Professional Practice Readings

Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time.

Author: Susan Scott PUBLISHER: Berkley Books New York 2004 READ: 2014 Summary: The text helps to prepare for situations when a fierce conversation is necessary. In the public profession conflict is bound to occur and this text highlights ways in order to resolve this conflict. Reaction: The teachings within this text are fundamental in resolving conflict and preparing to have the difficult conversations. I will be utilizing this within my practice in order to resolve conflict as it may occur when working with administration, co-workers and parents.

Moving Beyond: Understanding the Impacts of Residential Schools

Author: Brent Stonefish Publisher: Owen Sound, Ont. : Ningwakwe Learning Press, 2007. Read: 2014 Summary: Moving Beyond, discusses the hardships, pain and loss that the Aboriginal people and culture have endured. It discusses the cycle of abuse, and how it has been perpetuated through generations. It also highlights the ways that the Aboriginal culture is taking steps to heal their people and their communities. Reaction: This text was unlike any other that I had read on the subject of Residential Schools. This text was written by an Aboriginal and I would say that this text is a necessary read. I was devastated that the Aboriginal Culture endured such abuse, devastation and loss. Residential Schools were still in operation as late at 1996. I feel that this text is a vital read for those who would like to become educators because there will be students entering the classroom whose parents and grandparents were affected by residential schools and as teachers we need to be aware in case there is resistance or anger. This text has also taught me about the medicine wheel and how vital it is to the Aboriginal Culture, and would be something I would like to share with my class regardless of religious or cultural backgrounds.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.

Author: Richard Louv Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill 2006 Read:2014 Summary: Last Child in the Woods discusses the shift that has occurred from Children being active in nature to having very little opportunities to venture into nature. The text also discusses the focus that is being placed on technology instead of students becoming actively involved in the exploration of nature. Reaction: Naturalistic Intelligence is one of the Multiple Intelligences that is forgotten when planning lessons, and it is vital that students have opportunities to be involved in nature. Students are the future who will be required to maintain nature, and if they are not provided with the required skills or enlightened about how their very survival depends on nature. I will do everything within my power to educate my students about the wonders of nature and how it can sustain future generations if it is looked after today.

Tribes Learning Communities

Author: Jeanne Gibbs Publisher: Center Source Systems 2006 Read: 2014 Summary: Tribes teaches individuals how to work effectively within a group and community setting where everyone welcome and all opinions are valued.

Reaction: This training should be a necessity for all teachers. There is more emphasis in the learning profession to be able to work in a group with others and collaborate effectively. I know this is a skill that I will be able to implement in my classroom.