A couple of months ago Donalyn Miller wrote a post for Nerdy Book Club about Book Gaps. I have really enjoyed reading about the various book gaps my Nerdy Book Club friends are trying to close in their reading. I have struggled to commit to a personal book gap challenge, but I think that I’ve figured out the area of my reading that I would like to do some more reading: professional books.
I read some professional books, but I feel that if I am to take my teaching to the level that I would like to, I need to make sure that reading books about teaching is something that make part of my daily reading life.
Each morning I spend 15-20 minutes reading after I get ready for school and before I get my kids up and ready. I have decided that this would be a good time to do some professional reading. It will get my mind ready for school, and I feel good about having done it all day long.
The following is a list of five books that I would like to read in the coming months.
Katherine Sokolowski (@katsok)
February 26, 2013 at 7:22 am
Notice and Note is on my list to read. I have read the others and loved them all. My copy of Strategies at Work looks like a porcupine – post-its flag out of it all over the place. LOVE that book.
Vicki Palmquist
February 26, 2013 at 7:41 am
Thanks for the inspiring list, Colby. I’ve added the three I haven’t read to my own reading pile.
The Styling Librarian
February 26, 2013 at 8:58 am
Shall watch for your opinions of those. I’m looking forward to reading Book Love…
macrush53
February 26, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Love Strategies That Work.
Barb Keister
February 26, 2013 at 1:32 pm
What a great idea for slipping in some professional reading at the start of the day – 15 minutes will go a long way! Also have Notice and Note and Book Love on the top of my TBR pile
readingtothecore
February 26, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Great list! You’re wise to schedule a specific time for professional reading. I’d never get to it if I didn’t. Notice & Note is on my list, but right now I’m revisiting The Writing Workshop by Katie Wood Ray and Lester Laminack.
Allison Jackson
February 26, 2013 at 10:18 pm
The first 4 are on my list, too. Haven’t heard of the 5th. Looking forward to your thoughts about all of the books.
Until this year, I read more PD than kid lit, sort of the opposite of you. I think a balance of the two is the best approach, but now I feel that keeping current on children’s lit is one of the best pd activities you can do.
Holly Mueller
February 27, 2013 at 7:25 am
I love that idea to read a profecssional book for 15 minutes each morning! It’s a book gap of mine, also (mostlly because I read so many blogs by teachers!) and that’s a great idea to compartmentalize that time and focus! Thanks for the tip!
Jen Vincent (@mentortexts)
February 28, 2013 at 10:02 pm
I’ve heard that all of these great! I love Jim Trelease. I saw him speak at my library about six years ago. Great ideas in his book. I recently read Chris Lehman’s Energize and it is wonderful. Such smart ideas.
I like your plan!