1st Nine Weeks
Title: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less
Author: Cal Newport
Author: Cal Newport
Length: 216 pages
What the book is about:
In this book, author Cal Newport uses interviews with top students from some of the nation's most prestigious universities, as well as his own experiences at Dartmouth, to craft an approach to studying that will give you maximum return for minimum effort (compared to typical students who pull all-night cram sessions). His approach to studying smarter, not harder, allows students to do the best they can academically while still having plenty of time to enjoy the more fun aspects of college life such as socializing and getting involved in organizations that interest them.
What I liked/disliked about the book:
I liked how simple this book made it seem to get straight As in college. Newport starts with basic organizational and time management strategies that most college students never even consider, then moves to strategies for effectively studying for tests and writing papers. Speaking from experience, I wish I had read this book back when I started college. He lays out a program that is quite easy to follow with just a little bit of discipline, but the payoffs of the system have the potential to be life-changing for students.
Who would like this book:
I would recommend this book anyone with plans for higher education, especially high school seniors. As I said above, I wish I had read this book back when I started college, and I think they would benefit from the strategies presented here.
Title: How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country's Top Students
Author: Cal Newport
Length: 189 pages
What the book is about:
Cal Newport continues writing about how to be a successful college student in this book. Unlike How to Become a Straight-A Student, this book is presented as more of a numbered list of strategies and techniques, with each part of the list having a page or two of explanation. There are 75 items on the list that range from simple tasks like "make your bed every day" to more interesting things like "don't do all the reading for every class."
What I liked/disliked about the book:
I liked the list format of this book because it made it a very quick read. It was an easy task to sit down and just read a couple of items at a time and then come back to the book at a later time. Even though it was an easy read, though, I felt that it was full of valuable information. As mentioned above, suggestions like not reading all of the assigned material for class seem scary, but Newport gives you a system for figuring out which reading is most important and how to target it. Using this book along with the one mentioned above would arm any college student with the skills needed to be successful without burning out.
Who would like this book:
Again, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in higher education, especially high school seniors, as I think it would be a good morale booster for them if they are feeling any stress about going off to college soon.
Title: In the Best Interests of Students: Staying True to What Works in the ELA Classroom
Author: Kelly Gallagher
Length: 238 pages
What the book is about:
This book, by renowned English teacher and author Kelly Gallagher, explores how English teachers can ensure that they are teaching what is right for their students without stressing about the Common Core standards. Gallagher first explores both the good and bad aspects of the Common Core, and how that fits in with that students should be learning in an English classroom. He then goes on to give sample activities and teaching practices that are beneficial to students regardless of what government officials say should be taught at any given time.
What I liked/disliked about the book:
I appreciate Gallagher's approach to the Common Core standards because I share the same view as he does. I've always felt that good English and language arts instruction can be tailored to fit any standards handed down to teachers. In an age where the federal and state governments are increasingly getting involved in the mandating of what should be taught, it's refreshing to hear a voice saying that effective teachers shouldn't stress out based on those mandates.
Who would like this book:
English teachers would appreciate this book as it outlines many methods and strategies to effectively teach learning standards.
Also read this nine weeks (but not finished):
To Save Everything Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism by Evgeny Morozov (read to page 215)
Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology by Daniel L. Migliore (read to page 120)
They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing (read to page 96)
2nd Nine Weeks
Title: To Save Everything Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism
Author: Evgeny Morozov
Length: 217 pages (started at page 215)
What the book is about:
In this book, Evgeny Morozov argues two distinct points. One is that modern society is obsessed with the idea that "the Internet" can fix every problem in the world, which he calls internet-centrism. The other is that some people view everything as a problem that needs fixing, which he calls solutionism. He gives many examples of both of these ideas and provides counter-arguments to all of them. According to this book, not everything we view as a problem actually is, and we shouldn't try to fix everything using technology and the internet.
What I liked/disliked about the book:
Overall, I did enjoy this book because it raises interesting questions. Morozov also writes in a somewhat sarcastic tone that can often time be amusing. However, this read more like an academic paper than a mass-market book so it can get pretty dense at times. That's not always a bad thing, but it wasn't always something I wanted to pick up and read.
Who would like this book:
People interested in technology and how it affects our society would be interested in this book.
People interested in technology and how it affects our society would be interested in this book.
