Professional book reviews aimed at middle grades educators

In "MWSubstack 014: The Book Review Issue," the editors of MiddleWeb Substack present a curated selection of professional book reviews aimed at middle grades educators. The article highlights the value of reading and reflecting on educational literature to enhance personal development (PD) during school breaks. Here’s a summary of the featured reviews and books, which offer insights and practical strategies for educators.

Reclaiming Energy and Passion In "Educator Bandwidth" by Jane Kise and Ann Holm, teachers are guided on how to reclaim their energy, passion, and time. The book includes a survey to help educators assess their bandwidth and offers strategies to balance priorities, focus mental habits, and fuel the brain. Reviewer Stephanie Choate praises its practical approach to enhancing educators' well-being (ASCD, 2022).

Joy in Responsive Classrooms Gholdy Muhammad’s "Unearthing Joy" explores ways to elevate meaning, reflection, and joy in culturally and historically responsive teaching. Sarah Cooper describes the book as inspiring and actionable, making it a valuable resource for enhancing pedagogy (Scholastic, 2023).

Boosting Student Motivation Larry Ferlazzo’s "The Student Motivation Handbook" provides 50 strategies to boost intrinsic motivation among students. The book includes practical examples that help build a community of learners in the classroom, making it a useful tool for teachers seeking to spark student interest. Alexis Lecznar appreciates its research-backed approach (Routledge/Eye On Education, 2023).

Teaching for Retention and Transfer "Stick the Learning" by Eric Saunders offers neuroscience-based tips on spaced repetition, interleaving, and retrieval to advance student learning. Megan Balduf highlights the book’s usefulness in crafting brain-savvy curricular experiences and effective implementation (Solution Tree, 2023).

Confidence in Math Learning In "Rough Draft Math," Amanda Jansen emphasizes a “revising to learn” approach to help students build self-confidence in math. Michael Hernandez finds the book helpful in creating a safe space for students to make mistakes and grow in their mathematical understanding (Routledge/Stenhouse, 2021).

The Heart-Centered Teacher Regie Routman’s "The Heart-Centered Teacher" integrates teaching, learning, and living, offering stories to help educators navigate their professional and personal worlds. Sarah Cooper’s review highlights its holistic approach to teaching.

Differentiation in the Classroom "Leading and Managing a Differentiated Classroom" by Carol Ann Tomlinson and Marcia Imbeau provides strategies for designing instruction to meet diverse student needs. Cathy Gassenheimer appreciates its practical guidance for managing differentiation in real-world settings (2nd Ed. ASCD, 2023).

Teacher Leadership Melissa Collins’ "Your Teacher Leadership Journey" outlines the growth cycle of a teacher leader and includes roles beyond the classroom. Stacy Haynes-Moore recommends it for understanding and reflecting on teacher leadership (Routledge/Eye On Education, 2023).

Deliberate Optimism Debbie Silver and Jack Berckemeyer’s "Deliberate Optimism" offers a timely focus on mental health and encourages teachers to reclaim their power amidst today’s challenges. Kathie Palmieri finds it filled with humor and practical advice (Corwin, 2023).

Integrating Poetry in ELA "Poetry Pauses" by Brett Vogelsinger is praised by Kasey Short for its practical resources that help integrate poetry into various ELA topics. It is recommended for middle school English teachers seeking to enrich their lessons with poetry (Corwin Literacy, 2023).

Developing Resilience in Tweens Phyllis Fagell’s "Middle School Superpowers" offers strategies to help tweens navigate challenges such as social missteps and disappointment. Anne Anderson deems it essential for educators and parents working with adolescents (Hachette, 2023).

For more detailed reviews, visit MiddleWeb .

Original Article

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