Unlearning

By: Allison Posey and Katie Novak 

Book reviewed by: Steve Ramos 

Book Synopsis:

Unlearning, a 2020 publication by UDL gurus Allison Posey and Katie Novak challenges readers to think about what, why, and how they teach.  This book takes the reader through the “unlearning cycle” by exploring the importance of variability, knowing and clarifying goals for the lesson, transforming techniques we’ve used in the past, prioritizes student engagement, and scaffolds expert learning.  This book is essential for those on their UDL journey and provides exercises and examples that will help us all on our cycle to unlearn and learn again!

Why I Recommend This Book: 

The January book-of-the-month "Caffeinated Learning" , by Anne Benninghof, is a great professional development resource. This book is helpful for school leadership, coaches, or anyone involved in facilitating meetings, delivering presentations or webinars. 

This books' ease of use, straight-forward key takeaways, and reflective questions presented after each chapter is helpful.  I especially appreciate Anne's view of the adult learner as an integral part of the whole professional development process and the importance of interactive engagement. Reading this book generated new thinking, and rejuvenated the whole process of professional development. This book is a great tool for generating ideas in the delivery and planning of professional development.  Chapters are concise, delivering insight through humor, example and illustration. Key takeaways are summarized and the reader is drawn into participation through next-step questions. 

Beninghof's book is the perfect balance. She brings to the table extensive real-world experience doing professional development and a wealth of knowledge about best practices. In this book, Beninghof provides a concise but thorough guide that takes you from conception to implementation, seamlessly connecting research with practical suggestions to make our lives as trainers easier and create the most effective sessions possible.

Why I Recommend This Book:

The Distance Learning Playbook

By: Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie  

Book reviewed by: Liesl Blackwell

Book Synopsis:

The February book of the month is The Distance Learning Playbook: Teaching for Engagement & Impact in Any Setting Grades K-12. This Playbook is designed to walk educators through the identification of how best practices look in face-to-face learning as well as in virtual/distance learning. The central themes driving the work are:

• Teacher clarity and feedback is used to fuel students’ ability to become their own teachers (they are assessment-capable learners).

• Methods for measuring the impact of teaching are used to understand each student’s progress and achievement, with adjustments to teaching made accordingly.

• Investment in collaboration with adults and relationships with students is continuous.

The playbook is broken into modules: 

1. Take Care of Yourself

2. The First days of School

3. Teacher-Student Relationships from a Distance

4. Teacher Credibility at a Distance

5. Teacher Clarity at a Distance

6. Engaging Tasks

7. Planning Instructional Units for Distance Learning

8. Feedback, Assessment, and Grading

9. Learning, Distance or Otherwise

The modules are designed to move educators through a process that begins and ends with the standards, from analysis through assessment. The ultimate goal is to aid teachers in building a habit of mind for how it is that we systematically and efficiently analyze standards, build curriculum, teach, and assess, and to do it regularly for our instruction.

Why I Recommend This Book: 

Self-Care for Educators

By: Dr. Tina H. Boogren

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