Summer Reading for Teachers - Top Stories from the 2025-26 School Year

In past years, I've ambitiously published a long list of summer learning opportunities for educators. (Last year, I never quite got anything published.)

This summer, I will start smaller and focus on the stories and articles I added to my Chrome reading list this past year. In the rush of a school year, there are just too many that I never found the time to explore. Time to remedy that!

To help me hold myself accountable, I will explore one or two articles each week and add any that I find valuable to this post. Stop by weekly or wait until the end of the summer to be part of my learning experience. 

Book Recommendation - The Depth Advantage by John Spencer

 The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World

by Dr. John Spencer

In a landscape of diminishing student focus and increasing teacher burnout, "The Depth Advantage" challenges the limitations of conventional, compliance-driven education. The book proposes a shift towards deeper learning, a pedagogical approach designed to equip students for a future dominated by artificial intelligence and automation. It systematically breaks down this approach into eight fundamental competencies: Focus, Mastery, Problem-Solving, Curiosity, Self-Direction, Resilience, Collaboration, and Communication. Through a blend of research, actionable strategies, and engaging narratives, the author provides a comprehensive framework for cultivating these essential skills, aiming to foster academic achievement and the development of well-rounded, adaptable human beings.

Imagine a classroom buzzing with genuine curiosity, where students are not just passive recipients of information but are empowered to think critically, persevere through challenges, and master concepts at their own pace. "The Depth Advantage" offers more than just a critique of the current educational climate; it provides a tangible and hopeful roadmap for creating such an environment. This book is a vital resource for any educator who has felt the strain of a system that often prioritizes speed over understanding. It will rekindle your passion for teaching by offering practical, creative strategies to move beyond the frustration of "fast clicks" and "instant answers," and instead guide your students toward the profound and lasting benefits of deep, meaningful learning.

Looking for more learning? Be sure to visit my Teaching and Learning Book Recommendations. 

Happy and Inspirational Music for Students

I'm searching for songs to add to this playlist, which I will share with my students as a gift at the end of the year.

Happy and Inspirational Songs for the Soul

(YouTube Playlist)

It's a work in progress, so please let me know if you have any additional suggestions in the comments below. 

Little Language Lessons - Learning Experiments with Gemini

 

The Little Language Lessons page on Google Labs features three experimental tools designed to make language learning more practical and integrated into everyday life.

Reboot the Noggin - 2024 Reflection Activity for Teachers & Learners

 

Learn to Create - Create to Learn

I love being an educator and am always excited to return to school after a break, but I don't think many of my students feel the same way. This is one reason I always try to return after the break with something outside our content. Something that I hope will be fun, reflective, and inspiring for my learners.

Today, I am sharing a HyperDoc designed to help students reflect on 2024 and set some goals for 2025.