Learn More

40 Hour Workweek

Uncategorized   |   Jun 3, 2013

The 10 best summer reads for teachers

By Angela Watson

Founder and Writer

The 10 best summer reads for teachers

By Angela Watson

10-best-summer-reads-for-teachers-656x850

If you’re an avid reader, I’m sure you’re looking forward to summer and having more free time to relax with some good books…preferably by a pool or on a beach or in a hammock. You’ve probably got some good easy, fun reads you’ve been meaning to get to for awhile. And maybe you’re also looking for a book that will challenge you to think about the way you taught last year, and what kind of changes you want to make so that next year is even better.

It’s rare that teachers get the opportunity to step back from the day to day tasks of the classroom and really reflect on the educational system as a whole and the role that we play in it. Here are 10 of my favorite books to help you do just that, and get you excited about improving your practice and connecting with students on a deeper level. Click any book cover for more info:

Join us for an online book club for teachers in July!

online-book-club-600x344

Will you be doing any professional reading this summer? Share your book list in the comments!

Angela Watson

Founder and Writer

Angela created the first version of this site in 2003, when she was a classroom teacher herself. With 11 years of teaching experience and more than a decade of experience as an instructional coach, Angela oversees and contributes regularly to...
Browse Articles by Angela

Discussion


  1. Currently reading Drive by Daniel H Pink… Interesting to see it in the summer reading list 🙂 Will check other titles too…

  2. I’ve already ordered Talk About Understanding: Rethinking Classroom Talk to Enhance Comprehension by Ellin Oliver Keene, but I’m sure I’ll add a couple of these titles to my list 🙂 Is there ever enough time to read everything we want?!?

  3. Is there an available resource to find these and other professional books to borrow instead of purchase? My school has a small professional library – but nothing new in a few years.

    1. Also try asking about an inter-library loan in your school or local public library. Many libraries do them now for free or a very small fee. My local library used to do it for free but now charges $1 per book–still a great deal. As a last resort, you can buy the book and re-sell it on eBay, Amazon, etc. if you decide not to keep it.

  4. Thanks, all, for sharing your favorites! Keep them coming!

    @Raye: You’re going to love Total Participation Techniques!

    @Barb: Have you checked your public library? I’ve found quite a few professional titles in mine! You can also try getting the Kindle edition of the books–those are much cheaper than getting paper copies. You can read Kindle books on pretty much any device (your smartphone, your computer, tablet, etc.) so it’s a good way to get cheap books even if you don’t own a Kindle.

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion? Feel free to contribute!