Might As Well Face It (I'm addicted to books)

The words have changed slightly from the Robert Palmer hit song of my youth but the message is similar!After coming home from the recent MRA (Michigan Reading Association) conference, I realized I had a problem.  My back was aching, my bag was ripping, and a smile was spreading across my face.  I had just acquired the above books hoping to inspire myself and the teachers I work with. The conference was filled with wonderful speakers sharing best practices and innovative ways to reach children.  When a book is touted by an educator I admire, I can't help myself, I must have it!  As I stacked them all up I concluded I had given myself a massive reading assignment.  Looking at my new books made me think nostagically about some of the author/educators and titles that have inspired my teaching through the years.  This blog is about some of those books!



In the past few months I have read The Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know and Everyday Editing.  These are absolute musts if you are teaching kids to write.  Everday Editing will help you understand why DOL is DOA.  The Ten Things will give you relevant methods and examples to bring writing to life for your students.

 

Are you curious why many kids hate to read?  These books will give you motivation to turn things around for the readers in your class.  Choice is important!   Teachers like control but sometimes we need to loosen the reins and let kids read what they want to read.

 

Richard Allington has such wise advice that he backs up with research, powerful reseach.  His What Really Matters series explains,analyzes, and dissects many reading topics that sometimes baffle us as educators.  The best part is he always puts the puzzle back together by giving realistic and timely recommendations to improve instruction.



The writing in this comprehension guide is direct and meaningful.  As soon as a teacher sets it down, they can literally walk into the classroom and put the ideas immediately into practice.  Miller will show you how to build thoughtful and strategic readers.

 

These two slim books are jam packed with useful mini lessons for a reader and writer notebook.  If you haven't used notebooks with your students these books will encourage and guide you in starting.  The tips and plans will help you effortless add substance to your literacy block.

What I truly love about the above books is that they are practical, timely, and classic.  Not one of the above books will require a dictionary by your side.  You will not be bogged down in statistic after statistic.  You will not be bombarded with suggestions that seem impossible.  Did I mention that they are all thin?  You will not find a recommendation of 400+ pages (in a font size 10 no less) here!  I am all about useful recommendations.

These are just some of the career altering books I recommend.  I have cabinets full of even more (please don't report me to the show Hoarders) but I wanted to start small and simple.  If you have a recommendation I would love to hear it.  Perhaps some of my newly purchased books will be added to my favorites soon!