I read. A lot! When I'm at leisure or between workshops, I am happiest with a book in my hand. Here's my most recent non-fiction reading list.
Current Reading List
"Disrupting Class" by Clayton Christensen. Very thought-provoking book that needs to be read and digested. Much of what I've learned I've put into my teaching practice. Highly recommended.
"Web Literacy for Educators" by Alan November. This is Alan's latest book and well worth reading by anyone working with children in the 21st Century.
"The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player" by John C. Maxwell. Wonderful analysis of team building with clear guidelines.
"You Don't Need a Title to be a Leader" by Mark Sanborn - Nor does having a title make you a leader! Ha! Great read!
"Our Iceberg is Melting - Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions" by John Kotter. Love this quick, amusing and very thought-provoking book about team building and leadership. Watch out for the "No-No's" in any team!
"The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni. Essential reading for anyone trying to impact change.
"The Wisdom of Crowds" by James Surowiecki (more to follow)
"Here Comes Everybody" by Clay Shirsky (more to follow)
"Transforming Schools with Technology - How Smart Use of Digital Tools Helps Achieve Six Key Educational Goals" by Andrew A. Zucker (more to follow)
"Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms" by Will Richardson. An essential read as well as keeping up with Will on his blog.
"Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom" by Carol Ann Tomlinson. I'm a great fan of Carol Ann's since I met her at the ASCD conference in June, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. A talented educator who's made a significant impact on education in the US.
Thoughts on Readings
I ponder about what I read. Increasingly, I've become fascinated about how children think, how technology can reach the diverse learner and how a well-organized, highly functional professional development team can change teacher practice to reach all students.
I've created this "Readings and Ruminations" blog so I can record my thoughts and talk with similarly minded educators like you. I plan to discuss specific books that have stimulated my thoughts on improving teacher practice...sort of like an international book club online. Be sure to comment when you visit.
