Awesome...I am so glad that this has become a sticky!
I just wanted to pass along a few titles to everyone. First off, I wanted to recommend
The Nightly Book of Positive Quotations by Steve Deger. I was elected as the vice president of our local association (our district's "teachers union") in June. Because morale and climate is so poor, we are trying a few things to help bring everyone together and create a more positive atmosphere. One of the things we're doing is "Quote of the Day" where we email positive quotes to the entire staff each morning. I am so very excited about this.
I found Deger's book while looking for quote books the other night at Barnes & Noble. It is the most beautiful little book ever. It actually FEELS GOOD in your hands. There's even a ribbon to keep your place as the pages are organized by day.
Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Nightly-Book-Positive-Quotations/dp/1577491882
Second, I want to recommend a book for teachers and parents.
Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire is an excellent book I read earlier this week. The author, Rafe Esquith, is a very unique teacher who devotes countless hours (even beyond what you'd think) to his kids. The story is incredible and the text offers some very real ideas that could be implemented in any classroom or home right away.
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Like-Your-Hairs-Fire/dp/0670038156
Currently, I'm reading Esquith's first book,
There Are No Shortcuts. It was published in 2003 which ironically is the same exact year that I began working at my current school district. This book is also excellent and functions more as a memoir of a teacher and parent than instructional/methods book. I am thoroughly enjoying it. This text has received slightly more criticism that the one above because many find Esquith's dedication and drive overwhelming. I find it inspiring.
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/There-Are-Shortcuts-Rafe-Esquith/dp/1400030838/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
As a side note, Esquith is a fifth grade teacher (like me) in California. He works in the Los Angeles public school known as "The Jungle" due to its rough neighborhood and outside influences. I looked him up the other night, after I finished
Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire, and emailed him a question. He wrote back within two hours and asked for a time he could call me and phone number. I was stunned!!!!
Esquith called me the very next day. We had a lovely conversation and I learned a lot. He also reaffirmed many of my feelings regarding the standardized testing epidemic America is facing and solid literacy education. He said we should keep in contact and do it again sometime. I don't know any other author who has been as generous as him. When I first picked up and admitted my surprise in his calling me, his response was that he was just a normal person like me...a normal teacher and we're all in this together. That alone spoke volumes.
Thanks!
kids hang out.
We've become a "sticky" group 
