As the school year comes to a close, I find myself doing two things at once—celebrating the growth I’ve seen in my students and beginning to dream about the year ahead. June is a beautiful mix of finishing off the current year and then reflecting and planning for the next school year.
One of my favorite ways to get ready for a new school year is through professional reading. I love the flexibility of summer—it gives me the time and space to dive into books that fuel both my curiosity and my teaching. Some of what I read is just for fun, but I always make time for professional reading too.
Professional reading has helped me in so many ways. It sparks new ideas, gives me the language to explain my thinking, and reminds me that I’m part of a larger learning community. Whether you’re a parent looking to bring more joyful learning into your home or a teacher building a more playful classroom, there’s something powerful about learning through books.
Here are a few professional reads I’ve enjoyed (or plan to enjoy!)
📘 Literacy Unlocked by Amie Burkholder
This is on my summer list—but I’ll be honest, I’ve already started! If you’re looking for a resource that’s practical, easy to follow, and based on real classroom experience, this book is for you. Amie explains how to implement the Science of Reading with young learners in a way that makes sense. I love that she includes classroom examples and even links to printable templates. I’m also joining a summer book study hosted by the author—so I’ll be sharing more about this soon!
📙 Reading Above the Fray by Julia B. Lindsey
I used this book while teaching an undergraduate course this year, and it quickly became one of my favorites. It’s a great introduction to decoding instruction, with routines that are research-based and easy to use. What stood out to me were the quick “instructional swaps”—simple changes you can try in your teaching right away. Whether you’re a new teacher or an experienced one, this book offers practical strategies to support young readers.
📗 Play Attention by Stephanie Parsons
This book is part of a professional learning group in my school division. It’s aimed at Grades 3 and up, but there’s so much here for anyone working with younger students, too. Parsons combines research about the value of play with real examples from classrooms. She helps readers see how play can be a meaningful part of learning—not something “extra,” but something that deepens understanding and supports curriculum outcomes.
I truly believe that one powerful book can change how we teach or parent. It can spark a new approach, introduce a new routine, or simply offer the encouragement we need to try something different.
If you have professional reading on your list this summer, I’d love to hear about it! Let’s keep learning and growing together—because when we model curiosity, we pass it on to the children in our care.
Happy reading, and happy learning!
Lynda
