Books for the Learning Leader (Professional Reading) (Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom) (Book Review‪)‬

CONCEPT-BASED CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION FOR THE THINKING CLASSROOM H. Lynn Erickson You have read Integrating Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design: Connecting Content and Kids (Carol Ann Tomlinson and Jay McTighe, 2006, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) and Understanding by Design, Expanded 2nd Edition (Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, 2005, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), and you now wonder whether there are any other gems out there to study with your teachers. Then along comes my pick of the litter for this review section: Erickson's book. This book is required reading for every teacher-librarian who ever hopes to collaborate in the building of exciting learning experiences with teachers. It runs a parallel track with the other two books mentioned, but it offers another amazing dimension for the teacher-librarian. Erickson is the first educational author whose work I have read in the past year who understands the implication of the massive information explosion that is now the real world of every child who is connected to the Internet. She understands that the assemblage of a mountain of facts to pass some kind of test is not enough to survive in the flat world. She understands that building factual knowledge into larger and deeper concepts is the way to build a world-class education. So, she provides several wonderful overview chapters describing and defending the move toward concept-based learning experiences rather than cover material in a textbook. She then provides a method for creating learning experiences that build deep understanding, promote critical thinking, and cultivate creativity. And her strategies fit perfectly into the theory of collaboration promoted by teacher-librarians. Even if Understanding by Design is or has been your theoretical hat, Erickson's book gives an added dimension and a solid theoretical framework on which to build quality teaching and learning experiences. Read it-reread it. Use some of the many forms and other helpers provided. Doing so will provide every teacher-librarian with the language and the tools to successfully collaborate across the curriculum. (Corwin Press, 2006. 208 pp. $32.95. 1-4129-1700-X.)