My school year ended last week and I’m looking forward to doing some things that I didn’t have time for during the last crazy months of the school year. One of those things is reading some books at a leisurely pace. For those of you who are planning to do the same this summer, here are some of my recommended reads.
- Invent to Learn by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager.
- I’ve been recommending this book for years. It’s now on its second edition. It’s more than just a “nuts and bolts” approach to makerspaces.
- Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning by Scott McLeod and Julie Graber.
- This offers short and practical ways to update some “old, reliable” lesson plans through the use of engaging technologies.
- The Joy of Search by Daniel Russell.
- Nobody knows search like Dan Russell. As Google’s head of “search quality and user happiness” Dan offers great insight and strategies for conducting better searches.
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- This book changed the way that I think about my work. While I haven’t implemented all of his suggestions, following some of them has made me a better manager of my time and energy.
- Arduino Workshop by John Boxall
- This book is now on its second edition. I used the first edition as my playbook for teaching Arduino to my ninth grade students.
- Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure by Matthew Algeo
- This is a fun read for anyone interested in U.S. History and a lighter side of Harry Truman. The author chronicles the road trip that Harry and Bess Truman took from Missouri to New York and back in 1953. You’ll learn about the Truman’s, the development of the U.S. highway system, and get lots of bits of “Americana” along the way.