Welcome to Leslie Owen Wilson's Best Picks List
This is a great time to find new materials that
relate to education -- especially ones that explain reformed educational ideas and practices. There are tremendous arrays of
materials readily available
as Internet resources.
Additionally, new
technological advances in science have helped give a clearer picture of just
how the human brain learns and retains information. Through these information
sources, and related educational research, the possibilities for
reforming and revising educational practices so that they are truly effective are
genuinely amazing.
What's here? There are a number of bibliographies
linked
below that lead to lists of great books representative of varied strands within
this site. These lists contain book recommendations in areas of creativity, on
maintaining ones' creative spirit, on curricular issues and instructional
design, and on recent trends in education. However, the books, resources, and
clips
listed on
this page are ones that are highly recommended because they are different, are
revolutionary, are by folks whose work can really make differences in the
lives of children, or because they help teachers and parents understand
something at much deeper levels. Also, in this section are listed books that are
meant to inspire teachers -- books that have been chosen because they can help
renew the spirit of teaching and teachers.
If you have one or two books or videos you'd
like me to consider posting, please send me the titles and a brief note as to why the
book or video is important to education reform, or to lives of children.
Thanks!
e-mail Leslie
Resources
that can make a difference in:
Teaching, living, learning, and understanding others
Abigail James has written a book on the male brain. The title
is deceptive as the book is chocked full of information on the importance of
experiential learning not only to males but to those females who respond better
to hands on learning. This is a must have book for today's teachers.
Eric Jensen's work
on brain-based education is
extremely readable, interesting, and applicable for use in any educational
setting. Here are some of his best books some of which are available through ASCD ( www.ascd.org )
- Different brains, different learners: How
to reach the hard to reach
- Arts with the brain in mind (ASCD)
- Teaching with the brain in mind
David A. Sousa is
another author who writes about brain-based learning. His work is also very
readable and he offers lots of information and numerous helpful hints about
brain compatible learning and illustrations on brain functions. (All those
listed are from Corwin Press)
- How the brain learns (3nd edition)
- How the special needs brain learns
- How the
Gifted Brain Learns.
- The Leadership Brain.
Dr. Mel Levine - He
is a pediatrician who is very concerned about the labels we place on children
with different learning needs. His work with children, his books and
presentations are making parents and teachers think about learning differences
in new ways.
- A mind at a time
- All kinds of minds
Gordon
MacKenzie offers priceless tips on how to maintain creativity within the
overwhelming rules and regulations of governmental and corporate structures.
Personally, this is one of my favorites and I use it in my graduate creativity
class. My students love it -- it helps them think outside the box and
offers insights into the real world or work.
- Orbiting the giant hairball
Mel Silberman's
book has written a book on teaching strategies that should be on every teacher's
shelf. Published by Allyn & Bacon.
- Active learning: 101 strategies to teach
any subject
Donna Walker Tileston
has written a short, but very effective, book for Corwin Press highlighting the
best teaching practices in light of recent educational trends and brain
research.
- 10 BEST teaching practices: How brain
research, learning styles, and standards define teaching competencies
Videos, Clips and Websites
All about understanding the
human mind
Recently PBS (Public Broadcast Television)
has produced several videos that are
extraordinary! These are available through the PBS Store and are very
reasonable. These should be viewed by both parents and
teachers.
- Misunderstood
minds - An in depth look at how children with learning problems are
in danger of failing not only school but life.
- The
secret life of the brain - A five part series on the evolution and
developmental life of the human brain.
-
TED
- Technology, Entertainment, Design - Started out as a conference in
1984 and brings together a phenomenal group of thinkers from all over the
world to share new ideas, concerns, as well as innovations. Site includes
many wonderful speeches by attendees. Listen to
TEDTalks. Here are
two of my favorite clips from TED talks
-
Isabel
Allende on the importance of passion
-
Sir Ken Robinson on the importance schools and creativity.
-
Daniel Goldman's presentation on compassion
Great link and site
PBS for Kids - Series of
links for kids, teachers and parents. Wonderful array of shows with guides,
challenges, and activities -- so great it makes one want to be a kid
again! Check out
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman
A Dynamite Resources Online
How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school -
A really nice resource for finding about the brain and
learning
Teaching
Tolerance Sponsored by the
Southern Poverty
Law Center , this site is dedicated to helping teachers, children and
parents eradicate hate and bigotry. Excellent resources many of which are free
to teachers.
Edutopia - The George Lucas
Educational Foundation (GLEF) sponsors a great website and educational
publication called
Edutopia.
The site includes the e-version of the magazine, and also many interesting
features like an extensive
video library
with short, downloadable clips on hot topics in education. It is one of my
favorite sites and publication.
The Whole
Child Network - New from ASCD
Books
for sustaining and nurturing the spirits of teachers
Teacher burnout is a very real condition in today's times. This is an important
book that is not just for principals but one that every teacher needs to read.
It has lots of good ideas for helping to renew and refresh the spirit of
teaching.
- Barbara L. Brock and Marilyn L. Grady. Rekindling the Flame: Principals combating
teacher burnout. Corwin Press, Inc
- Greta K. Nagel. The Tao Of Teaching.
Plume.
- Lynell Burmark. Enlighten Up! An
Educator's Guide to Stress-Free Living. (ASCD) Association of
Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Lots of good
stuff links
E-mail to Leslie
