I’m lucky to teach in a school where I’m continually inspired by so many around me – both students and colleagues.  I’ve never been more inspired to learn and grow as an educator.  It feels like home – the rigor, the philosophies, the attitude.  Never one to rest on my laurels, I’m continually looking to get my hands on as much information as I can consume.  

Create Compose Connect! Reading, Writing, and Learning with Digital Tools by Jeremy Hyler and Troy Hicks – Hicks and Hyler give new meaning to LOL – Learn Out Loud.  The pedagogy they discuss and model for digital learning and connections in the English classroom is inspiring. I’m currently using the book review and corresponding movie trailer/comic strip as an independent reading choice book project with my freshmen.  There’s so many more usable examples here – I can’t wait to try more.

Write Like This – Teaching Real-World Writing Through Modeling & Mentor Texts by Kelly Gallagher . . .I actually purchased this when it was first published a few years ago but am re-visiting it this year.  I use writing exercises in here as supplements to “hook” my student writers, to help them understand the connections between their academic writing and the “real-world” writing they will be performing beyond school.  I appreciate Gallagher’s sensible ideas.

They Say, I Say The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein – I’m intrigued by this one.  My department chair recommended it – I see use of this on all levels that I teach.  Templates for helping students understand the rhetoric of argument is arguably doable.  Articulating sound arguments with supported evidence is such an essential life skills – each year at school, students need practice with this.

“Uncovering Substance:  Teaching Revision in High School Classrooms by Jessica Singer Early & Christina Saidy in Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy . . . I’m continually looking for ways to revise the way I teach revision.  Revision is an integral part of writing, and I don’t want students to think it’s just one more step they need to go through the motions to “get the grade” on their essays.  Reflection is key for learning and growing, and students should master this essential real-life skill before tackling greater writing experiences.

“Seven Reasons for Standards Based Grading” by Patricia Scriffny in Educational Leadership . . . My principal and assistant principal spoke about this very recently.  While I’ve heard and read about SBG before, it makes more and more sense to me as we move forward.  I’m still wrapping my head around it, learning and trying – articles like this one make the theories and applications more clear.

The Art of Social Media – Power Tips for Power Users by Guy Kawasaki & Peg Fitzpatrick – As an educator, I’m very interested in ways we can use social media to impact student learning.  I truly feel, when planned carefully, student interest and habitual use of social media can be channeled in a way to further understanding of class content.  As a blogger, I’m intrigued on ways to “brand” oneself to gain significant connections with others in your professional fields.

Journalism Education Today from the Journalism Education Association . . . I’m anxious to read my first copy of this!   I recently added this membership to my list of professional associations as I’m thoroughly enjoying my first year with my school’s newspaper.   This is another great way I get to fulfill my passion for digital writing, media, p.r. and journalism!

What are you currently reading?  I’d love to hear what fellow educators are reading to stay inspired?  Thanks for stopping by!~