Must-Read Books for Innovative Educators | Toronto Teacher Mom

Must-Read Books for Innovative Educators

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Must-Read Books for Innovative Educators

It's the last day of March Break and I've been curling up with some good books. They're not the mystery or suspense novels that I typically enjoy but they are very much relevant in the world of education. These books have been piling up for a while so I decided to catch up on the ones I had yet to finish reading. They were written by innovative and inspiring educators throughout the past few years, and I have even had the good fortune of meeting some of the authors. Today I share a few of my favourite reads, all of which are available on Amazon.ca. And I've even thrown in a special giveaway, too, so you can check them out for yourself. Without further ado, allow me to present: 

Must-Read Books for Innovative Educators

Six Must-Read Books for Innovative Educators


HyperDocs are the solution to personalized instruction using technology in today’s modern classroom. They provide innovative ways to engage students and package digital lessons on a Google Doc. The HyperDoc Handbook is a practical reference guide for all K-12 educators looking to transform their teaching into blended learning environments. This book strikes a perfect balance between pedagogy and how-to tips, while also providing several lesson plans to get you going.

After I had first heard about HyperDocs on Twitter, I was quite intrigued and signed up for their first HyperDocs Bootcamp online course. Now, it seems so many teachers have implemented HyperDocs into their teaching practice. They're a great tool for fostering creativity, collaboration and communication skills.



Crack the code for your students’ success! Future-ready students need to be creative. They need to know how to communicate their ideas and how to collaborate as problem solvers. And to master these and other twenty-first-century requirements, they will need to be critical thinkers. In Code Breaker, educator Brian Aspinall shares his insights on how to turn curriculum expectations into skills. Students identify problems, develop solutions, and use coding and computational thinking to apply and demonstrate their learning.


I had been following Brian Aspinall for quite some time. Not the creepy kind, but the social media variety. And then I was so fortunate to meet him and listen to one of his talks at a TCDSB 21C Innovators session just over a year ago. (Fan-girl moment!) While his musings on Mitch Resnick's and Seymour Papert's respective theories were quite interesting, he had me at "poop missile."



EdTech experts Holly Clark and Tanya Avrith provide a guidebook to help you use technology to engage your learners and amplify the learning experience in your classroom—with Google Apps and other online tools. This book focuses on 20 essential tools that will help teachers to easily make student thinking visible, give every student a voice and allow them to share their work.

This book covers a variety of topics that include formative assessment tools, such as Padlet and Google Forms, differentiation tools, such as Google Classroom and HyperDocs, methods for meaningful demonstrations of learning, such as screencasting and blogging, digital portfolios and more.



Dive into Inquiry beautifully marries the voice and choice of inquiry with the structure and support required to optimise learning for students and get the results educators desire. With Dive into Inquiry you'll gain an understanding of how to best support your learners as they shift from a traditional learning model into the inquiry classroom where student agency is fostered and celebrated each and every day. This book strikes a perfect balance of meaningful pedagogy, touching narrative, helpful processes, original student examples, and rich how-to lesson plans all to get you going on bringing inquiry into your classroom.


This book focuses on how to help students create authentic connections to the world while fostering student voice and harnessing student agency. Be also on the lookout for Trevor's newest book Inquiry Mindset, which will become available in the coming week.


Sketchnotes for Educators by Sylvia Duckworth

Sylvia Duckworth is a Canadian teacher whose sketchnotes have taken social media by storm. Her drawings provide clarity and provoke dialogue on many topics related to education. This book contains 100 of her most popular sketchnotes with links to the original downloads that can be used in class or shared with colleagues. Interspersed throughout the book are Sylvia's reflections on each drawing and what motivated her to create them, in addition to commentary from other educators who inspired the sketchnotes.
I have been a big fan of Sylvia Duckworth for many years and I have her to blame for my obsession with passion for all things edtech. Most notably, I've been a big fan of her sketchnotes so I just had to have this book. It has a lot of thoughtful reflections alongside her sketchnotes and the book would make for a great teacher gift.



In The Innovator's Mindset, George Couros encourages teachers and administrators to empower their learners to wonder, to explore--and to become forward-thinking leaders. If we want innovative students, we need innovative educators. In other words, innovation begins with you. Ultimately, innovation is not about a skill set: it's about a mindset.
If you like this book, head on over to immooc.org where you can sign up for a free Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course to join in the conversation surrounding this and other similar books.

Win a $100 Amazon.ca Gift Card!

Toronto Teacher Mom is offering up a $100 Amazon.ca gift card so that one lucky reader can top off his or her library. And maybe even do some spring shopping, too! For a chance to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, who have reached the age of majority in their province. Ends on April 10, 2018.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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107 COMMENTS

  1. I'd love to get some diapers and wipes from Amazon!

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  2. There are a couple of Philippa Gregory books I'd like, and then I'd probably get Lego for my kiddos

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  3. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson sound like an interesting read.
    Florence Cochrane

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  4. My wish list includes Rupi Kaur’s book of poetry, Milk & Honey.

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  5. Dr. Jason Fung's The Obesity Code and Michelle Obama's book that is coming out later this year are on the top of my wish list.

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  6. Barrie Bennett’s Beyond Monet

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  7. a wrinkle in time (preferably the quintet)

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  8. I know that there are a lot of mixed reviews but I still want to read Fire And Fury!

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  9. A book on my Amazon wishlist is The Healing Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter.

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  10. I would love an Instant Pot and an Instant Pot cookbook

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  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. A tire pressure gauge is on my Amazon wishlist.

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  13. My wishlist includes An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

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  14. Innovators Mindset is definitely a great book! Thanks for the descriptions.

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  15. I have the Moana DVD on my wishlist right now.
    (at brighterdays at hotmail dot ca (not com))

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  16. I have my eye on an Instant Pot.

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  17. I would add the Dive into Inquiry by Trevor MacKenzie to my Amazon list!

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  18. Gone girl is on my wish list. Been wanting to read it forever!! Thanks!

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  19. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson is on my wishlist

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  20. I would love to add some books to our kids library. Some classics would be great! Thanks.

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  21. My Amazon.ca wish list is The Animal Book by dk & A Dog's Way Home: A Novel
    W. Bruce Cameron

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  22. Last book I read was Feeling good

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  23. I'd love to get The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

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  24. Thanks for the list. I've read Dive into Inquiry & loved it (have pre-ordered Inquiry Mindset too!) Looking forward to it & now these other amazing titles!

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  25. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1442499036/?coliid=I1NQNL6MA38LOR&colid=1CR60VAXGDAW1&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

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  26. My Amazon wishlist book includes the newest book by Sophie Kinsella - Surprise Me

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  27. I really could use a Seagate external hard drive to back up all my computer files & give me a ton of extra storage!

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  28. I would love to read Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

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  29. I'd love to get a book called "Girls Burn Brighter"
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    Entered as Stephanie

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  30. I would like to spend some money at the Home Show coming to our town next week. i would like to look into a great seating area to read this summer. Lori N.

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  31. I'd love to get Harry Potter: Illustrated Editions for my kids.

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  32. I would like to get the Google home

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  33. A book on my Amazon wishlist is The Sun and Her Flowers.

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  34. I would love to get solar lights for the backyard.

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  35. I want to get an instant pot. For books, I know my daughter want to own the Harry Potter book set

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  36. I'm in need of some new wireless headphones!

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  37. I like searching out make-up on Amazon...

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  38. I'd like to get Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur!

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  39. I want to get Rosie Revere, Engineer!
    jan

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  40. A sonic facial cleanser machine is on my wishlist

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  41. I have been wanting to read Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

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  42. We are moving into a new home so I have my eye on some new kitchen utensils from Amazon.

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  43. I have a bunch of craft item's on my Amazon wish list

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  44. I'd love to get a few self-improvement books on Amazon.ca

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  45. on my wishlist is a new mouse and keyboard set

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  46. I have the Instant pot on my wishlist

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  47. I have a Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Italian Herb Seed Pod Kit on my wishlist

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  48. I need to purchase Final Draft software for my original screenplay. Thanks for the super giveaway opportunity!

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  49. I want to buy The diary of Anne Frank , I read it years ago and have been wanting to re-read it so much !

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  50. a new pair of running sneakers is on my wishlist!

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  51. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker for my classroom!

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  52. I want a lot of things for myself and I mean A LOT but my precious Chloe Pearl comes before me ALWAYS so I would love to buy her some books to feed her brain. She has a thirst for knowledge and we go though books like crazy!

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  53. The Chimp and the River: How Aids Emerged From An African Forest by David Quammen is on my wishlist.

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  54. I have a security light on my list, many break ins recently.

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  55. I would like to buy a new laptop on Amazon.

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  56. I'd get a scooter for the kids.

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  57. I love reading mystery/ thrillers. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn is in my wishlist.

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  58. The Shape of Water book is on my list!

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  59. New knitting books are on my Amazon wishlist

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  60. I want to read the book "Nineteen Seconds" by Jodi Picoult and possibly look for John Grishams newest novel "The Rooster Bar".

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  61. the book about the old lady who went on a crime spree. i only remember the cover, not the name

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  62. All the books you just reviewed please and throw in Strong is the New Pretty.

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  63. A loom knitting kit & instruction books.

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  64. I might like to get a new beard trimmer for my son, thanks for the chance.

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  65. Right now on my wish list is Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry Sparkling Water Beverage, 12 Count and Dog rocks.

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  66. I am interested in lego star wars set for my granddaughter.

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  67. my wish list has seeds for the garden

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  68. I’d like to get some movies or new boots!

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  69. I would get the 30 Years of WrestleMania Hardcover book and more WWE books

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  70. My ebook wish list is very long!My amazon wish list is pretty boring - replacement silicone rings for my instant pot.

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  71. I would like to get some picture books for my children.

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  72. I would love to get some books for my kids in English and French

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  73. The children's book The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield is on our Amazon wish list.

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  74. I want to get good quality reusable straws

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  75. We really like the Magic School bus experiment kits, we want the Human Body one next. Tracy D.

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  76. I really want a new wallet!
    ~Andrea

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  77. The New Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques by Anne Sloan is on my wishlist.

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  78. I love that Innovators book, but I could really use an Instant Pot!! :)

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  79. I would get Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind

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  80. I have this on my wish list: Messy Mutts Studio Bolster Dog Bed.

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  81. I have so many wish items on Amazon!! I'm starting to read classic books I have never read before. I'm thinking of ordering 1984 by George Orwell

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  82. Thanks for hosting.

    The books on my Amazon.ca wishlist are all RPGS :D
    An example: The Monster Manual for 5e D&D: https://amzn.to/2GAJMdX

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  83. I am actually looking to pick up a few planning Disney trip guides for the kids and maybe pick up the items we need for our trip from amazon.ca

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  84. I would love to order some Nicholas Sparks books.

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  85. id like to get some accent pieces for my new house

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  86. I'd love to order more from the 'eating right for your blood type' series of books. I find them very interesting.

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  87. I've been saving up for a FitBit Flex!

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  88. I'm saving up for a fit bit!

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  89. I want to order the books for the ASL course we are currently taking!

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  90. Love the newest Sophie Kinsella books and amazon.ca is the place to get them

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  91. I have a few wishlist items for Amazon one being a duvet for my bed also a wooden box for my essential oils

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  92. I’m thinking an instant pot. They seem like a great time saver for healthy meals

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  93. I want to read The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman!

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  94. I have a big list of things I want for my classroom and some books for me, I would love Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education which should be out this year.

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  95. There are no books on my wish list as there are so many I would want to read. It would take a very long time to post them there. I do however have something I need that is on my wish list. A pair of Bluetooth headphones like this pair:

    https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01LYVFKEH/?coliid=I3SO0QPP0R0Z4B&colid=3H4UAIB8IT4HB&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

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  96. I would love a Kindle for the family! Thanks

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  97. One book I would love from Amazon is "Saturday is Dadurday" for my nephews.

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  98. A Kindle is on my Amazon wish list.

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  99. Great List of Books you have. The books you shared with us here are great for innovative educators. God bless you.

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