evans
-Breathe A Guys Guide tp Pregnancy
--Mason Brown
-Teh Guys Gudie to Surviving Pregnancy--Michael Crider