In The Case for Make Believe, author Susan Linn discusses the need for children to be allowed to play and let their creativity flow. Linn believes that make believe play allows children to work through important issues and problems in their lives.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is a must read. It is a reflection on the life of the author, a terminally ill computer science professor. It is a lesson in humor, hope and inspiration.
Libraries, Schools & Communities
In Partners in Literacy, 371.33 C962p 2007, authors Sondra & Larry Cuban “describe ways that schools and libraries can collaborate to improve teaching and learning while building communities.”
Busy Teachers Website is a great source of help to teachers in grades K-12. It provides lesson plans, activities and site to site linking for an array of subjects.
Nerds, 371.95 A543n 2007, by David Anderegg examines the American stereotype of nerds and its affect on our children. The author also poses the question “Are American math and science scores so low because kids don’t want to be labeled nerds?”
Children’s Comprehension Problems in Oral and Written Language
“This book reviews significant advances in knowledge about how children learn to understand both oral and written language,and what can be done to help those who are having difficulties.”
The Feb. 25, 2008 issue of TIME magazine has a cover story that would interest anyone in the education field. “How to Make Better Teachers” discusses the topic of merit pay and how school districts can keep good teachers and pay them what they are worth.
In See Government Grow, 379.73 D249s 2007, author Gareth Davies discusses the U.S. government’s changing roll in public education from LBJ to No Child Left Behind.
In Educating the First Digital Generation, 371.33 H343e 2007, Harwood & Asal study the effects of computers on teaching and learning. They also examine the effects of not having access to computers due to some students’ socio-economic status.
In Children at Play, 305.23109 C559c 2007, author Howard Chudacoff examines childrens’ playing habits for the past 300 years. He draws many interesting connections between today’s kids lack of independent play and childhood obesity, learning disabilities and many other childhood problems.