This week I am away at the beach (Emerald Isle, NC) with my besties and a few of our kiddos. It’s so nice to get away and not have to worry about anything! My husband says all we talk about is work (they are both educators too) and while we do talk about that A LOT, it’s certainly not the only thing. We have had a few dance parties, eaten way too much food and laughed endlessly at each other. Elijah, my youngest child, is with me. Brady is spending one on one time with Daddy at home.
Eli's chillin like a villian....
I have had some time to start planning for next year. This time of the year is so exciting for me. Even though I’m teaching summer school part-time(first graders-no comment) My good friend Lindsey (co-department chair and true partner in crime) and I have been cranking out some amazing plans for next year.
Besides, endless hours of stalking PINTEREST (I mean it’s really changing the sharing of information for teachers isn’t it? It’s simply amazing) I have been reading and rereading a few MUST-HAVE books, that to me are absolute non-negotiables for any English teacher.
Gay Ivey & Douglas Fisher’s Creating Literacy–Rich Schools for Adolescents
I was assigned this book when I was getting my master’s degree in Reading. It’s by far one of the best books I have ever read in terms of teaching middle school English. As a department chair, it’s value is immeasurable. The Quality Indicators for Secondary Literacy are a must have for anyone who is trying to create and run an effective literacy rich school. Teachers, Department Chairs and Administrators should all have this book on hand.
I was assigned this book when I was getting my master’s degree in Reading. It’s by far one of the best books I have ever read in terms of teaching middle school English. As a department chair, it’s value is immeasurable. The Quality Indicators for Secondary Literacy are a must have for anyone who is trying to create and run an effective literacy rich school. Teachers, Department Chairs and Administrators should all have this book on hand.
Nancy Atwell’s In the Middle and The Reading Zone
In The Middle is like the bible of relevant middle school English teaching. If you have never read it, get on Amazon right now and order it!! This book will remind you about why you became an English teacher and how to really ignite your student’s love for it too. Her follow up, The Reading Zone has even more great mini-lessons and ideas for any language arts teacher. If you are a Donalyn Miller follower, then you will love her predecessor Nancy Atwell)
In The Middle is like the bible of relevant middle school English teaching. If you have never read it, get on Amazon right now and order it!! This book will remind you about why you became an English teacher and how to really ignite your student’s love for it too. Her follow up, The Reading Zone has even more great mini-lessons and ideas for any language arts teacher. If you are a Donalyn Miller follower, then you will love her predecessor Nancy Atwell)
Marilyn Pryle’s Writing Workshop in the Middle School
I cannot wait for the next school year to start my Writer’s Workshop. This chick is one smart lady. For anyone that wants to try Writer’s Workshop in the middle school, get this book immediately. Pryle spells it all out for the secondary teacher, from laying the groundwork to different levels of assignment difficulty. She covers everything. I can’t wait to try all of her great ideas. Plus, there are so many pages that are already pre-made and ready to copy!
I cannot wait for the next school year to start my Writer’s Workshop. This chick is one smart lady. For anyone that wants to try Writer’s Workshop in the middle school, get this book immediately. Pryle spells it all out for the secondary teacher, from laying the groundwork to different levels of assignment difficulty. She covers everything. I can’t wait to try all of her great ideas. Plus, there are so many pages that are already pre-made and ready to copy!
ANYTHING written by Kelly Gallagher. (My coworkers think that I have a tinsy winsy little crush on this man. Apparently I talk about him a lot. But I’m sorry, he’s a freaking genius. I’m trying to figure out how to write a grant so I can go stalk (I mean observe) him in his classroom. Everything he writes is relevant and amazing. Currently, I am re-reading his Write Like This book which really hits on the importance of writing in today’s world.) But Reading Reasons, Readicide and all of his other books just simply rock.
*I have seen him in person by the way. He came and spoke at Longwood University last summer and I had a front row seat! It was awesome! I managed to control myself*
Mechanically Inclined by Jeff Anderson
We all know that grammar is a big old pain in the butt to teach. Not because we don’t want to teach it- Ok I really don’t -but some people do like it. But because it’s so hard to actually teach and have kids absorb and apply it. Jeff has some GENIUS ideas on how to make grammar teaching relevant and doable. This book has mini-lessons and explains how to effectively move grammar teaching into your Writer’s Workshop. Yay! I love his comma wall idea too, which I am so doing next year.
We all know that grammar is a big old pain in the butt to teach. Not because we don’t want to teach it- Ok I really don’t -but some people do like it. But because it’s so hard to actually teach and have kids absorb and apply it. Jeff has some GENIUS ideas on how to make grammar teaching relevant and doable. This book has mini-lessons and explains how to effectively move grammar teaching into your Writer’s Workshop. Yay! I love his comma wall idea too, which I am so doing next year.
If you are new to the classroom, or a veteran teaching looking to freshen up some of your language arts instruction, grab these books immediately! They will change the way you look at teaching in your classroom. What other books do you think are non-negotiables? 
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