Welcome to summer! This is the perfect time of year for future teachers and veteran teachers alike tackle a few books on the “to be read” list. Let’s be honest…there isn’t always time for a lot of pleasure reading or even professional development books during the school year. Personally, I love to choose a good book or two each summer that will help enhance my classroom instruction. If you’re looking for a great way to spark your motivation for teaching or open your mind to new teaching practices, here are a few great books for new or returning teachers.
Whether you are a first-year teacher or your teaching career has spanned decades, there are things all of us could learn to have more effective teaching practices. After all, we as teachers set the tone for student learning within the walls of our classrooms. These books offer practical guidance and professional development suggestions to help you become the motivating, effective teacher you’ve always wanted to be!
This book offers innovative lesson plans and teaching best practices that will reignite your passion for teaching and engage your students in their active learning.
In her book, Raising the Rigor, Eileen Depka focuses on the instructional technique of “questioning.” She shares how thoughtful questioning can be used to increase critical thinking skills in both young children and older students alike.
Packed with practical tips and inspirational stories, this great book focuses on the notion that teachers must first cultivate a practice of mindfulness in their own lives if they are going to support their students in creating this same habit.
Alright, if you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that classroom management is one of my passion topics! Why? Because I really struggled with it as a new teacher! In fact, it was these difficult years that inspired me to create my own classroom management resource: The Ultimate Guide to Classroom Management. If you can relate to this common struggle, here are a few books you might want to read:
In this book, author Paul Dix suggests that effective classroom management must begin with understanding our students, their behaviors, life experiences, and potential traumas.
This book offers practical exercises and tangible tips that teachers can use to help their students become more internalized in their discipline and behavior choices, rather than relying on external forces such as rewards and punishments.
Psychologist and educator, Thomas Lickona, offers practical advice that teachers and school districts can use to help students build strong personal character.
In this popular book, the authors share good ideas that teachers can use to create a classroom community in which students and teachers can work together to overcome behavioral issues.
In this book, the authors offer teaching methods and strategies that will transform disciplinary moments from stressful situations into learning experiences that improve effectiveness and create positive change in your relationships with your students.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t resist a good story about an inspiring teacher! Whether it’s a book or a made for TV movie (looking at you, Ron Clark) – there’s just something about stories of teachers working hard and making a difference in the lives of their students that makes me want to be a better teacher! If you’re in need of a good book that will “get you in the feels” — here are some inspirational teacher stories you should check out:
This books is a collection of essays written by the students of then new teacher, Erin Gruwell. These students were considered to be the “unteachable students” but, despite their obstacles, each of these students went on to graduate high school.
In this inspiring book, more than fifteen of today’s most impactful teachers share the stories of the teachers and administrators who made a positive impact in their own lives, ultimately inspiring them to pursue a career in education.
It’s a good idea for all teachers to occasionally read books pertaining specifically to their own subject matter. Just as the field of science is constantly evolving to keep up with new technologies and discoveries, so too is the field of science education. Here are a few great books for or returning teachers that can help take your science instruction to the next level!
This book offers powerful strategies and specific examples that teachers can use when implementing STEAM education practices within their own classroom.
In this groundbreaking book, author Emily Morgan shares how engaging children’s picture books can be combined with standards based science content to create lessons that engage our students and guide them towards deeper science inquiry.
This book is packed with advice for the middle and high school science teacher! It has everything from fun science game suggestions to tips for increasing mathematical skills needed within the science curriculum.
I don’t care how old your students are, or what subject you teach…read aloud time is something all students and teachers can enjoy! A good read aloud book can be a great way to start or end each class period. They could have a connection to your current content topic or read for the pure pleasure of the story. Either way, time spent each day (or week) reading aloud to your students is time well spent! Here are some great books that can be used as read aloud’s in the middle school science classroom:
In this book, students will learn of the shocking true story about the twentieth century watch painters and the deadly scandal they found themselves wrapped up in.
This science mystery book focuses on a seventh grade protagonist on a hunt for an unusual fish. This book’s unique combination of humor and mystery will have your students begging for more!
Eddy, a middle school student with Asperger’s Syndrome, uses his unique brain and problem-solving abilities to solve a problem at his school. This is a great book for teaching about disabilities and acceptance, as well as the engineering process.
Continue the discussion in my Facebook Group for Middle School Science Teachers or my Classroom Management Facebook Group.
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