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This is a list of some of the professional books that we recommend that you keep on your personal shelf. We will update it periodically. These are the titles that have taught us so much about best practice. They are the "best of the best." Pick a book off the shelf (of your closest book store) and dig in. Consider these titles the meat and potatoes of teaching. And of course, Effective Teaching Solutions will be adding to this list with our own titles soon! 

• Mosaic of Thought by Ellen Keene and Susan Zimmerman

Mosaic of Thought is a deep book and is not for the faint hearted. Keene and Zimmerman base their work on the work of eminent researcher David Pearson. This book focuses on what good readers do. Mosaic of Thought is at the very heart of current thinking and best practice in the teaching of reading.

• Strategies that Work by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis

Harvey and Goudvis take the work of Keene and Zimmerman and make it teacher friendly and classroom practical. They offer countless strategies for teaching reading as well as deep insight.

• Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller

First grade teacher, Debbie Miller, shows us how to apply the above two books in new ways. Her book is amazingly practical and is relevant and applicable to all grade levels even though she writes from a first grade perspective.

• Literature Circles by Harvey Daniels

Harvey "Smoky" Daniels is the "Father of Literature Circles." His book is easy to read and teaches us all of the basics for conducting literature circles in the classroom.

• Wondrous Words by Katie Wood Ray

This book changed my writing and teaching life. Ray takes us to new depths and teaches us how to "read like writers" and use "authors as mentors". Her book is packed with wonderful writing possibilities. It's appropriate for all teachers of writing.

• Creating Writers by Vicki Spandel

Creating Writers is a book about the 6 Traits of Writing Analytical Assessment and Instructional Rubrics. Spandel explains the 6 traits in depth, offers scored papers as examples and teaching ideas. She has a primary edition as well.

• 6 + 1 Traits of Writing by Ruth Culham

This book is a teacher friendly book for teaching the 6 traits of writing. In this book you will find simple explanations, rubrics, scored papers and teaching examples. There is also a primary edition.

• Awakening the Heart by Georgia Heard

Georgia Heard is the epitome of poetry. Her "6 Rooms" strategy is worth the book by itself. Your kids will write amazing poetry after you teach this procedure. But hang onto your hat, because Georgia gives you so much more, including wonderful ideas for poetry centers.

• The Art of Teaching Reading by Lucy Calkins

Calkins is a master teacher. Her book is a model of teaching for primary reading. 

• The Art of Teaching Writing by Lucy Calkins

Calkins is also the "queen of writing teachers." Her book is a classic and a must have for the serious teacher of writing.

• A Fresh Look at Writing by Donald Graves

If Calkins is the "queen," then Graves is the "king." This is another classic must have for your writing shelf.

• Invitations by Regie Routman

Routman invites teachers into the reading classroom and teaches us the foundational components for teaching reading. Her book is an important resource that every reading teacher should have on their shelf.

• Conversations by Regie Routman

Conversations is the update on Invitations. Routman adds new thinking and new resources to her famous blue pages.

• Reading Essentials by Regie Routman

Reading Essentials is an easy read and a must have for all elementary teachers (and I dare say secondary teachers). Routman's models for reading aloud are worth the entire book.

• Writing Essentials by Regie Routman

Routman's newest book, Writing Essentials is a wonderful exploration of writing. Routman knows how to put it all together and even demonstrates it in the CD that accompanies the book.

• What Writers Need by Ralph Fletcher

Ralph is the man and this is the book to have if you teach writing. This book gets down to "explanations" and examples that are downright valuable when we get into the classroom. Ralph is a writer who knows how to teach writers and teachers of writers. You definitely want this book.

• Classrooms that Work by Patricia Cunningham

This is one of the first professional books that I ever read and it remains one of the best. Cunningham has updated editions now. You'll find this practical book easy to read. This book will impact you by causing you to reflect and rethink your approach to teaching reading.

• Practical Poetry by Sarah Holbrook

Sara Holbrook is a fabulous poet and a hoot of a speaker. She knows how to entertain and she knows poetry. Her book is a practical book for teachers that helps us integrate poetry into our classrooms all year long. It's full of lessons and ideas that meet national standards.

• The Key Elements of Classroom Management by McLeod, Fisher, and Hoover

For classroom management - look no further. This is best book you can get your hands on. It's perfect for new teachers and a nice stretch and refresher for experienced teachers. P.S. Turn to page 82 to find Lisa Frase's classroom standards (rules).

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