Making It Work: Summer Reading 2017

Summer Reading List:
Professional Development, Second Edition

Summer is finally here! After I take a little time to relax and recharge, the planning and organizing for next year will begin. As usual, I have chosen three professional books to read over the summer to enrich, inspire and improve my teaching for next year. Here is what is on my list for 2017.

Discovering Orff by Jane Frazee

This is one of those texts that I wanted to purchase while taking levels, and the budget did not accommodate. I recently purchased a copy and I am excited to dive in. Chapters include; Orff Media, Orff Pedagogy, Orff Theory and a breakdown of sequence and skills for grades one through five. While flipping though the book the explanations and examples seem to be written in an easy to understand format that will enrich the Orff experience for my students next year.

The Ways Children Learn Music: An Introduction and Practical Guide to Music Learning Theory by Eric Bluestine

I am an Orff-inspired teacher through and through, and I recognize the benefits of understanding and using a variety of ideas. This summer I am taking Gordon’s Music Learning Theory: Applications to the General Music Classroom. I am reading this book as a way to front-load my thinking for the class. It is a clear, easy to read overview of Music Learning Theory. The book explains what Music Learning Theory is, and is in a easy to digest format. There are musical examples that have made me think differently about how I will frame and present material to my students in future lessons.

Smarter, Faster, Better: The Transformative Power of REAL Productivity by Charles Duhigg.

I am sure I am not the only teacher around who feels like there is just not enough time in the day, week or school year to get everything done. Often I look around at colleagues and friends and think, “When do they have time to get all of that amazing stuff done?” This book presents eight key concepts that emphasize ways to improve my personal productivity, and to change the way I view the world and make choices that will result in getting more done in less time.

What does your summer professional reading list include?  Please share titles you plan to read or re-read in the comments below. It may be just the inspiration someone else is looking for to make his or her summer reading list work.

For even more ideas, view last year’s reading list here.

Happy summer!