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Book Discussions

Getting your staff to commit to a book study, with multiple meetings, may be tough.  Your English teacher who is also the volleyball, forensics, and drama coach just doesn't have multiple days free to meet.  Instead try book discussions-- everyone reads the book, meet once for an hour of indepth discussion.  You'll find staff continuing the conversation and discussion will continue in the weeks and months to come.

Consider one of the books listed below. 
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No Such Thing As a Bad Kid
by Charles D. Appelstein

"Understanding and responding to the challenging behavior of troubled children and youth," this book is specifically written for people who work with children-- especially children with challenging behaviors.  In a systematic way it outlines how to look at and respond to behavior as well as providing specific guidelines for making it work in a variety of settings. 
265 pages; easy to follow; good for beginning staff, and good review for experienced staff.

Discussion Questions
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Drive, The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
​By Daniel H. Pink

"Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life (and education!).  He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose-and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action. "
Interesting implication for education and possibly why we are getting less from our students instead of more. 


​
Video outlines the premise of the book-- will motivate you to learn more.
​Time: 18:31

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher

The book was published in 2007.  The Netflix series with the same name, released this year, has caused quite a stir in professional communities. 
Great book for adults and those working with teens to read and talk about. What are the mental health and suicide concerns in the book and series; are the same implications of concern in your community?

Discussion Guide
13 Reasons Why Resources- American School Counselors Association
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Definitely one of my favorite picks for a staff read-- a year later we still make references to this book. 
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

By Susan Cain
"
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society. In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. " 
​--Amazon

Information has implications for education-- from how we engage with students and staff to how classrooms are arranged.

Set up for book promotion:
Email staff link to Ted Talk by Susan Cain (author)
Email link to Introvert/Extrovert quiz 

Book Discussion:
Ice Breaker- have staff wear name tag with their Instrovert/Extrovert score
Discussion Guide (focuses on aspects that affect education)

The Primal Teen

By Barbara Strauch

“How can we ever help kids with problems if we don’t know what normal is?”  (p. 14)

In education we spend countless hours on teacher effectiveness and curriculum, but how well do we know the developmental workings of the teenage brain? Learn what brain science teaches us about adolescents and how to effectively work with kids from 12-25. 

Strauch, the medical science and health editor at the New York Times, presents research geared toward helping parents, but it has strong implication for schools and anyone working with teens.  You'll understand why it's pointless to ask a teen, "What were you thinking?" and why adolescents seem to be on a different clock.

Discussion Guide by chapter

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Mindset

By Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

"Dweck explains why it’s not just our abilities and talent that bring us success–but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. She makes clear why praising intelligence and ability doesn’t foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, but may actually jeopardize success. With the right mindset, we can motivate our kids and help them to raise their grades, as well as reach our own goals–personal and professional. Dweck reveals what all great parents, teachers, CEOs, and athletes already know: how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area."                     --Amazon

Discussion Guide
Chapter Summaries

Wonder
by R.J. Palacio

Read one of the same books your middle school students are reading.  In Wonder, "August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out."                                                                    --Amazon

Book Discussion
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Counting by 7s

​by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Juvenile fiction.  A book that will add to discussion about resilience and ACEs. Also lighter reading so you're not burdening your staff.  

"Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius. Her world is suddenly and  tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read."   Amazon

Book Discussion Questions