Why Are We Still Doing That? Positive Alternatives to Problematic Teaching Practices by Pérsida & Bill Himmele (ASCD, 2021)
It’s always difficult to shake off bad habits—especially now, after a year of routines under quarantine. But as teachers recuperate from the challenges of the pandemic, they can also turn their attention to some common educational practices that might not be serving their students as well as they think.
In their new book Why Are We Still Doing That? authors Pérsida and Bill Himmele take a close look at 16 classroom practices worth reexamining. The book—written for educators of all levels, including preservice—aims to help teachers and school leaders answer a simple question: Which practices actually work and which are better left behind? Using straightforward, research-driven analysis, the authors identify strategies—even quite familiar ones, such as round robin reading or using behavior charts—that can present problems for some students. Through an empathetic and teacher-positive lens, they unpack how these well-intentioned approaches sometimes fail.
But no need for despair! The writers also explain exactly how teachers can still meet the goals these less effective methods were intended to achieve. They provide easy-to-implement—and proven—instructional, assessment, and classroom management strategies.
The Himmeles strike a personable, engaging tone throughout their analysis, providing supportive guidance for teachers looking to develop new, effective ways to work with students. As schools across the country begin to turn a new page on distance learning and COVID-era instruction, such wisdom will be more important than ever.
