From AI in schools to creative teaching strategies, parenting insights, and inspiring biographies, our latest book reviews by Dr. Christian Klaue offer practical takeaways for leaders, teachers, and families.
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Leading Insights: Artificial Intelligence
What is this resource about? I was not sure if I should put this in the leader or teacher category as it fits into both. This is the latest ACSI monograph and discusses how we should consider AI, particularly generative artificial intelligence, in a school context. The various authors comment on the philosophy behind AI, how the various levels of school users (leaders, teachers, and students) interact with AI, and practical steps schools have taken when it comes to AI.
Why is it important? AI is a (newish) tool that is being readily used. However, as all tools, the tools shapes us as we use it. Using a tool such as AI is having significant implications for the users. Since we, in Christian schools, desire to do everything from a Christian perspective, we need to review how we will use AI from a biblical perspective as well. This monograph is a great first step for school leaders to start wrestling with this issue.
What should I do? Have your admin team read this book and then start the conversations with admin, teachers, and students, in deciding how you will interact with AI at your school.
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Teach Like It’s Music - Doug Goodkin
What is this resource about? Goodkin is a music teacher using the Orff methodology and wrote this book of suggested teaching strategies culled from teaching music for use by regular classroom teachers. Some of the activities sometimes feel like they could be a little bit of a stretch, but there are still many suggestions that could be very effective in a classroom. Although he is not a Christian, he does make some suggestions that could definitely be considered as a biblical integration; for example, how we model school as a learning community and how to live out community within the whole school context. Goodkin includes a summary at the end of every chapter to make it easier to find specific suggestions that you may want to implement.
Why is it important? Schools often focus on academics rather than the Arts. Goodkin makes the argument that classroom teachers can learn a number of teaching strategies from music teachers and that there should be more cross-pollination between subject areas.
What should I do? Check out the chapter summaries for inspiration on how to positively impact your teaching strategies and then read the appropriate chapter for how to implement the strategies. It is also an interesting read to learn more about what goes into a good music program (it’s not as easy as it may appear)!
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Parent
Horse Sense for People - Monty Roberts
What is this resource about? Roberts is one of the foremost horse trainers in the world and has even modeled his horse training methods to Queen Elizabeth II. The more he taught others about equus (his term for the ‘language’ that horses use with each other), the more he realized that the principles he was teaching were also applicable to people. Some of the principles he discusses include communication, trust, respect, choice, and change. Each chapter starts with a description of the principle as used within the horse training community, an explanation of the principle, what the principle looks like as applied to humans, and then some case studies of where this worked. It is a great insight into the horse training community as well into his philosophy of child-rearing.
Why is it important? Although his principles are taken from his knowledge of horses, they may just as easily have been taken from Scripture. His ideas are in line with what Scripture teaches and the examples from his work with horses gives these principles a new angle. A book like this could be even more helpful for parents working with children who are interested in horses as there are many anecdotes that Roberts weaves in that would be of interest to those children.
What should I do? Read and take notes on the specific principles you would want to incorporate within your own child-raising strategies.
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Leap of Faith - Norman P. Grubb
Who is this resource about? This is a description of the early years of the Christian Literature Crusade. This was a ministry started in the UK in the 1930s to make theologically sound written materials available to the average person. They rented showrooms in high (pedestrian) traffic areas and would willingly engage in conversations with anyone who came into the store. Many were saved through such conversations and many others obtained Christian resources at reasonable prices. This ministry expanded into Germany just after the war ended and then into a number of other European countries. Those who ministered with the CLC saw God provide all their income as well as the financial resources for the rooms and resources that were obtained.
How can I pray? Written resources have the advantage of being easily given to others. It can be very interesting to see just how far written resources can travel over time. God can use these resources, especially when a person is not comfortable in engaging in conversations with others about spiritual matters. Pray that God would continue to use His written Word around the world to lead others to Him.