Reading List

Here is a list of reading materials suggested by the superintendent that provide valuable information about parent/child academic support, instruction and self-development.

Children’s Books With a Global Theme
In the April/May 2012 issue of Reading Today, Karen Hildebrand shares quick reviews of several children’s books that won awards from Notable Books for a Global Society:
  • Alicia Alonso, Prima Ballerina by Carmen Bernier-Grand (Marshall Cavendish) – The story of Cuba’s prima ballerina told in free-verse poetry in a picture-book format.
  • Better Than Weird by Anna Kerz (Orca) – A 12-year-old boy who is on the autism spectrum looks forward to a visit from his absent father while dealing with a bully in his class.
  • Migrant by Maxine Trottier (Groundwood) – Told from a child’s point of view, this is the story of a group of Low-German-speaking Mennonites who migrate from Canada to Mexico in the 1920’s.
  • Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams (Little, Brown) – Set in modern-day Zimbabwe, this book is about a 14-year-old boy and his mentally disabled older brother who flee their village after a vicious attack by soldiers.
  • Which Side Are You On? The Story of a Song by George Ella Lyon (Cinco Punto Press) – This book tells the story of the 1931 Harlan County (KY) coal miner strike and a protest song written by a union supporter. You can hear the actual song sung by Florence Reece at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzudto-FA5Y.
  • The No. 1 Car Spotter by Atinuke (Kane-Miller) – Set in rural Africa, this is the story of a boy and his grandfather, who become expert at identifying cars and save the day when trouble strikes.
  • Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl (Chronicle) – Set in colonial Kenya in 1910, this is the story of the female aviator and adventurer Beryl Markham.
Six Children’s Book Recommendations
In the October/November 2010 edition of Reading Today, Ohio-based writer David Richardson recommends these books:
  • Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean (Harper, 2010) for ages 2 and up – Pete loves his new white tennis shoes, but he steps in strawberries and they turn red. A book about dealing with life’s little setbacks.
  • Swim! Swim! by James Proimos (Scholastic, 2010) for ages 4 and up – A goldfish named Learch tries to communicate with a cat, who insists on calling him Lunch.
  • Bad Kitty v. Uncle Murray: The Uproar at the Front Door by Nick Bruel (Roaring Brook, 2010) for ages 7 and up – Bad Kitty’s owners go on vacation and leave him with Uncle Murray, who thinks cats should be treated calmly and gently. He’s in for a surprise!
  • Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea (Delacorte, 2010) for ages 10 and up – Mr. Terupt is a new and somewhat unconventional teacher who gets involved in a tragic event for which everyone must accept responsibility.
  • Scumble by Ingrid Law (Dial, 2010) for ages 10 and up – In this sequel toSavvy, someone in the Beaumont family is turning 13 and that can only mean trouble.
  • Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott (Walker, 2010) for all ages – A boy uses his father’s barbershop to cut monsters’ hair when the moon is full. Things get complicated when a human shows up for a trim – at least they all think he’s human.
Additional Book Recommendations
  • “Sheltered Content Instruction: Teaching English Language Learners with Diverse Abilities” by Jana Echevarria and Anne Graves
  • “Children with Limited English: Teaching Strategies for the Regular Classroom” by Ellen Kottler and Jeffery L. Kottler
  • “Teaching English Language Learners K-12″ by Jerry Jesness
  • EverythingESL.net
  • “Classroom Instruction that works with English Language Learners”
    by Jane D. Hill and Kathleen M. Flynn
  • “The Effectiveness of Instructional Issues, Theories, Models and Strategies for Mainstreamed English Second Language Students”
    Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium Report — August 2005
  • “Acres of Diamonds” by Russell H. Conwell, 1921
  • “Born to Win” by Muriel James and Dorothy Jongeward, 1971
  • “Building Engaged Schools: Getting the Most Out of America’s Classrooms” by Gary Gordon, 2006
  • “Coaching for Performance” by John Whitmore, 1992
  • “Developing the Leader Within You” by John C. Maxwell, 1993
  • “Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ!” by John G. Miller, 2006
  • “QBQ! The Question Behind the Question” by John G. Miller, 2004
  • “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” by Ben Carson, 1990
  • “Failure Is Not an Option: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools” by Alan M. Blankstein and Michael Fullan, 2004
  • “From Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins, 2002
  • “The Last Dropout: Stop the Epidemic!” by Bill Milliken, 2007
  • “Caring Enough to Lead: How Reflective Thought Leads to Moral Leadership” by Leonard O. Pellicer, 2003
  • “50 Success Classics Collection” by Tom Butler-Bowdon, 2006
  • “On Becoming a Leader” by Warren Bennis, 1989
  • “How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling” by Frank Bettger, 1947
  • “How to Have Power and Confidence in Dealing With People” by Les Giblin, 1956
  • “How to Be Rich” by John Paul Getty, 1961
  • “Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way” by Robin Gerber, 2003
  • “Lessons Learned: Shaping Relationships and the Culture of the Workplace” by Roland S. Barth, 2003
  • “Maximum Achievement” by Brian Tracy, 1993
  • “My Life and Work” by Henry Ford, 1922
  • “On Common Ground: The Power of Professional Learning Communities” by Robert Eaker, Richard P. DuFour and Rebecca Burnette, 1998
  • “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki, 1997
  • “Jack: Straight From the Gut” by Jack Welch, 2001
  • “Take Time for Your Life” by Cheryl Richardson, 1998
  • “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R Covey, 1989
  • “The 360 Degree Leader” by John C. Maxwell, 2005
  • “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn, 2004
  • “The One Minute Manager” by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, 1981
  • “The Power of Full Engagement” by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, 2003
  • “The Spirit to Serve” by J.W. Marriott Jr., 1997
  • “The Moral Imperative of School Leadership” by Michael Fullan, 2003
  • “The Way to Wealth” by Benjamin Franklin, 1758
  • “The Wealth and Poverty of Nations” by David Landes, 1998
  • “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson, 1998
  • “Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don’t Learn” by Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, Rebecca DuFour and Gayle Karhanek, 2004
  • “The Official Guide to Success: Tom Hopkins’ Personal Success Program” by Tom Hopkins, 1982
 

STEM

Science, technology, engineering and math were the focus of Chesterfield’s first STEM Fair, which took place at the Science Museum of Virginia. Elementary, middle and high school students competed in STEM Olympics and minute-to-win-it events that required teamwork, problem solving and high-level thinking. Click to see photos from the STEM Fair

Fine Art

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but one picture cannot adequately portray the Fine Arts Festival. That’s why you should watch this brief video.

Mobile Web App

A brand-new mobile web app makes it easier than ever to stay current with Chesterfield County Public Schools. Our free app for smartphones and tablets provides a news feed, calendar and phone numbers. Start using our app today by going here on your smartphone or tablet. Click here for instructions on how to add this app to your smartphone.