Best Secondary Education Books of 2025

Academic Conversations: Classroom Talk that Fosters Critical Thinking and Content Understandings by Jeff Zwiers and Marie Crawford is an insightful book that addresses the challenges of bringing productive academic conversations into the classroom. The authors identify five core communication skills needed to help students engage in academic conversations across different content areas. This book provides practical activities for each conversation skill and how to use conversations to teach and assess. It also emphasizes the importance of creating an academic environment that fosters respect for others' ideas, equity of voice, engagement, and mutual support. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for teachers who want to help students develop critical thinking and communication skills.

Mastering Essential Math Skills: 20 Minutes a Day to Success, Book 2: Middle Grades/High School is a comprehensive math guide for students struggling with math concepts. It covers everything from basic math skills, fractions, decimals, percents, geometry, integers, charts, and graphs to word problems. The book is presented in a format that is easy to understand, with each lesson flowing smoothly to the next. It includes helpful hints, problem-solving exercises, and solutions for each lesson. The author, Rick Fisher, is an experienced math instructor, and his award-winning online video tutorials are a great addition to the book. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for students, adults, and anyone preparing for standardized tests like SAT/PSAT.

Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development Ages 4 - 14 is a valuable resource for parents and educators who want to understand and celebrate the incredible journey of child development from ages four through fourteen. The book provides easy-to-access information about the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical characteristics unique to each age, along with practical advice on how to apply this knowledge. The fourth edition includes updated design, revised introductory material, and new age-by-age narratives that highlight what's intriguing, delightful, and sometimes challenging about children. Chip Wood's deep knowledge of general developmental trends makes this book a must-have resource for anyone committed to helping children learn and thrive.

This book, "What Great Teachers Do Differently" by Todd Whitaker, provides 19 keys to becoming more effective in the classroom. The third edition includes new sections on creating a consistent and engaging learning environment and choosing the right mode to improve classroom management. It's a practical book that is perfect for educators at any level of experience. The author weaves his professional knowledge and personal experiences together to create a reflective thinking opportunity for teachers. It's a reminder that every teacher makes an impact and great teachers make a difference. Overall, it's an inspiring book that challenges thinking and reaffirms teaching philosophy and methodology.

Strategies and Practice for the HSPT by Barron's Test Prep is a comprehensive study guide designed specifically for the HSPT. It offers thorough breakdown and practice for each subtest of the exam, with examples reflecting every concept, question type, and format so students can be confident on test day. The book also includes two full-length practice tests, detailed answers and explanations for over 1,000 practice questions, and valuable test-taking strategies. With inside tips by an HSPT expert, this study guide provides students with the skills and strategies needed to master test content and boost their percentile scores. Overall, it's a must-have study guide for anyone preparing for the HSPT.

Shortchanged by Annie Abrams is a thought-provoking book that uncovers the ways in which the Advanced Placement (AP) program has strayed from its original mission of providing high school students with a genuine college education. Abrams highlights the program's emphasis on standardized testing and its negative impact on students. Instead of advocating for a complete restoration of the program, Abrams suggests broader access to liberal arts education through public funding and the dismantling of the standardized testing regime. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in education and the future of our youth.

The second edition of "When Kids Can't Read-What Teachers Can Do" by Kylene Beers is a guidebook for teachers to help students struggling with reading. Beers emphasizes the importance of reading and the negative impact of illiteracy on individuals and society. The book focuses on helping kids with comprehension, word work, and engagement. Beers shares her personal experience with a student who changed her career and provides practical advice for teachers to help their own students. This book is a valuable resource for teachers who want to improve their students' reading abilities and promote literacy.

If you are planning to take the HiSET test, then the HiSET 2023 and 2024 Preparation Book is a must-have. Written by Test Prep Books, this study guide includes a quick overview, test-taking strategies, and practice test questions for all subjects, including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The detailed answer explanations provided will help you understand why you got a question wrong and avoid making the same mistake again. The latest test-taking strategies will help you use your time wisely and avoid common mistakes on test day. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to ace the HiSET test.

The Carson Dellosa The 100 Series: Biology Workbook is a comprehensive 128-page workbook that covers genetics, atoms, elements, compounds and bonds, and more. It includes engaging activities, self-quizzes, and practice pages to reinforce essential science skill practice in the areas of life science, physical science, and earth science. This workbook is perfect for grades 6-12 and is an excellent resource for both home and school. The 100+ science books are a valuable supplement to today's science classroom, and this one is no exception. Overall, this workbook is an excellent addition to any curriculum and is a must-have for science students and teachers.

Patterns of Power, Grades 6-8: Inviting Adolescent Writers into the Conventions of Language is a must-have for any Language Arts teacher. The authors take a refreshing and engaging approach to teaching grammar. The book's inquiry-based approach encourages young writers to notice the conventions of the English language and build off them. The book is filled with ready-to-use lesson plans, real-life classroom examples, and tips that can be applied to any level of writer. The practice helps students build cognitive recognition and provides a formative assessment for teachers on student progress. This book is a valuable resource for teachers looking to make grammar lessons more interactive, engaging, and effective.