5 Books for Boosting Classroom Leadership Skills
by Logan Juve Janicula, Integrated Special Education Program Specialist
Students aren’t the only ones who are enjoying the summer season. Teachers, too, deserve this well-earned break to visit the beach, take in a trip or binge watch their favorite series on Netflix. Some teachers, though, will find that summer is an excellent time to own their own professional development through various workshops, training or even through resources at the local library. Here are five books that we recommend to kick off teachers’ summer reading:
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
By Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Though this national bestseller is typically marketed as a parenting guide, the wisdom from its authors related to the power of words means just as much in a school setting. This book contains numerous concrete examples and scenarios related to communicating effectively and encouraging students to express themselves and can be a helpful desktop reference.
By Doug Lemov
With lesson plans and accompanying videos detailing concrete and actionable strategies for everything from classroom management to student engagement, this book is a must-read for veteran and new teachers alike. You’ll thank us in the fall.
By Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, Aja Settles, and Juliana Worrell
Excellent early literacy instruction is crucial in eliminating the achievement gap. This practical guide gives clear instructions for promoting literacy in the early grades and includes lesson plan samples and video clips to support internalization. After reading this text, teachers will be ready to roll with teaching reading habits, guided reading and independent reading skills.
By Eric Jensen
An educator and brain expert, Eric Jensen combines information about students who live in poverty and the changes in brain chemistry that can result. Jensen suggests that teachers must consider brain science when teaching students in these settings in a practical and thought-provoking read.
By Ross W. Greene, PhD
In this research-based and thoughtful text, Dr. Greene outlines the current ways in which school-based behavior systems are failing and offers an alternative: Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS). Through CPS, adults are encouraged to focus on the underlying factors which contribute to challenging behaviors in order to address these factors in a positive and helpful way. Dr. Green provides both the theory and the practical applications to implement positive behavior interventions at both a school and classroom level.
Share your summer reading suggestions! ➟ @RocketshipEd
Logan came to Rocketship in 2013 after spending three years in a neighboring district in east San Jose. She learned about Rocketship’s inspired full inclusion model and knew within her first days as a Rocketeer that she was in the right place to influence change for all students. Logan is most inspired by her students who seem to inherently understand that learning can be messy and difficult, but who are willing to jump in headfirst anyway. Logan lives with her husband and her dog in sunny Santa Cruz and spends her extra time playing on the beaches or hiking underneath the redwood trees in her backyard. Follow Logan on Twitter: @loganjuve
Published on July 11, 2016
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