So teachers, I could really use your help with a project. It won't take much of your time. I want to know why you stay in the classroom despite all the overwhelming and disheartening obstacles we must face on a daily basis. Check out the details here.
Because I am working on the aforementioned project, I haven't been very productive in my own pleasure reading this past week. The only book I finished was:
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
According to Godin, a tribe is a group of people connected to an idea and a leader. And while this book may be called Tribes, it is really about how to LEAD a tribe and what it takes to be a leader. Leaders are heretics. They take risks and they refuse to maintain the status quo.
While I liked the message in this book, it felt like I was reading a Powerpoint presentation more than a book. I can imagine Godin standing up in an arena full of people who paid their $1500 to come see him for the day and using the information in this book as a structure for a motivational speech. I wanted a bit more substance however, and I also wanted more credibility in the form of a references section, works cited or bibliography in the back of the book, which was not included.
Currently reading:
When Teaching Gets Tough: Smart Ways to Reclaim Your Game by Allen N. Mendler
I just started this book so I don't yet have an assessment for how effective it is, but I'm hoping it will be helpful for my teacher retention project. At the moment, there's not much substance to the message.
Currently listening:
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
I'm only on disc two of this novel but I'm already hooked. I love Bea and Jonah.
Other posts from last week:
Finding Joy
Dinner at my favorite restaurant is all I need to cheer me up
It's time for an educational "Uprising"
Instead of expressing love for a character, one student has a score to settle
I need to find a nice, inspiring book for teachers, too. I wonder what the best are....
ReplyDeleteHere's my It's Monday! Hope you'll stop by!
I will think about your project and send you a picture sometime this week. I am glad to hear your thoughts on Tribes. It is one of the books that I have heard a lot about lately and I am glad to have some more information. It sounds like that one can wait.
ReplyDeleteBoth Tribes and When Teaching Gets Tough sound like books I need to read right now. I'm not only adding them to the TBR pile but making them a priority!
ReplyDeleteThanks for highlighting them! Happy Reading!
I loved How To Say Goodbye in Robot - such a wonderful book. Must pick up Tribes.
ReplyDeleteHow to Say Goodbye in Robot is so good, but I think the cover choice really hurts it. I think it would appeal to both male and female readers, but I think most boys avoid it because it's pink! Here is my week http://wp.me/pzUn5-1su
ReplyDeleteI really need to squeeze in some professional reading. I did so much better with that last year. Hope you enjoy your reading.
ReplyDeleteHow to Say Goodbye in Robot sounds interesting. I'm glad you are enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Tribes, but I agree, I wanted more...but I think the message wasn't necessarily that there is a way to really lead other than find who needs to be lead and don't be afraid to go for it. I was inspired but I also had something I had been thinking about for a while that I was ready to make a leap with. What about Mindset? Have you read that? I loved her book and the reminder of how much our mindset and our students' mindsets influences what we are doing. Oh! Or what about Covey? Have you read the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? I have to be honest, I haven't, but my colleagues are always talking about focusing on your circle of influence and maybe that would be helpful to you? Keep searching, you'll find something!
ReplyDeleteI got excited to read the beginning of what you said about Tribes, then deflated. I'll keep it on a list, but maybe there are better books out there with the same topic! I'll watch for your opinions on the others, Beth. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's still inspiring, just a little hokey in places. And yeah, I'm still not happy about the lack of a works cited/bibliography.
DeleteOk, just the title of "How to say goodbye in robot" is too cute. I'm interested!
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
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