Laying the Foundations
One teacher's journey
Happy New Year! 2021 was memorable for many frustrating, tedious and covid-related reasons. However there were also many good things that happened throughout the year. One example: this blog was created! In order for 2022 to start off on a good foot (and it looks like it might need a bit of help here), I thought I'd share some resources that I've either discovered or used frequently during the past year. To prevent this post being an unwieldy list, I have broken it up into four parts. I will suggest some websites, podcasts and webinars throughout the week. Please note that the order is fairly random and not intended as a ranking (unless you are the author/creator of a resource listed first, in which case feel free to take it as a preference). Today I am kicking off with the thing that I arguably spend too much money on: the books. There were a lot of books that just missed out. If there's one that you recommend and hasn't made the list, feel free to leave a comment. Note: I do not receive any financial benefit from any of the links or recommendations in this post. Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash 1. Teaching Sprints: How Overloaded Educators Can Keep Getting Better by Dr Simon Breakspear & Bronwyn Ryrie Jones Teaching Sprints articulates a simple framework that schools and educators can use to improve practice. Dr Simon Breakspear and Bronwyn Ryrie Jones outline three big ideas that can assist in selecting a focus for a Teaching Sprint. I have found this framework to be sustainable, realistic and ambitious. Teaching Sprints will help shape how we improve practice at my school throughout 2022 (and beyond). My copy of Teaching Sprints is currently on loan it to a colleague, as it has been almost constantly since I read it. 2. Teaching Walkthrus: Five-step Guides to Instructional Coaching by Tom Sherrington & Oliver Caviglioli Teaching Walkthrus breaks down 50 different teaching techniques into five steps. Each step is carefully explained by Tom Sherrington and accompanied with a visual illustration by Oliver Caviglioli. The five steps make complex ideas easier to understand and unpack with colleagues. It is a beautiful and efficient way to enhance your professional learning program. 50 techniques might seem like a lot, but there is a second volume of Teaching Walkthrus which feature 50 more (including the aforementioned Teaching Sprints) and a third volume is in the works. Tom Sherrington is the dynamo behind Rosenshine's Principles in Action (with Oliver Caviglioli again providing illustrations) which framed my recent post about how swim teachers use Rosenshine's Principles. 3. Running the Room: The Teacher's Guide to Behaviour by Tom Bennett I wish that I had been given Running the Room when I first started teaching, rather than discovering it a decade later. Tom Bennett explains why teachers need to 'run' their classroom. More importantly he provides detailed tips and advice about how we can go actually achieve a cohesive classroom. The pop culture references are almost as frequent as the good tips. At our school, we now gift this book to each graduate teacher because I believe it is essential reading. 4. The Art & Science of Teaching Primary Reading by Christopher Such The first book on this list that was actually published in 2021 and it really proves that there are good things to come out of the year. If I were to design a course on Reading Instruction, The Art & Science of Teaching Primary Reading would be the text book. Christopher Such breaks down the complex components of reading into concise chapters. He provides plenty of links to classroom practice, while ensuring that he provides opportunities for professional discussions, further readings, and plenty of references. It has quickly become my go-to resource for reading instruction. 5. Spelling for Life: Uncovering the Simplicity and Science of Spelling (2nd Edition) by Lyn Stone This is the second book published in 2021 and another one that has become a staple reference. In fact, I refuse to lend this one as I am constantly wanting to reread sections. Lyn Stone is the powerhouse behind Reading for Life (which I've read and it almost made it to this list) and Language for Life (which I haven't read yet). Spelling for Life provides clarity about the English spelling system with abundant tips. While it is not necessarily aimed at those teaching students in the first year of school, it demystifies the spelling within English and provides advice about how to teach spelling explicitly. One of the joys of remote learning was accessing Lyn's Lessons in My Jim Jams with my daughter. Her four-step process of teaching spelling is simple in design, yet highly effective. 6. Dystinct Magazine edited by Zahra Nawaz
Dystinct Magazine is an online magazine which features contributions from a wide range of educators, parents and individuals with dyslexia. I have found this mix of perspectives creates a rich tapestry of stories. I have been honoured to have a piece published through this magazine. For those of you concerned that an online magazine doesn't quite fit the definition of a 'book' then stress less, because there is a magnificent and beautiful Dystinct Coffee Table book too.
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8/9/2022 08:17:37 am
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I'm JamesI am a father of two (8 & 5), married to a future Early Childhood Educator. Archives
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