Check out these seven professional development books for middle school teachers to level up your teaching game. There are more to check out in Seven of My Favorite Professional Development Books for ELA Teachers
I could pick 20 more to add to this list and there is a stack on my nightstand. But, I am trying to keep it meaningful.
I am always looking to add to my stack, send me a message about your favorite professional development books for middle school teachers.
**Links are affiliate links. By clicking on the links to the books I will receive credit for the purchase at no extra cost to you.
Professional Development Book #1
Notebook Know How Strategies for the Writer’s Notebook by Aimee Buckner
Aimee Buckner’s Notebook Know How is a game-changer for middle school teachers. In this book, she explores the power of writer’s notebooks and shares practical strategies for incorporating them into your classroom.
These strategies include setting up the notebook, maintaining, and assessing writer’s notebooks in the elementary setting. However, I found many golden nuggets for as a middle school teacher. I love this book because it is a quick read, has actionable strategies that I could change to fit my needs, and a solid plan for assessing and checking the notebook.
Professional Development Books for Middle School Teachers #2
Boy Writers Reclaiming Their Voices by Ralph Fletcher
Ralph Fletcher’s Boy Writers is a must-read for understanding and addressing the unique needs of male students in your ELA class. He offers valuable tips on how to engage and inspire your male students to become more enthusiastic readers and writers.
The book has an easy to follow layout, where each chapter presents the topic with a thorough review and ends with how to use it in the classroom. Not to mention the suggested reading list at the end of the book.
The last two sentences on the back of the book sum it up nicely, “Boy Writers does not advocate promoting the interests of boys at the expense of girls’ interests. Rather, it argues that developing sensitivity to the unique facets of boy writers will help teachers better address the needs of all their students.”
Professional Development Book #3
Writing Workshop The Essential Guide by Ralph Fletcher and Joann Portalupi
Fletcher and Portalupi’s Writing Workshop is a comprehensive guide to setting up and running an effective writing workshop in your classroom. It covers everything from writing prompts to peer review. The book can help you create a nurturing environment where your students can develop their writing skills.
This is a practical book. It is focused on the elementary classroom, but I always find some golden nuggets for me at the middle level.
Let me start by saying that I love Kelly Gallagher. I was blessed to attend a small summer training one summer with my ELA colleagues. About ten of us attended and the last day was Kelly Gallagher.
He spent the day with the ten of us in the library and signed all of my books. My colleague knew what a fan I was and bought me his new book at the time so I could have it signed. I am a fangirl.
Here are the titles I have written in and stuck every sticky note in – I refer to them all the time when I am planning. They have changed how I teach reading and writing in my classroom.
Professional Development Books for Middle School Teachers #4
Deeper Reading Comprehending Challenging Texts, 4-12 by Kelly Gallagher
Kelly Gallagher’s Deeper Reading Comprehending Challenging Texts is a treasure trove of strategies for helping your middle school students tackle complex texts. With Gallagher’s guidance, you’ll learn how to scaffold reading comprehension and cultivate critical thinking skills in your students.
Professional Development Book #5
Reading Reasons Motivational Mini Lessons for Middle and High School by Kelly Gallagher
Reading Reasons Motivational Mini Lesson for Middle School and High School by Kelly Gallagher offers practical and motivating strategies for encouraging your students to become avid readers. With his mini-lessons, you’ll be able to foster a genuine love for reading among your middle schoolers.
These two books cover all things reading and are both must-reads, just go read them if you haven’t.
Professional Development Books for Middle School Teachers #6
Write Like This Teaching Real-World Writing Through Modeling and Mentor Texts by Kelly Gallagher
Write Like ThisTeaching Real-World Writing Through Modeling and Mentor Texts by Kelly Gallagher focuses on teaching your students real-world writing skills. This book helps you incorporate modeling and mentor texts into your teaching, allowing your students to see the practical applications of writing in the world around them.
Professional Development Book #7
Teaching Adolescent Writers by Kelly Gallagher
In Teaching Adolescent Writers, Kelly Gallagher takes a deep dive into teaching strategies specifically tailored to middle school students. This book provides practical advice on how to create an environment that fosters growth and helps your students become confident writers.
These books cover all things writing and are practical guides to teaching writing.
Note that Kelly Gallagher was a high school English teacher, so the strategies and activities are geared to high school, but I use it in middle school all the time. He provides student examples and so much goodness.
Go read these two books.
These are seven incredible books that can transform your teaching and energize your ELA classroom. Whether you’re looking to enhance your writing workshop, engage reluctant boy writers, or improve reading comprehension, these professional development books for middle school teachers have you covered.
