Most educators are winding down the year and heading into summer. Winding down is such a misnomer because there is so much going on at the end of the year. However, soon we will look around, it will be June, and we will wonder what to do with all the time we now have on our hands. Besides taking some well deserved time to relax, I would like to suggest a few good books, some older some newer, to read that will help to re-energize you over the summer. In no particular order, here are a few suggestions with why I think they are great choices.
- A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger
Is there a more powerful skill in an educator’s “repertoire” than being able to ask meaningful questions in order to make a young person’s thinking visible? Berger does a great job of describing the value of questioning as well as providing suggestions on how to hone this skill.
- Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges Are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them by Ross W. Greene
Empathy is one of the best ways to make a connection with any person, but especially so with the young people in our schools. If a young person senses you care, they will be willing to take risks because they trust you. Lost at School helps adults to empathize with those young people who struggle in school due to behavioral concerns. No young person wants to misbehave and Greene provides powerful suggestions on how to reach these struggling learners.
This is a free on-line book that addresses building a classroom culture focused on a young person’s needs. The powerful philosophy as well as practical applications shared in this resource can not be overstated if your goal is to create an environment that nurtures a young person’s ability to learn.
- The Art of Changing the Brain the by James Zull
Although this is not an “education” focused book it is very applicable because it explains how the human brain learns best. “There are two fundamental things that brains want: to be safe and happy” (Zull, 2002, p.49). Often it is the feeling of loss of control that provides the fear for our brains to not feel safe. So, whether it is our young people in the classroom or ourselves in the schools, it is important to feel in control. “The brain evolved to detect and resist exactly this type of thing (loss of control) for over five million years. It is not going to give in now” (Zull, 2002, p. 53), so it is best to take this into account when supporting a culture of learning. It is amazing how much learning and brain function parallel each other.
- Innovator's Mindset by George Couros
Zull’s book does a great job of explaining how the brain/mind works, Couros does a great job of getting down to why it is important to nurture that particular mindset. He points out, “to truly be empowered, people need both ownership and autonomy” (Couros, 2015, p.108). I believe this is true for both young people and adults, so instructional leaders (school administrators) must promote and support environments in the school that will lead to empowerment. Couros suggests eight things to look for in the classroom which will promote empowerment.
Bonus- The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
I had to included this book in the list if you have not yet read it. This is a quick read that can make a powerful impact on how to approach life. I can’t tell you the number of times I have referenced or have “seen” clear connections to what is in the book to what is taking place around me on a daily basis.
I could, and should, read each of these books again. So, if you haven’t read them and are looking for a great book this summer, I couldn’t encourage you more to check out these great reads. As for me, Ted Dintersmith’s “What Schools Could Be” just arrived as I head into the summer. I'll be sure to let you know what I think. :)
References
Couros, George (2015). The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent,
and Lead a Culture of Creativity. San Diego, CA. Dave Bugess Consulting Inc.
Zull, James (2002). The Art of Changing the Brain. Sterling VA: Solution Tree Press.
Stylus Publishing.
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