You are what you read. You also tend to teach and parent what you read, too. Fortunately, this past decade has provided us with a number of great books to guide our instructional and parenting practice so that we may grow the best kids possible.
I’ve selected 20 titles ranging from insightful books on educational leadership and reform to critical guides on instructional practice to important works for parents to gain a better understanding of what schools should be doing for their children. Some had their original publications before this decade, but new editions have sustained their relevance.
Needless to say, choosing just 20 books will shortchange many outstanding titles. But these offer a great place to start, and I invite all readers to leave further recommendations in the comment section below. I also encourage you to pick up these titles as a late holiday gift for any educators on your list or, if you are an educator and have not read them yet, make them a part of your New Year's resolution!
I’ve put the books into a slideshow below with brief comments about each. They are not in any particular order, as they are all well worth your time. Here is a list of the books with links to further information:
Breakthrough by Michael Fullan, Peter Hill & Carmel Crevola
Guiding Readers and Writers by Irene Fountas & Gay Su Pinnell
It's Being Done: Academic Success in Unexpected Schools by
Karin Chenoweth
Lead With Me by Gayle Moller & Anita Pankake
Results Now by Michael Schmoker
School Reform from the Inside Out by Richard Elmore
Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching
Developmentally by John A. Van de Walle
The Art of Teaching Reading by Lucy Calkins
The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner
The Shame of the Nation by Jonathan Kozol
Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins & Jay McTighe
What Works in Schools by Robert Marzano
Whatever it Takes by Richard & Rebecca DuFour
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
NurtureShock by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman
Positive Discipline in the Classroom by Jane Nelson
Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents by Karin Piper
"You're Going to Love This Kid!": Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom by Paula Kluth
Making the Grades: My Misadventures in the Standardized Testing Industry by Todd Farley
Growing Up Global by Homa Sabet Tavangar
Comments
How many of these books have you actually read, Steve?
Good question, Sam, as I get the idea sometimes that not everyone who puts together these lists does read the books first. I have read every book on the list, and have also engaged in extensive books studies with many of them as well as had the opportunity to observe some great teachers and principals implement many of the strategies in the books.
Many of these books and authors serve as the cornerstone to good educational practice, while others are new but have already had an impact. Choosing "the best" is tricky, so I tried to give a good, varied cross section of what I've read. The list could have been much longer!
Steve - Of all the books in the list - all of which are meaningful and relevant in their own space - the one that really strikes a chord for me is "Understanding By Design". Simple book knowledge is simply not enough in the complex world in which we find ourselves. Understanding the relevance of a book concept to that world is far more valuable. Knowledge can taught of course, but wisdom is an elusive butterfly that it takes a lifetime to capture and takes more than a bigger net. Your recommendations are overall an eclectic, carefully and thoughtfully gathered cross-section of the combined wisdom of many insightful educators. Your readers are well-advised to mine your list for at least one nugget of knowledge they can pass on for the betterment of their students, school and community. Thanks for the caring and thoughfulness you put into everything you write Steve. The world is bettered by the presence of men like you upon it.
Steve,
Brilliant list!
As an avid reader, library supporter, and information-monger, I am adding the ones I have not read to my 2010 reading list.
*Was just about to post comment when I read the list again and found my book included. What an honor to be mentioned with all these great authors. Truly humbling...
I just finished 3 Cups of Tea yesterday.... I loved seeing it on your list! Now I need to order more books, as I am missing a few titles! What a fabulous list!
I am glad such thoughtful educational books are being read by educators, I believe many of my teachers embraced educational innovation as described in "In the Penal Colony" by Franz Kafka.
I would add "Travels with Charley" by John Steinbeck to your ist, because after all, everything is related and it has a dog as a main character.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for including Lead With Me on this list! We're definitely proud of it and appreciate your comment on our blog. If you're interested in reviewing one of our newest titles for the Examiner, please visit our website at www.eyeoneducation.com and contact customer-service@eyeoneducation.com to request review copies. Thanks again!
Annie
I thought I commented a while ago, but I don't see it so I'll repost.
Thanks for including my book on your very thoughtful list of important education books. I know this seems like self-promotion, but I hope you'll check out my new book, How It's Being Done: Urgent Lessons from Unexpected Schools, which tries to get deeper into the question of HOW highly successful schools operate.
Thanks again, and happy new year.
Karin
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