Review & Giveaway: Trying Not to Try by Edward Slingerland

There are moments when I am on stage, performing original music where I feel I am in "the zone." You will never convince me that I am anything more than a mediocre guitarist, singer and songwriter, but there are moments where everything seems to flow so effortlessly, I might as well be Jimi Hendrix up there. The energy in the crowd also seems to rise, at least from my perspective, as I am in "the zone."  This is at the heart of Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of Spontaneity.

So when Edward Slingerland discusses wu-wei and de, ancient Chinese ideas about spontaneous, effortless action and a sort of charismatic energy that spurs people to follow, I knew what he was talking about. We identify it commonly in sports in America, such as when Michael Jordan would take over in critical, game-changing situations, or when Peyton Manning carves up an opponent's defense seemingly at will. As Slingerland points out, we can't explain it, precisely because it is something that seems natural.

This is not a how-to book, and the suggestions about how to get closer to these states are largely buried under a heavy but interesting layer of Chinese thought, modern science and analogies. As I struggled to glean specific examples and ideas to apply to the classroom, I realized I was ironically trying too hard and losing sense of the central ideas of the book.

I would recommend this book as a lens with which to examine both ourselves and our culture, and as a not-so-subtle reminder that there's much to be gained in letting go, not trying so hard, and just going with the flow. For a hardworking teacher trying to get through the last stretch of the spring semester, that's an important lesson.

The good folks at Crown Publishers provided the review copy that I am once again giving away to one lucky reader. To enter this giveaway, email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject TRYING GIVEAWAY by 11:59pm CST this Wednesday, 3/19/14.

Grab your own copy of Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of Spontaneity on Amazon.

Review & Giveaway: Notes To A New Teacher by Dana Dunnan

Dana Dunnan has a few years on me in the classroom--about twenty to be exact. He has taught a variety of subjects at the high school level in wealthy suburbs north of Boston for a long time. He also worked at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and on education policy at the state level in Massachusetts. On the surface, I certainly didn't see any parallels to my experiences in and out of the classroom.

Yet as I read Notes to a New Teacher: A Not-for-Dummies Guide for Beginning Teacher, I felt like I had found a kindred spirit. Dunnan's advice sounds eerily close to my own, supported with stories about his students as well as interactions with amazing people like legendary UCLA coach John Wooden. The book is written in a conversational tone, as if Dunnan was sitting down with you for a few hours to chat about teaching, not unlike my own work aimed at helping young teachers.

Dunnan covers the most critical topics for new teachers: the first day of school, assessments, and dealing with students, colleagues and parents. This is not new territory for books on teaching, of course, but his advice carries the weight of wide ranging experience and is delivered in a way most teachers can easily absorb.

As usual, I am giving away my review copy of Notes to a New Teacher (sent to me by the author himself) to a lucky reader. Send an email with the subject "NOTES GIVEAWAY" to teachforever@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 5th at 11:59pm CST, and I'll select a random reader to win.

For more information on the book and the author, visit his website. If you would rather skip the contest and make sure to get yourself a copy, it's available on Amazon.

Review & Giveaway: Physics: An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science

Physics: An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science doesn't have an attention-grabbing name (publishers should start hiring the people who write headlines at Upworthy or Gawker to name their books), but attention-grabbing is exactly what this book is.

Part of the series "Ponderables: 100 Breakthroughs That Changed History Who Did What When" by science author Tom Jackson, breaks down the key developments in the history of physics (and, in turn, our understanding of the universe). Physics is overflowing with helpful illustrations and is written in digestible chapter not much longer than a typical blog post, which should help hold the attention of students and adults alike.

This is exactly the kind of engaging book I loved to have in my classroom library--something a student could pick up and be quickly drawn in to, with the chance of sparking a bigger interest in the subject. It would also be a great coffee table book to have at home for young kids who are beginning to learn about the world around them

I'm giving away a copy of Physics: An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science to one lucky reader. To enter, email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "Physics giveaway" by 11:59pm CST on Wednesday, January 22. I'll pick a winner at random. Thanks to Shelter Harbor Press for providing the review copy.

Can't wait to flip through it? Get it on Amazon today.

Review & Giveaway: How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare

I've never met him, nor have I even seen him in action, but Ken Ludwig is a great teacher. Before I looked through How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare, his new book on exactly that, it would have been difficult for you to convince me that I could believe it simply by reading the first chapter.

Yet there I was, following his directions to memorize and then understand a single line of poetry from A Midsummer Night's Dream ("I know a bank where the wild thyme grows"). As actor John Lithgow notes in his foreword, Ludwig's enthusiasm radiates from these pages. I could hear him speaking to me, as if I was sitting in a workshop learning from him in person. That's hard to do on the written page.

Ludwig frames the book around twenty-five key passages from The Bard's plays. You'll find out how to convey the literary, historical and cultural significance as well as teach the meaning behind words that will often be unfamiliar to kids. Ludwig correctly pushes you to model passages out loud, as any English teacher will tell you is key for the literacy of struggling and still learning readers.  Even the beautiful rhythm of this poetry is a part of his course-in-a-book. How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare is thorough and detailed, but wholly accessible.

This is a book for teacher or parents interested in imparting this timeless knowledge to kids (or even adults). This would be an incredibly awesome giveaway if it was simply a copy of the book, but this copy is signed by Mr. Ludwig himself!

As always, I'm giving this book away to a lucky reader. Email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "Shakespeare" by 11:59pm CST on Wednesday 1/15/14, and I'll pick a winner from that lot at random. Thanks to Crown, Broadway, and Hogarth and Random House, Inc. for providing a copy for the review and giveaway.

If you can't wait, you can pick up How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare on Amazon today.

Review & Giveaway: The Smartest Kids in the World

Americans don't seem to agree on much these days. Perhaps one thing we're in agreement about is that our education system is not what we want it to be. By common measures like the PISA test, our students are way behind their counterparts in other countries.  Thus it's not that surprising that we look to the countries ahead of us on the PISA and other such measures for answers.

In The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way, Amanda Ripley dives into Poland, Finland and South Korea for answers, using exchange students as her embedded reporters.  Their perspectives reveal a lot about both the differences and similarities between our systems.

This is a difficult, nuanced issue and Ripley thankfully does not try to provide a magic bullet to fix our education system. Most problems in our country, and really in our everyday lives, have no simple answers.  If we're ever to fundamentally change our education system for the better, it will take a multifaceted, long term approach.  It will take a lot of patience and ganas to make it happen.

Ripley notices a few key issues worth exploring. First, the way we teach mathematics is the U.S. is not the way it's taught in the top scoring countries. As I have written about myself, we teach the broadest amount of topics possible every year, without diving deep and asking more challenging questions. Problem solving and logical thinking, skills that would help our kids across the board, barely make it into our curricula.

Ripley's exchange students reveal that many of the top countries seem to have a greater buy-in to the importance of education both as system but especially among parents. Of course, parents have a reason to push their students harder: their are serious, life-changing consequences when students fail. Most teachers in America will tell you that it's hard to fail a class, grade level or standardized test to begin with, but if you do, you either can retake it until you pass or find some other way to not be held accountable.  In other words, when you hear that kids are "lazy" or "don't care" it's because they know they'll probably get passed along no matter what.

Another serious, systemic issue that Ripley points out is that teacher training appears to be much more rigorous in these case study countries. Education schools are held to high standards overall and each one is highly selective. In Poland, it took amazing political will over the course of decades to pull this off, to the point where I wonder how possible it is for us to do it here. That being said, I feel like this is something we can fix, even though it will not solve all of our problems.

Of course, there were times I thought the author was oversimplifying the problem, or defending criticisms of our system with anecdotes. For example, America's obsession with sports in schools is brought up a couple of times as a problem because it simply doesn't exist in these countries. I found very little evidence to back up the assertion that we're harming our kids through our system that actively promoting athletics. Yet I did not feel Ripley was trying to blame this issue for all of our systemic ills by any stretch of the imagination.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Smartest Kids and the author clearly did her best to deal with this complicated issue with an even hand. Anyone interested in improving education in the U.S. will come away with a lot to think about.

Luckily, I have not one, but two copies of The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way thanks to the good folks at Simon & Schuster to give away!  Email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "The Smartest Kids Giveaway" by 11:59pm CST Friday, October 4th to be entered in a random drawing. Thank you and good luck!

Get The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way now on Amazon.

Book Review & Giveaway: The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon

The Energy Bus for Kids: A Story about Staying Positive and Overcoming Challenges by Jon Gordon is a children's book about using positive thinking, dealing with bullies and encouraging others to do the same. Big, colorful and easy to read, I think kids would feel the same feeling of adventure that they do on The Magic School Bus (no relation).

The book follows a young man named George as he navigates the daily challenges of elementary school. With the guidance of new bus driver Joy, he learns lessons to apply to his day. There's no silver bullet or instant gratification: George tries to follow Joy's advice and still has bad days. Over time, George learns five interconnected lessons that conquer all, and he's inspired to spread the lessons to his fellow students.

The idea of perseverance and hope in the face of negativity of all kinds is the theme that ties the book together. It sounds a lot like advice that adults might read in books, magazines and blogs, which is no surprise: Gordon adapted this from his bestselling The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy, a fable aimed at hardworking adults.

This book is written at a fairly high reading level, and might be a bit long for younger readers with short attention spans. For younger or struggling readers, it might be something you need to read together. That being said, I think both parents and teachers of early elementary students will find this book valuable in combating bullying and negativity in all its forms.

As usual, I'm giving the copy provided by the good people at Wiley away to a lucky reader. To enter, email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "Energy Bus Giveaway" until 11:59pm CST this Wednesday 8/14. I'll pick a winner at random and send the book their way. Good luck!

Get The Energy Bus for Kids on Amazon.com

Review & Giveaway: Real Talk for Real Teachers by Rafe Esquith

His hair is still on fire! One of America's most beloved and respected teachers, Rafe Esquith has once again drawn upon his thirty-plus-year career to share his best advice for beginning, experienced and veteran teachers.

Real Talk for Real Teachers: Advice for Teachers from Rookies to Veterans: "No Retreat, No Surrender!" is divided into three parts: the first for new and beginning teachers, the second for those who have surpassed the five year mark, and the last for teachers closer to Esquith's level of experience.  He draws upon stories from his own classroom as well as those of colleagues to illustrate his straightforward lessons.  Thankfully, he avoids common education jargon or buzzwords (nor does create any of his own), opting instead for practical advice and thoughtful principles to follow.

I found myself agreeing with the vast majority of his advice--indeed, following most of these ideas is what kept me in the game for so long.  I didn't make it to the "Master Class" that he discusses in the third section of the book, but I could see myself following his lead had I survived that long.

At the risk of oversimplifying, Real Talk's advice centers around a few central themes:

1. This job is really hard. Hang in there.
2. Don't get bitter over time.
3. Always strive to grow, try new things and become a better teacher.
4. Love and respect your students.

This is a highly recommended book for any teachers, but I would particularly like new teachers to read this to gain perspective on where they are and where they could be if they stay in the classroom over the long term.

Viking/Penguin was nice enough to send me a review copy of Real Talk, and as always I am going to give it away to a lucky reader. To enter, email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "Real Talk Giveaway" before Wednesday 11:59pm CST.  I'll pick a winner at random.  Thanks to all the loyal readers who always participate, and good luck!

Get Real Talk for Real Teachers on Amazon

Book Review and Giveaway: The Perfect Teacher Coach

The Perfect Teacher Coach by Jackie Beer and Terri Broughton is a concise, thoughtful guide to becoming an effective instructional coach.  The two UK-based experts draw on years of teaching and coaching in a variety of settings, providing a clear blueprint of what coaching is and isn't.

I found their framework for coaching very similar to what I learned both from Teach For America and in graduate school,  In short, coaching is not about telling teachers what is wrong and how to fix it, but giving them the tools and encouragement to do so themselves.  Coaches are great listeners who ask the right questions and provide a positive, unwavering belief that teachers can find the right answers within.

It should come as no surprise that the elements that make a great coach of teachers also make a great classroom teacher.  I was always taught to constantly reflect on my practice, get feedback from my students and outside observers, identify weaknesses and find solutions. When I did a good job of all of those things, my classroom was at its peak effectiveness.  This is also the message of The Perfect Teacher Coach.

Whether you already coach teachers, have such a role on the horizon for next year or beyond, or are still just trying to improve in your own classroom, there's a lot to learn from this new guide.  I highly recommend it.

As usual, I'm holding a giveaway of my copy of the book! The book will not be released until July 16, so one lucky reader will be one of the first to get their hands on it.  If you're interested in the book, send an email to teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "The Perfect Teacher Coach" by 11:59pm CST this Wednesday, June 5.  I'll pick a winner at random. Good luck!

Pre-order The Perfect Teacher Coach on Amazon.

Notes on Teaching: A Short Guide to an Essential Skill [Giveaway]

I'm no conspiracy nut, but I think the authors of Notes on Teaching: A Short Guide to an Essential Skill,  Shellee Hendricks and Russell Reich, must be somehow reading my thoughts. They've managed to put together a book that's one of the best companion pieces to this blog that I've ever read, including my own books.  There are 184 "notes" in Notes on Teaching, grouped by topic and with each going into detail without being too long winded or overwhelming.

A few examples that I particularly loved:

174. Put away the jargon. We rightly try to use the correct language and vocabulary to teach concepts, but we often get lost in it and forget to actually teach the concept and develop the vocabulary along the way.

159. Open your door. In a world where separate offices and cubicles are being replaced by more open concepts across industries, this is an important lesson to you can teach your students by example.

114. Notice what they [students] want you to notice. In other words, pay attention to your kids. I've been reflecting on my career for a while now, and showing your students you care in as many ways as you can is one of the best ways to get them engaged and on the right track in and out of your classroom.

172. Be an eternal student. Perhaps the best advice she (and I) could give you for any career.

Of course, I didn't agree with everything (Never use sarcasm), nor did I think everything was particularly realistic for everyone (Clean the slate daily).  Yet I found little to quibble with, and came away thinking Notes on Teaching is a more explicit version of my own book, Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word. We both offer straightforward advice culled from years of practice, observation and professional learning, but there's enough to compare and contrast that you will certainly get a lot out of Hendricks and Reich's work.

RCR Creative Press sent me a review copy that I want to give away to a teacher (or future teacher) that wants it.  If you're interested, email teachforever@gmail.com with the subject "Notes on Teaching giveaway" by 11:59pm CST on Wednesday. I'll pick a random winner and send them the book! Good luck and thanks for reading.

Review and Giveaway: 'The Together Teacher' by Maia Heyck-Merlin

Maia Heyck-Merlin has put together what should be required reading for teachers who are a couple of years into their career, a sort of sequel to The First Days of School that paints with a much wider brush.  The Together Teacher is, in short, a powerful toolbox for veteran teachers.

The structure of Heyck-Merlin's book reflects heavily on the style of thinking and planning that Teach For America and Achievement First similarly employ in their respective organizations.  Each chapter is full of reflection questions, critical thoughts about why each tool is important, and real life examples and scenarios that provide guidance on what these tools might look like in action.  The emphasis on nuanced, detailed planning is also a hallmark of what these organizations teach their people to do.

The most important thing about this book is not the structure, however, but the philosophy behind the tools. You need all this planning and organization not just to become a more effective teacher, but to make sure you have time for your life outside of teaching.  Heyck-Merlin wants effective teaching to go hand in hand with a sustainable career, something that TFA and high-performing charters like AF talk about but don't necessarily prioritize.

The amount of planning, organizing and systematization that goes into being a "together" teacher might seem daunting to those who aren't so formal with their routines, systems and procedures. Yet Heyck-Merlin breaks down her methods and templates so well that most teachers should be able to pull much of it off if they're willing to put in the effort.

A guide as comprehensive as The Together Teacher must be read, absorbed and used like any other resource: you take what you can.  Teaching is more art than science, both in how each of us approaches the job and in how carry it out.  The tools in The Together Teacher aren't going to work for everybody, but everybody will be able to find something in these pages.

I have a copy of the book to give away. All you have to do for a chance to win the book is send an email with the subject "Together Teacher Giveaway" to teachforever@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 6 at 11:59pm CST.  I'll select a winner at random.

Thanks to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for providing a review copy.

Book Giveaway: The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra

I think I've found a linear algebra book that could teach just about anyone: The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra. The good folks at No Starch Press have created a series of guides that combine elements of manga (Japanese-style comics) with a well-explained exploration of complex subjects (calculus, physics, etc).

In this entry in the series, scrawny math whiz Reiji convinces the captain of the university karate club to let him join, with one condition: he must tutor Misa, the captain's little sister, in linear algebra.  Luckily, she also happens to be the girl of Reiji's dreams (although he is warned to not so much as flirt with her).

This is the setup that leads into Reiji's easy-to-follow lessons on the basics of linear algebra, with Misa asking the kinds of questions any curious student would.  I think you could hand this to any good student in algebra or beyond and they would be able to figure a lot of this stuff out on their own.  You might even kindle a lifelong love of math (I can dream, can't I?).

If I haven't sold you yet, download Chapter 2 (PDF) and see it for yourself.  I'm a big proponent of using graphic novels and comics in the classroom and these Manga Guides take it to another level.  That's why I'm giving away a copy of The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra to one lucky reader! 

To enter, simply send an email with the subject Manga Guide to teachforever@gmail.com by 11:59pm CST this Friday 6/15.  I'll pick a random winner from those entries.  Good luck!

Thanks to No Starch Press for providing a review copy!

Book Giveaway: One Grain of Rice by Demi

A few years ago I learned about a really fun and unique way to introduce exponential functions to students: using the book One Grain Of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi.

Set long ago in India, the beautifully illustrated folktale tells the story of a greedy raja (the powerful ruler) who lives lavishly while his people go hungry.

One day, a young girl named Rani returns some of the raja's rice to him after it had fallen out of a basket.  The raja offered her anything she wanted as a reward.

"Very well," said Rani. "If it pleases Your Highness, you may reward me in this way.  Today, you will give me a single grain of rice.  Then, each day for thirty days you will give me double the rice you gave me the day before. Thus, tomorrow you will give me two grains of rice, the next day four grains of rice, and so on for thirty days."

The raja, lacking number sense, thinks this is entirely reasonable and agrees.  Thirty days later, let's just say a fool and his rice are soon parted.

Here are a few lesson ideas using this book:

• Teach with Picture Books: One Grain of Rice
• A Systems-Based Review - Demi's One Grain of Rice
• Illuminations: One Grain of Rice

I am giving away my copy of One Grain Of Rice to any math teacher or parent who wants to use it as a different way of introducing these kinds of functions.  Just send me an email (teachforever@gmail.com) with the subject "One Grain of Rice" between now and Friday 11:59pm CST to enter.  Good luck!

Book Giveaway: Awakened by Angela Watson of The Cornerstone

What does it take overcome the daily stress and frustration that so many teachers face?

This is the central question addressed by Angela Watson's second book, Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching.  Watson, creator of The Cornerstone and longtime veteran of the classroom, has a simple, yet thought-provoking answer: change the way you think.

The mental game is of course, the key to longevity in this job.  If you don't master the game, it will consume you: at best, you'll quit and at worst, you'll keep teaching but be ineffective and miserable.

Watson makes it clear that the source of her own shift in mindset was a spiritual awakening, a reconnection to her Christian faith that had been lost to her for a time.  While her lessons are grounded in faith, those who don't consider themselves very religious won't feel that they are being preached to at all.  Watson explains that she hopes her experience and ideas will be something you "wrestle with... and use your questions and disagreements to bring you closer to the truth."

That being said, as you dive into the rest of Awakened, there's actually relatively little mention of God or religion.  Watson instead dives deep into tons of relevant research on the types of habits and mindsets that create problems for you and how to overcome them.

This is an incredibly practical, easy to read book that deal with issues most of you reading this confront each day.  I noticed many parallels to Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word, but Watson focuses exclusively on changing your mindset and expectations to help you survive and thrive in the classroom. If you're searching for answers, Awakened may indeed have them.

I have a copy of Awakened that I'm going to give away to a lucky reader.  I would like to share this book with someone who is in the classroom now, but struggling and wondering whether to continue teaching next year.  If that description fits you, send me an email (teachforever@gmail.com) by Friday 11:59pm CST and let me know you're interested in the book.

Have you already read Awakened? Share your thoughts on it in the comments.

An Educator's Reading List for Surviving & Thriving, Part 1

I recently ran a workshop for new and preservice teachers at The University of Texas-Pan American (where I'm working towards a masters in Educational Administration) on some of the overarching themes and specific pieces of advice from my book Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word.

After the workshop, I kicked myself for not creating a recommended reading list with all the sources that inspired many of the ideas in the book.  I refer to these books, magazines and blogs all the time here on the blog, but haven't yet collected them together.  I've included links to relevant posts I've written about each source as well.  Enjoy!

Books
Teaching with Love & Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom by Jim Fay and David Funk. No single book has shaped me more as an educator than this classic.  It will revolutionize the way you manage your classroom and help you build strong relationships with your students, which is a base from which to do amazing things.  You can hear a bit about one of the main ideas in this video (skip to about 3 minutes in).

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. This one always gets a laugh when I mention it to colleagues, but if you put aside the central conceit and concentrate on the ideas that apply directly to what teachers do, you'll create a more sustainable way of life:

• Teacher Stress Relief: Lessons from The 4-Hour Workweek
• Teacher Stress Relief: The Low-Information Diet
• Teacher Stress Relief: Outsourcing Your Life

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins. This book should be standard reading for anyone who wants to be a leader in the classroom and especially if you want to move into a school or district leadership role.  Collins draws examples from the business world, but the principles of good leadership don't change--indeed, the main ideas of this book have become recurring themes in my graduate school program in Educational Administration.

Magazines
Fast Company - FC is a magazine about entrepreneurship and business that will inspire to anyone who wants to help their students succeed and be prepared for the 21st century.  They write about the nature of creativity, power of design, innovations in education, and how technology is shaping our world so you can keep on top of what's next.  Here are some reflections I did on education-related FC articles:

• It's Time for Leaders to Embrace Cell Phones in the Classroom [July 2011]
• The Future of Education, in the Palm of Your Hand [April 2010]
• What Educators Can Learn From the Most Creative People in Business [July 2010]

GOOD - Consistently great writing on education and anything else having to do with being "what is sustainable, prosperous, productive, creative, and just".  Liz Dwyer is the Education Editor and does an amazing job.  GOOD articles are regularly shared in my weekly Five for Friday posts.

More recommendations tomorrow!

New Graphic Novel Explains the Science Behind Life on Earth

Last fall, I wrote about the graphic novel BANG! The Universe Verse: Book 1, which gave teachers a new resource to teach about the origins of the universe, physics and more.  Then, author James Dunbar launched a successful Kickstarter project to make It's Alive! The Universe Verse: Book 2 available for free download.  It's Alive! is here!

From the author: "It's Alive! The Universe Verse: Book 2 tells the scientifically accurate story of our Earth and how it was that life could have developed here from non-living elements.  It covers the formation of our solar system, Earth's early history, the fundamental principles of evolution and natural selection and the basic structures and systems of life as we know it.  And all of it is wrapped in well-written rhyme and richly detailed illustrations.  Thanks to the generosity of my Kickstarter backers it is available for free as a PDF eBook, and it has been illustrated in full color."

The free downloads will eventually expire, so get them while you can.  If you want to support Dunbar's great work, consider ordering a few hard copies through the link below.

Download free high-res version (80MB)
Download free low-res version (5MB)
Preview online
Purchase the paperback ($15.95)
It's Alive! Press Release

I can't wait to see Book 3, which the author says he'll begin developing soon.  Check out his website for more information.

Lost in Learning book giveaway

What is true learning?  What does it look like?

These are the essential questions that drive Eva Koleva Timothy's beautiful meditation on learning and history, Lost in Learning: The Art of Discovery.  The author believes the desire and capacity for deep, meaningful learning is innate--a passion that needs to be acknowledged and awakened, not stifled and ignored as it so often is in our education system.

Through striking photographs of historical artifacts and poetic reflections on the work of scientists, explorers and artists, Timothy has created something worth exploring itself.

The book is physically wide enough to allow the richness of Timothy's photography to jump out at you, and to give her words time to sink in.  It would make a wonderful gift for a student heading off to college, a teacher who has inspired you, or anyone who would appreciate someone with a love of learning as deep as theirs.

I'm giving away a signed copy sent to me by the author.  If you're interested in a chance at winning the copy, simply email me (teachforever@gmail.com) by 11:59 pm CST tonight and explain who you'd like to give the book to (even if it's yourself) and why.  I'll pick a random winner and send them the book.  If you'd like your own copy, you can get it on Amazon:

Lost in Learning: The Art of Discovery

Thanks to the author for graciously sending a free copy of her book for this review.

Graphic Novel Makes the Big Bang Easy and Fun (Plus, Win a Copy)

In the beginning, there was nothing. Then James Dunbar came along and BANG!, the educational universe was changed forever! Mr. Dunbar has released the first in a three-part series that turns the Big Bang and its results into a beautifully illustrated graphic novel.  The words in the novel are in rhyme, making an often difficult subject fun and dead simple.

This would be a great introduction for elementary students studying the solar system for the first time, and all the way up to high school physics and astronomy students.  College students who think the "Big Bang Theory" is just a television show could use this to get through their core science requirements.  It's that easy to digest.

You can read it online in cumbersome fashion, but I urge you to instead buy a copy if you're intrigued by the art, value and purpose.  Your support will help him publish the other two volumes.

Learn more about the genesis of BANG! The Universe Verse: Book 1 in this video:



Win a copy of BANG! The Universe Verse: Book 1!

Since the book makes science easy through rhyme, Mr. Dunbar and I are collaborating on a poetry contest with the chance to win 1 of 2 copies of BANG!.  Just write a cosmology-related limerick or haiku, following the proper poetic structure, and submit it via email to teachforever AT gmail DOT com by 11:59 pm CST on August 28, 2010.  The best poem in each category will receive a paperback copy of the book directly from the author.

Here are the rules and examples provided by Mr. Dunbar himself:

Limericks
AABBA rhyme scheme, with the B lines being much shorter.

Long before the birds and the bees,
We were dust in the cosmic deep freeze.
If you'll pardon the thought,
We're all made of the snot,
Of a star that had one heck of a sneeze.

Gravity causes things to attract,
And with math it can seem quite abstract.
But it gives quite a thrill,
When you're going downhill.
Just be sure to prepare for impact.

Haikus
3 lines; 5-7-5 syllables

Hydrogen has one
Like the pit of a sweet peach,
A planet-sized peach

Space pyrotechnic
Bright bursting particles pop
Supernova show

The best poems that can follow the proper structure the closest (we're not English teachers, after all) will be the winners (as judged by myself and Mr. Dunbar).  You have some time to think of the best possible entry.  If you have any questions about the contest, email me.  Good luck!

Buy a copy of BANG! The Universe Verse: Book 1 instead.

Engage Students in a Minute with Energizing Brain Breaks

It's hard to keep students engaged for the duration of a class period, no matter the length.  Teachers have some degree of influence based on their lesson plan, systems and procedures, and management skills.  Sometimes, though, teachers and students just need a mental break to get them refocused and reenergized.  That's where Energizing Brain Breaks by David Sladkey comes in.

David, who shares his ideas and resources at Reflections of a High School Math Teacher, has put together 50 fun, simple activities that stimulate the brain and body.  They only take a minute or two, so they won't take over your entire class period; in fact, they'll probably help keep your classes on track!

Each brain break involves students getting up and moving around while performing a task that engages different parts of the mind.  You can use them to break up long block periods, for transitions, or to jump start a low energy group whenever it's needed. 

The book is divided into activities for individuals, partners, or a group, so it's very flexible.  My favorite example is Rocks, Paper, Scissors, MATH:



You can see more videos of the activities in action at the Energizing Brain Breaks blog, along with several bonus breaks not included in the book.  Of course, the fun isn't limited to math by any means, and I believe these will work in any classroom, regardless of subject or grade level.  If this can engage high school students, imagine how well it would work with elementary or middle school kids!

Most importantly, the breaks involve no or little cost, prep, or materials.  Just flip to a page in the sturdy book (printed on card stock with a spiral binding) and get started. 

If I haven't convinced you to pick up a copy yet, here's the kicker: 25% of the profits on the book go to getting copies of Energizing Brain Breaks to schools that can't afford it, and another 25% goes towards building schools in Angola through the organization RISE International. 

Finally, I have two copies of the book to give away!  In the book, you're encouraged to create your own brain break, so that's exactly what we're going to do.  Take a look at the activities on the Energizing Brain Breaks blog, then write your own 1-2 minute activity that engages the body and mind.  It can be an individual, partner, or group exercise just like the ones in the book.  Email your ideas to teachforever@gmail.com by 11:59 pm Sunday 4/11/10.  Next week, I'll post the ideas of the two winners along with any other good ideas that come in.  Good luck!

Buy Energizing Brain Breaks

A Hilarious Alternative to Boring SAT Test Prep

When I first opened The BSAT Official Study Guide: 350 Questions You'll Never See on the SAT! by John Forster and Marc Segan, I expected a chuckle, or perhaps a polite half-laugh.  When I started laughing out loud, I had to put it down for a bit so as not to scare the people around me.  This book is really funny, and although you can't give it to a college-bound student who lacks a sense of humor (or has parents with that particular affliction), it would make a great gift for most others.

This parody of SAT prep books is actually really similar to the structure of the test and legitimate prep books, although the content is obviously quite different.  As with all good parodies, it's the degree of faithfulness to the original that makes it truly effective.  It would certainly help a stressed out junior or senior relax before taking (or retaking) the test, which will help them do better and not psyche themselves out.

Teachers could also use parts of this book to review test-taking strategies (carefully picking the questions to use), to reduce stress heading into a real test, and as a source of funny questions to tack onto assignments and tests of their own.  It would also be helpful if you're interested in reliving and/or understanding what their high school students are going through, especially if it's been a while since you were in their shoes.

There's math, reading passages, analogies, essays and all of the typical types of sections you would see on the real test.  Here are some sample questions:

Mathematics: Ashley is twice as popular as Brittany, but half as popular as Desiree.  Camille is three times as popular as Desiree, but actually would love to have long straight hair.  How much more popular is Camille than Brittany?

A) 6 times as popular
B) 12 times as popular
C) Camille would actually love to have long straight hair.
D) 3 times as popular
E) Is this math?  That is so not popular!

Sentence Completions: The freshman realized it was time to do his laundry when -------.

A) he opened the laundry bag and the carbon-monoxide detector went off
B) his jeans jumped up from the floor and wrapped themselves around his neck
C) his roommate moved into a hotel
D) Campus Security cordoned off his room as a biohazard
E) he heard the wailing and grinding of zipper teeth from the floor of his closet

Essay: Why aren't white people cool?  Would it help if they could jump?

These are admittedly some of the tamer entries, and I must again stress that someone who is easily offended will flip out over the content of this book.  For everyone else, it's a great way to help calm someone gearing up for the SAT.

Get The BSAT Official Study Guide: 350 Questions You'll Never See on the SAT! at Amazon.  Read more about the book and the authors at BSAT World.

Also, I'm giving away a copy of the book.  All I ask is that you share your most hilarious and/or horrifying test taking experience, SAT or otherwise, in the comments below by midnight CST this Saturday, 3/6.  Good luck!

Contest: Win a Copy of Don't Swear With Your Mouth Full!

If my review of Don't Swear with Your Mouth Full! When Conventional Discipline Fails Unconventional Children and interview (parts one and two) with author Cary Chugh, Ph. D has piqued your interest, you'll definitely be interested in a contest to win a copy of the book!

The contest is simple: Share your most hilarious example of unsuccessful discipline in your classroom or at home.  Leave it in the comments section for this post (this is the only way to enter).  The funniest one (as judged by yours truly) will receive a free copy of Don't Swear With Your Mouth Full!.

There are no restrictions or requirements beyond what I said above.

Contest entries are due by Saturday, November 21st at 11:59 PM CST.  Good luck!