Edpuzzle Blog

Illustration by Edpuzzle Staff

Congrats teachers! You’ve survived a very stressful school year and now deserve a restful vacation.

Summer is here and that means either two things. You want to disconnect from school-related things or you want to reflect and grow your practice for next year.

Whatever your preference is, we've got a book recommendation for you!

To step up your edtech game: 99 Tips for Creating Simple and Sustainable Educational Videos: A Guide for Online Teachers and Flipped Classes

99Tips

When faced with the challenge of remote learning, many teachers found themselves making their own educational videos for the first time. That’s why Karen Costa’s book couldn’t come at a better time! From tips on what tools to record with to what content to create, this book covers it all in an easy and straightforward way.

We love that it includes QR codes in the text so that you can see sample videos and screencasts as you read. As school districts start to consider their options for next year, this is a great resource to learn more about blended learning and the flipped classroom model.

To relax with a beach read: Real Men Knit

Real Men Knit

Just the title of this book draws us in! When their adoptive mother passes away, Jessie Strong and his brothers must decide what to do with her neighborhood knitting store.

When one of the shop's employees offers to help, sparks fly but not without a little bit of drama for Jessie. Light and fun to read, Kwana Jackson’s book will be the perfect way to chill by the pool.

To learn how to teach the tough stuff: Teaching When the World Is on Fire

TeachingvWhen The World

Our students are facing a critical moment in history. As issues of hate speech, police brutality and climate change dominate the news, teachers can’t help but wonder what their role should be in all of this. Lisa Delpit’s book is a collection of short essays written by teachers and school leaders who struggled with the same question.

These inspiring and practical essays show us that this is a difficult process that we need to tackle head on. Our favorite piece of advice about starting the conversation comes from a high school dean who recommends, “Say exactly what you are feeling. That will mean more to your students than you may ever know.”

To feel young again: A Song Below Water

A Song Below Water

YA literature isn’t just for teens any more and books like Bethany C. Morrow’s show us why. In this novel set in Portland, Oregon, two 16 year-old girls learn about friendship and explore their identity while dealing with heavy issues like racism and sexism.

What makes this story unique? One of the girls is a mermaid and must learn how to control her super powers. As a reader, you can’t help but remember your own path of self-discovery and get captivated by the elements of fantasy woven in.

To laugh your butt off: Go See the Principal: True Tales from the School Trenches

Go See The Principal

Sometimes only other teachers can understand the ups and downs of teaching. Elementary school principal and popular YouTuber Gerry Brooks shares hilarious anecdotes and helpful advice that any educator will appreciate.

From stories of when lesson plans fall through to when kids throw temper tantrums over the smallest things, you’ll find yourself cracking up and nodding your head all the way through.

To brush up on the classics: Villette

Villette

Many of us first read Charlotte Brontë’s work when we were assigned Jane Eyre in school. Whether you loved Jane Eyre or not, many people say Villette is an even better Brontë book. The story follows Lucy Snowe, a young woman who moves from England to France to start a new life teaching at a boarding school.

As she tries to forget her troubled past and establish her independence, she starts to develop feelings for two different men that make her doubt her progress. We love this honest and ground-breaking portrayal of a woman during that time.

To scare the pants off of you: The Only Good Indians

The Only Good Indians

Sometimes, there’s nothing like a good scare to keep you on your feet! Stephan Graham Jones mixes horror and drama in this story of four Native American men from the Blackfoot Nation tribe looking to leave behind a troubling event from their childhood.

Things heat up when a mysterious being starts looking for revenge in very dark ways. The best part? The author is actually a member of the Blackfoot Nation tribe and blends in a lot of authentic cultural knowledge.

To organize your workspace: Joy at Work

Joy at Work

How many of us went through our house last year and picked up things to see if they sparked joy? After her best-selling book and hit television show, Marie Kondo is back with a new book on decluttering your workspace.

Although her advice is mostly geared towards the office desk job, we still think the online and offline organizational tips might benefit those of us who are a bit messier in the classroom.

What do you think of our recommendations? Have you read any already? Tag us on Twitter and let us know!

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