Thursday, July 9, 2015

Summer Reading List with Links - Fun and Improvement

During the summer, I can indulge myself and read voraciously. As a now former English teacher (transitioning to an Instruction Coach next year), my school year was filled with reading papers...and rarely left eye-ball space for my own reading. Here is a list of what I've read and what I am reading this summer!

What I have read (sorry, only one book so far):

  1. Ruins of War by John A. Connell
    This murder detective thriller is set in post-WWII Munich, Germany. It is a compelling and historically researched novel. It was creepy and suspenseful. If you like the era or genre, I recommend this. I couldn't put it down
What I am reading now (note that there are quite a few more in this category, as I tend to parallel read for different purposes--pleasure, education, inspiration, connection, etc):


  1. Pure Genius by Don Wettrick
    I am taking a course on Project Based Learning, so picked this up after hearing about it on the Twittersphere. There are real nuggets of gold in this book...deep veins of gold ready for the grabbing. It is an easy read. Now, the trick is how to adapt his ideas and takes risks to develop the genius-level work he portrays.
  2. inGenius: A Crash Course in Creativity by Tina Seelig
    I just started reading a Kindle version of this book yesterday: it was mentioned in Pure Genius by Don Wettrick. Here's a glimpse into Stanford University Professor Seelig's  perspective: "Without creativity we are not just condemned to a life of repetition, but to a life that slips backwards." Creativity sounds much better.
  3. Power Up: Making the shift to 1:1 Teaching and Learning by Diana Neebe and Jen Roberts
    I have had the pleasure to attending a training on blogging that Jen Roberts gave at the 2015 Cue Conference and became a fan. Imagine my surprise when my Periscope app notified me she was "periscoping" (now a verb) her session at this year's ISTE's conference, so I had the chance to attend her session online. I am still figuring this app out, but it is a cracker!
  4. I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! by Xavier Amador, Ph.D.
    I am struggling with a member of my family who is diagnosed with mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder. I've spent the past 15 years of my adult life learning about how to diagnose, treat, and support someone with this illness. I continue on this journey, with less control, and a deeper desire to help. Tools are important. This book provides a model: LEAP or Listen Empathize, Agree, and Plan. I sure hope I can follow the plan.
It looks like I need to add a fun book to my summer reading list!


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8 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 9, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    I have heard great things about Pure Genius.

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  2. Judy BlakeneyJuly 10, 2015 at 9:16 AM

    Pure Genius is like Genius Hour on steroids. A 20% time/one day a week course is converted into a full-time class structure. What I like about the book is the focus on communicating a process or structure to follow. Don Wettrick also provides lots of examples, which is quite helpful. I recommend this book if you are interest in PBL or Innovation in the classroom.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Judy BlakeneyJuly 10, 2015 at 9:16 AM

    Pure Genius is like Genius Hour on steroids. A 20% time/one day a week course is converted into a full-time class structure. What I like about the book is the focus on communicating a process or structure to follow. Don Wettrick also provides lots of examples, which is quite helpful. I recommend this book if you are interest in PBL or Innovation in the classroom.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 14, 2015 at 12:55 PM

    That is quite an impressive list you have Judy. Summer is a great to time to catch up on reading. I'm Not Sick and Don't Need Your Help looks like one I should add to my own list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy BlakeneyJuly 14, 2015 at 5:46 PM

      The LEAP method is really great. I am just starting to absorb it. Implementing is another thing. I head about it at a NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Family to Family training. NAMI is really an incredible support organization with local and national training/conferences. I highly recommend it, and the book as well. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. Ms. HensleyJuly 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    Pure Genius sounds intriguing! I'm going to check it out; thanks for the recommendation. And yes, you do need a fun book in your list!

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  6. UnknownJuly 17, 2015 at 9:18 AM

    I have been seeing Periscope everywhere after a friend of mine asked me if I had heard of it. I have downloaded the app and I am still exploring. I can't wait to expand the number of people I follow and my followers as I learn more. I think that there are many possibilities for this app in education. I think that it is great that you were able to attend an ISTE session live through Periscope! Thanks for sharing the different books that you are reading. They look like good reads.

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  7. MKBJuly 18, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    Yeah, this is one thing that I wish I had more time for - pleasure reading. I've had a couple of books on my shelf for some time that I wanted to get to, and the nice thing is that none of them deal with education.

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