My Favorite Professional Reads This Summer

Summer is a great time to catch up on professional reads.  The past 2 summers my professional reads were literacy based since I was working on my masters degree.  Besides the change of pace this summer, I enjoyed these books because they were uplifting and practical.

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1. Kids First From Day One by Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz

I did a book study with other Kindergarten teachers in my district.  We had great conversation and I love that this book is very applicable to primary teachers.  Usually when I read a professional book I have brainstorm how I can apply what I learned into my Kindergarten classroom, but Kids First From Day One is full of anchor charts, strategies, and resources for Kindergarten and First Grade teachers.  The book shows us how our students are the most important people in the room.  I enjoyed the plans for classroom design, positive language, and instructional strategies.

2. From Striving to Thriving : How to Grow Capable Confident Readers by Annie Ward and Stephanie Harvey

Dav Pilkey, the author of Captain Underpants, wrote the foreward for this book.  It.  Is.  Amazing.  I didn't know he had learning difficulties as a kid and the foreward details how his teachers killed his love for reading.  Instead, his mom cultivated a love for reading by allowing him to select books that interested him.  This book emphasizes the value of creating lifelong readers and levels are simply a teacher's tool NOT a label for our students.

3. The Wild Card by Hope and Wade King

Hope and Wade teach at the Ron Clark Academy and I am always inspired by their methods for engaging students. They remind us to not settle for good enough and choose joy.  Despite a student's circumstances, Hope and Wade encourage teachers to "be the wild card" that makes the difference.  Even if you are not creative, Hope and Wade show you how they engage students with room transformations, songs, and more.

4. Culturize by Jimmy Casas

Confession- I have not finished this book.  Before I even started reading, the quotes my friends were posting on Twitter already inspired me.  Jimmy Casas shares insight on why we can't lose sight of soft skills such as kindness and compassion while building on our academic standards.  More importantly, the book is practical and applicable for teachers or administrators.

5. The Path to Serendipity by Allyson Apsey

I am in the #CompelledTribe with Allyson and it has been so fun to get to know her.  She is positive and inspires our group to push forward.  When I heard she was publishing a book, I knew it would not disappoint.  If you want to read a book that captures your heart page after page, this is it.  She owns who she is and strives to see the silver lining in all situations.