Below are just a few of the resources that have helped me out tremendously during my time as an educator. Additionally, I have included books that have influenced my learning and teaching of history.
Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice, by Howard Gardner
I don't think there's one teacher that isn't at least aware of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. I chose to include his book because it was essentially my foray into the research of teacher education. It was the first book I read in my preparation of becoming a teacher, and thus, the first information into the theory of actually being a teacher that I experienced. Before reading Multiple Intelligences, I hadn't put much thought into how specific children learn. Quite simply, I thought they were either smart or not smart, and either learned the information, or didn't. Little did I know this was far from the truth, and I have Gardner to thank.
I don't think there's one teacher that isn't at least aware of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. I chose to include his book because it was essentially my foray into the research of teacher education. It was the first book I read in my preparation of becoming a teacher, and thus, the first information into the theory of actually being a teacher that I experienced. Before reading Multiple Intelligences, I hadn't put much thought into how specific children learn. Quite simply, I thought they were either smart or not smart, and either learned the information, or didn't. Little did I know this was far from the truth, and I have Gardner to thank.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed, by Paulo Freire
I have a love/hate relationship with Freire's book. Never the biggest a fan of sesquipedalian syntax, I vacillated at the perplexity of the scrawl subsumed within the complex compendium. See what I did there? Simply put, I don't like the use of big words to make one sound smart. And, while Pedagogy of the Oppressed is far more than that, it makes trudging through its pages quite difficult without a thesaurus. That said, this book really opened my eyes to an approach of teaching everyone, and that every learner is capable of learning, and even has the knowledge, they simply need to be critical thinkers and kind.
I have a love/hate relationship with Freire's book. Never the biggest a fan of sesquipedalian syntax, I vacillated at the perplexity of the scrawl subsumed within the complex compendium. See what I did there? Simply put, I don't like the use of big words to make one sound smart. And, while Pedagogy of the Oppressed is far more than that, it makes trudging through its pages quite difficult without a thesaurus. That said, this book really opened my eyes to an approach of teaching everyone, and that every learner is capable of learning, and even has the knowledge, they simply need to be critical thinkers and kind.
For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too, by Christopher Emdin
Atlanta, and the Deep South, in general, can be a tough place to go to school as a student, but also as an educator. Emdin employs what he calls Reality Pedagogy, which he describes as a teaching method that “focuses on the cultural understandings of students within a particular social space." This was the first book that really made me think about going beyond the curriculum in a classroom and implementing a sense of community building within the space. I highly recommend this book to all educators, regardless of the setting in which they work.
Atlanta, and the Deep South, in general, can be a tough place to go to school as a student, but also as an educator. Emdin employs what he calls Reality Pedagogy, which he describes as a teaching method that “focuses on the cultural understandings of students within a particular social space." This was the first book that really made me think about going beyond the curriculum in a classroom and implementing a sense of community building within the space. I highly recommend this book to all educators, regardless of the setting in which they work.
Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms, by Ruth Schoenbach, Cynthia Greenleaf, and Lynn Murphy
This book really opened my eyes to the Reading Apprenticeship Framework, which is basically another way of saying a way of helping students become better readers. While, based on its title, it may sound like the book is only for college students, but the teachings in this book can be used in classrooms and with students of all ages. And, in all subject areas. Each strategy in the book is broken down between content area, giving usable examples of how to instruct within each.
This book really opened my eyes to the Reading Apprenticeship Framework, which is basically another way of saying a way of helping students become better readers. While, based on its title, it may sound like the book is only for college students, but the teachings in this book can be used in classrooms and with students of all ages. And, in all subject areas. Each strategy in the book is broken down between content area, giving usable examples of how to instruct within each.
Improving Adolescent Literacy: Content Area Strategies at Work, by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
Much like Reading for Understanding, Improving Adolescent Literacy gives teachers and those aspiring to become teachers the tools necessary for helping their students master literacy and reading comprehension skills. I particularly like this book because it specifically touches on working with English Language Learners, a population of students that I have been able to work with hands-on during my time as a student teacher. Also much like Reading for Understanding, this book gives strategies that extend past the reading and language arts classrooms.
Much like Reading for Understanding, Improving Adolescent Literacy gives teachers and those aspiring to become teachers the tools necessary for helping their students master literacy and reading comprehension skills. I particularly like this book because it specifically touches on working with English Language Learners, a population of students that I have been able to work with hands-on during my time as a student teacher. Also much like Reading for Understanding, this book gives strategies that extend past the reading and language arts classrooms.
"Every kid needs a champion", by Rita Pierson
Over the years, TED Talks have become increasingly more popular. And, this one by Rita Pierson is certainly no exception. Much like For White Folks did, Rita's TED Talk really opened my eyes to what it means to be a teacher. Clearly, we all know we aren't doing it for the money, else most of us would probably not be here. We're doing it because we want to make a difference in the lives of young people. And, what better way to do that than by actually connecting with them on a "real, human, personal level." I think they need that.
Over the years, TED Talks have become increasingly more popular. And, this one by Rita Pierson is certainly no exception. Much like For White Folks did, Rita's TED Talk really opened my eyes to what it means to be a teacher. Clearly, we all know we aren't doing it for the money, else most of us would probably not be here. We're doing it because we want to make a difference in the lives of young people. And, what better way to do that than by actually connecting with them on a "real, human, personal level." I think they need that.
Those Who Can: Why Master Teachers Do What They Do, by Neil Bright
This book is chocked FULL of great knowledge and resources that actually show what a great teacher needs to do to create dynamic lessons. Education is a pretty thankless job, and one that comes with many regulations from those who've never stepped foot in a classroom. While that may not change anytime soon, it's good to know references like this one are available, written from those with years of hands-on, proven teacher experience in the classroom. Those Who Can doesn't just tell you how to teach, it shows you. That goes a long way.
This book is chocked FULL of great knowledge and resources that actually show what a great teacher needs to do to create dynamic lessons. Education is a pretty thankless job, and one that comes with many regulations from those who've never stepped foot in a classroom. While that may not change anytime soon, it's good to know references like this one are available, written from those with years of hands-on, proven teacher experience in the classroom. Those Who Can doesn't just tell you how to teach, it shows you. That goes a long way.
A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
As I said above, in addition to pedagogy- and teaching-specific books, I'm also including books that have reinforced and influenced my understanding of and teaching of history. I don't think any such list is complete without A People's History of the United States, especially in American History. Written from the perspective of the ordinary and oppressed people of America and the United States, Zinn's book paints the picture that the founding of our country wasn't as pretty as many think. And, that's a good thing to learn considering history should be viewed from multiple lenses.
As I said above, in addition to pedagogy- and teaching-specific books, I'm also including books that have reinforced and influenced my understanding of and teaching of history. I don't think any such list is complete without A People's History of the United States, especially in American History. Written from the perspective of the ordinary and oppressed people of America and the United States, Zinn's book paints the picture that the founding of our country wasn't as pretty as many think. And, that's a good thing to learn considering history should be viewed from multiple lenses.
All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
I'm including this book on the list because if it weren't for it, I may not have become a teacher. This book sparked my interest in history, and thus teaching of history. Since reading this book as a teenager, my interest in World War I has spiked tremendously, and I look forward to the opportunity to teach about the subject. While All Quiet on the Western Front is technically a work of fiction, it's historically accurate, and depicts soldier life in the trenches very well. This book is a must read for anyone that enjoys history.
I'm including this book on the list because if it weren't for it, I may not have become a teacher. This book sparked my interest in history, and thus teaching of history. Since reading this book as a teenager, my interest in World War I has spiked tremendously, and I look forward to the opportunity to teach about the subject. While All Quiet on the Western Front is technically a work of fiction, it's historically accurate, and depicts soldier life in the trenches very well. This book is a must read for anyone that enjoys history.
1776, by David McCullough
1776 is another widely-known and widely-read book of history by one of the finest historians of our time, David McCullough. I've included this book because the time surrounding and events leading up to the Revolutionary War are, in my opinion, some of the most fascinating and enthralling in the history of our country. Surrounding mostly the events, actions, and leadership of George Washington, McCullough does a fascinating job at retelling, with seemingly wondrous historical accuracy, the battles of the War that led to the America's independence from Great Britain. A great book for anyone that enjoys learning about the history of the United States and its founding.
1776 is another widely-known and widely-read book of history by one of the finest historians of our time, David McCullough. I've included this book because the time surrounding and events leading up to the Revolutionary War are, in my opinion, some of the most fascinating and enthralling in the history of our country. Surrounding mostly the events, actions, and leadership of George Washington, McCullough does a fascinating job at retelling, with seemingly wondrous historical accuracy, the battles of the War that led to the America's independence from Great Britain. A great book for anyone that enjoys learning about the history of the United States and its founding.