Professional Learning for Busy Educators

The summer before kindergarten is a bittersweet time. Kids may be feeling a little grown up and excited about starting school with the big kids. Or, they may be filling a little trepidatious about the prospect of spending more time away from home. You can ease the transition by spending lots of time bonding with your rising kindergarteners while reading the books on this kindergarten summer reading list!

Want to spend your summer vacation getting inspired, smarter, healthier--or just want to be swept away by an amazing story of adventure or love? Do you want fun and crowd-pleasing recipes for summer entertaining, art books that make ideal gifts, or stories you can read to your child that will both educate and entertain?

The folks at TED have got you covered. TED just released its recommendations for 101 books for you to read this summer. The list, based on recommendations by dozens of the most compelling TED speakers, covers a spectrum of categories, from can't-put-them-down novels to health and nutrition, to books that will help you be more successful and productive at work.

As the folks at TED say, "No matter your mood, preference or occasion, we've got you covered." You can find their full list of recommendations here. Meantime, here are a few of their most appealing picks:

Teaching is an exhausting gig and when teachers take the time to rest during the summer, they able to find a place of renewal and restoration. Research has demonstrated that rest is vital for maintaining our passion and reaching our creative potential. However, it’s easy to go through the summer without finding any true restoration. In this article and podcast, we explore what it looks like to make rest a priority in the summer.

Great school leaders aren’t measured by how much they accomplish from August to June, but rather, how their students grow and thrive year after year. In the summer months, it is vital for leaders to reflect, innovate and strategize on making the next school year successful.

In my work at CT3, I see effective educators who make great use of the summer months. Here are some ideas:

By now I’m sure you know the importance of reading with your kids especially when school is out to help avoid the dreaded summer slide.  As a parent, I know how full life can be during the summer months (and all year round), but I’m a firm believer in prioritizing.  If reading is one of your top priorities then you’ll make the time for it – period.  No excuses.  Even if you’re only able to read for just five minutes per day.

Before we get into the list, I wanted to highlight a few ways to make summer reading fun for kids (and you too!) These tips are probably ones you’ve heard many times before, but may help to serve as a reminder or spark some new ideas for you and your family.