I love what I do!! And I hope you love what you do! Because WHEN we love what we do, we put our heart into it and work even harder.
My school has been working really hard!! We've got some amazing things in the works and already in action, ALL for the wonderful students that we serve. I say all of this because I was in a classroom this week - fourth grade, eek! - and was explaining to them how hard their teacher and I have been working together to create some fresh ideas for their reading class. The kids started to get a little excited -- I made it into a HUGE deal that they were the ONLY class getting this kind of extra special love at their grade! I also focused in on how hard their teacher was working to learn and try new things, making her admirable in their eyes since she is doing this ALL FOR THEM!! This specific example involves us focusing in on implementing the Daily 5 in their classroom.
So in this post I wanted to highlight the books that are currently on my shelf to read as an IC and, in my BIG IDEA plan, hopefully with some fellow colleagues. So here are the titles:
- The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser (aka "The Sisters")
- I am specifically working in Kindergarten and Fourth Grade with this focus and it's awesome! I first experienced the Daily 5 in North Carolina, over five years ago.
- Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Kids by Chris Biffle
- Although I have not had a ton of WBT-focused training, what I used to do in my classroom (picking things up here and there) was definitely versions of WBT. I have seen a few teachers in my building using WBT techniques and I am very eager to dive into this book and get more ideas, beyond what I can pull up on Youtube!
- Unshakeable by Angela Watson
- I had originally bought this book at a time when I thought I would continue teaching in my own classroom. I love being re-inspired! Once I started working as an IC, I put this book to the side. Just recently I picked it back up and did some skimming of the chapters. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) sharing some highlights out of this book with teachers who feel they could use a reawakening and gain that enthusiasm to be unshakeable in their profession!!!
- The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark
- I had read his "Essential 55" a few years back and enjoyed it. I like easy reads! ;) Although I started this one a few months back, I put it down and haven't picked it back up yet. I was so excited to get going! I think fresh ideas - even when used in a completely different demographic than where a person teaches - can still be invigorating and inspiring to think outside the box and move mountains!
- War Room by Chris Fabry
- No, this is not a "teacher" book!! However, I am very excited to have a book like this on my shelf to read. Sometimes we can get so overloaded with work - even when we love it - and forget to push our minds to another area of life. I have another blog that I try to keep up - Acts 2:42 (actstwo40two.blogspot.com) and it is tied to my Bible Study gang of gals from back in North Carolina. There are times in my busy life I drop the ball in that area. My spirituality and relationship with my Savior and my God take a backseat. So in order to keep my mind level and my priorities straight, I wanted to dive into this book that highlights the power of prayer!! Amen.
So there's my shelf! It's a little heavy right now. But I know there's no possible way I'll read all of these at one time. However, when I have a reason to - like an interested teacher - I will be able to pull something new from my shelf and dive in! Hopefully with a colleague or two. Just like I told the students last Thursday, good teachers are always learning... we work hard for the money!
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