by I recently published my 2017 summer reading suggestions for educators, but here is an equally radical list from 2002! See my 2006 recommendations too.
School’s almost out, and it’s the perfect time to get in some interesting reading that will reinvigorate you for September
From the June 2002 issue of District Administration
One of the best ways to spend the summer is curled up with a good book. The following are nominees for books that will inspire, provoke or entertain educators. Professional development for you and your staff is only a bookstore away. Why not stay connected with your colleagues this summer by starting a book club? You can find all of these books and more here.
Summer Reading
[easyazon_link identifier=”080773750X” locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]The Book of Learning and Forgetting[/easyazon_link] by Frank Smith
This may well be the most beautiful, clear and pro-found book ever written about learning and overcoming the obstacles to learning created by schools. Smith paints a gorgeous picture of what real learning is and explains how it differs from what he calls the official theory of learning.
[easyazon_link identifier=”077043567X” locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]Ordinary Resurrections: Children in the Years of Hope[/easyazon_link] by Jonathan Kozol
Jonathan Kozol’s latest book about the lives and education of poor kids will touch your heart. One of my all-time favorite books.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0071383263″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]What Happened to Recess and Why Are Our Children Struggling in Kindergarten[/easyazon_link]? by Susan Ohanian
I adore every book written by this master teacher, humorist and educational critic. Her most recent book explores the human cost of our current testing-mania, shares teaching anecdotes and discusses what parents are doing to make schools more playful places to learn.
[easyazon_link identifier=”080774087X” locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]American Psychology and Schools: A Critique[/easyazon_link] by Seymour Sarason
Prolific author, educator and psychologist Sarason candidly investigates the question, “Where has the American psychological community been during the heightened concern over standardized testing and school violence?” He offers hypotheses for this disinterest in schools and explores the damage to the public welfare caused by the collective silence of the psychological community.
Leadership
[easyazon_link identifier=”0997554312″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]The Inner Principal[/easyazon_link] by David Loader
Veteran principal David Loader courageously explores the joys, challenges and inner conflicts of being a school principal. His accomplishments on behalf of kids will inspire school leaders. Teachers will give their principals a hug.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0767907698″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]Slack: Getting Past Burnout, Busywork, and the Myth of Total Efficiency[/easyazon_link] by Tom Demarco
The latest book by this management guru argues that effective organizations need slack to nurture out-of-the-box thinking and productivity, particularly among knowledge workers.
One for Each Level
The following books are designed to appeal to elementary, middle school and high school teachers.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0313359814″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach Advanced Reflections[/easyazon_link] by Edwards, Gandini and Forman (Editors)
This remarkable book should be read and re-read by every educator. It seems to contain solutions to every educational problem. While the city of Reggio Emilia focuses on early childhood education, there are numerous lessons to be learned by teachers at all levels.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0325003289″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]Caught in the Middle—Nonstandard Kids and the Killing Curriculum[/easyazon_link] by Susan Ohanian
Ohanian makes the case for a learner-centered approach to the middle grades from her amusing perspective.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0325003246″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]Rethinking High School: Best Practice in Teaching[/easyazon_link] by Daniels, Bizar and Zemelman
A six-year case study of the planning through graduation of a new Chicago school committed to preparing students for the 21st century.
Technology
Internet & Computer Ethics for Kids: (and Parents & Teachers Who Haven’t Got a Clue) by [easyazon_link identifier=”0962870056″ locale=”US” tag=”neweasyazon-20″]Winn Schwartau[/easyazon_link]
This book explores a large quantity of ethical issues facing citizens in the digital age. While written for adolescents, adults will find the description of ethical dilemmas, the law and common sense useful in making sense of this confusing era.
Veteran educator Gary Stager, Ph.D. is the author of Twenty Things to Do with a Computer – Forward 50, co-author of Invent To Learn — Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, publisher at Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, and the founder of the Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute. He led professional development in the world’s first 1:1 laptop schools thirty years ago and designed one of the oldest online graduate school programs. Gary is also the curator of The Seymour Papert archives at DailyPapert.com. Learn more about Gary here.