Love Politics? Try These Majors

If you are an excellent debater who has a passion for standing up for what you believe in and a desire to serve the public, you may want to consider a career in politics. While there is no specific educational path that will get you into this field, there are a few majors that can help you begin your journey.

As the study of political systems and government operations, political science is an ideal major for those who want to learn about the ins and outs of how the government is run. Students learn about the justice system, legislative process, and political theories and affiliations. They also learn how to be analytical thinkers by critically evaluating politics and developing their own ideas about it. Through courses like contemporary political ideologies U.S. intelligence and policy making, public policy analysis, and U.S. foreign policy, students learn about the American government and how it operates. Courses also focus specifically on the politics of certain issues like ethnic and racial politics, politics of ecological crisis, and politics of developing areas.

History is another good major to pursue. By studying past events, people, and cultures, these majors gain a strong understanding of the world and how it is affected by change. This major is beneficial to students interested in politics because the history of America and the development of its government are so closely related. Since it is such a broad subject, majors have a variety of choices when it comes to course selection. There are many courses they can take that focus on American history like U.S. constitutional history, U.S. economic history, and civil war and reconstruction. Courses also address topics in a historical context that are important issues for politicians like socialism, race relations and gender roles. Majors develop important analytical skills as they read through historical documents and evaluate historical events, ideas, and politics.

Finally, public administration is a major to consider. As the study of administrators and how they implement policy at local, state, and Federal levels, this is ideal for students who want to learn about the government and the people it serves. Students learn about how policy is made and acted upon, as well as how policy makers recognize the needs of different groups. They also study issues that policy makers face like crime, health care, welfare, and environmental quality. Courses typically include community analysis, economic development, organization theory, and public budgeting and financial administration. Most importantly, majors develop the skills they need to positively change communities, bring diverse groups together, and find the middle ground when it comes to opposing viewpoints.

50 Best Blogs for Grammar Geeks

Every few months (if not weeks or days), a new article or essay will emerge mourning the abysmal grammar, spelling, and punctuation of native English speakers. Even amongst the college educated, apathy unfortunately abounds when it comes to writing properly. However, there are still those who find the very nature of language – English or otherwise – a beautiful aspect of humanity that deserves both respect and use. The following blogs cater not only to these individuals, but those hoping to learn English or strengthen their skills in a weakened area as well. No matter a reader’s motivation, they and their unlisted (but still valuable!) peers provide an extremely valuable service that preserves clear communication in a world that sometimes increasingly resembles the tale of Babel.

1. Grammar Girl : Quick and Dirty Tips founder Mignon Fogarty offers up the ultimate guide to grammar, with podcasts, blog posts, daily tips, and much more.

2. GrammarBlog : This hilarious blog documents instances of terrible grammar found out and about on the streets, eliciting both laughs and profound depression.

3. Motivated Grammar : As blogger and computational psycholinguist Gabe Doyle points out, much regarding grammar and language remains subjective in nature – and his incredibly insightful posts dissect how humanity communicates and processes words.

4. Arrant Pedantry : Arrant Pedantry updates sporadically because of the writer’s academic and filial obligations, but that does not diminish the intelligence of its content at all.

5. bradshaw of the future : Beyond English, learn about the structure of many other languages with this wonderfully informative blog that also delves into the history of communication.

6. Evolving English II : Like organisms, the structure and nature of languages change and evolve over time – sometimes to the point of having little in common with its origins. English is no different, as this blog helpfully notes.

7. Everything You Know About English is Wrong : In spite of ceasing updates in June of 2009, author and grammar expert Bill Brohaugh’s blog has some incredible statements about English grammar as spoken in America and Britain.

8. Wordorigins.org : Understanding the true nature and origin of words is one integral part of fully comprehending grammar, spelling, and – of course – language as a whole.

9. Language Log : Every aspect of the English language, including word structure and grammar, ends up covered in this incredibly valuable blog.

10. Literal-Minded : Dive into all the nuances and oft-ignored corners of the English language with the painstaking and passionate Neal Whitman.

11. Mr. Verb : Like Evolving English II, Mr. Verb observes how perceptions, structures, and practices of languages ebb and flow with time.

12. You Don’t Say : Former Baltimore Sun editor John E. McIntyre blogs about all the valuable grammar and writing lessons gleaned during his career.

13. Throw Grammar from the Train : Grammar, etymology, editing, and perspectives all comprise the content of the always intriguing blog Throw Grammar from the Train.

14. The Grammarphobia Blog : Be sure to explore the other aspects of Grammarphobia beyond its blog, as the entire site seeks to make the components of the English language accessible to all.

15. Talk Wordy to Me : Brian White loves how language and words operate, and this passion comes through in all of his fascinating blog posts.

16. An individual’s concepts : University of Pennsylvania linguistics professor Lance Nathan shares his opinions and findings on semantics and how it plays into the formation and expression of language.

17. separated by a common language : American linguist M. Lynne Murphy lives and works in the United Kingdom, blogging about the gulfs that exist between the English spoken in both regions.

18. Languagehat : Almost every aspect of a multitude of languages forms the content of this incredible resource, which dives deeply into the nuances of how humanity communicates.

19. A Walk in the WoRds : Laura Payne at A Walk in the WoRds lovingly analyzes as many elements of English as she can with a passionate, intelligent eye.

20. Grammar Gang : Grammar Gang infuses its highly educational articles with an accessible warmth and humor that endears it to a very wide variety of readers.

21. Grammar Blog : This fantastic companion to The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation outlines the ever-changing semantics of the English language.

22. English Grammar Blog : Everything at the English Grammar Revolution website has plenty to offer fans of words and language, and their blog takes a fun approach to the admittedly occasionally dry subject matter.

23. Richard’s Grammar and Composition Blog : Writers, editors, and language junkies alike will enjoy About.com’s comprehensive online guide and blog regarding most aspects of the subjects.

24. The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar : As their name implies, The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar devotes its time to ridding the world of poor language use with the hopes that doing so will foster better communication overall.

25. Mighty Red Pen : The unapologetically shameless “word nerd” and “grammar goddess” behind Mighty Red Pen blogs extensively on how to correctly speak and write in English.

26. Michael’s English Usage : Grammar and word aficionados in need of a fun, stimulating challenge will love the daily activities involving correcting grammar and deciphering the difference between homophones.

27. Blue Pencil Editing : Aimed at editors and writers, Blue Pencil Editing sheds light not only on the proper use of words and grammar, but insider information on the industry as well.

28. Triangle Grammar Guide : Newsobserver.com requires a free subscription in order to view the entirety of every posting, but it is well worth it for anyone who enjoys reading about grammar and how it shapes writing styles.

29. The Grammar Cop : Everyone eventually makes a grammar mistake or two, and writer Cheryl Norman discusses many of the more common ones (and some of the rarer) and how to fix them.

30. The Truth About Grammar : One of the most amusing and comprehensive blogs on improving writing by conquering proper semantics and spelling, The Truth About Grammar is a must-stop for anyone in search of clarification and information.

31. Grammar Monkeys : The Wichita Eagle provides readers with some excellent posts on the parts of speech, punctuation, and other elements of grammar and writing.

32. The Afternoon Nap Society : A remedial English teacher and graduate student shares her journeys, helping others in a similar situation find creative ways to teach grammar and spelling to a class.

33. Conjugate Visits : June Casagrande’s hysterical and highly approachable blog dissects grammatical rules and protocols with great humor and wit alongside considerable insight.

34. Apostrophe Abuse : Like GrammarBlog, Apostrophe Abuse chronicles the real-life, erroneous exploits of this humble bit of frequently abused punctuation.

35. Terribly Write : Terribly Write points out that “every typo, misspelling, wrong word, and punctuation misstep erodes the credibility of a website” and points out how this works using real-life examples.

36. It’s Your Damned Language : With fire and passion, blogger Carlos urges all Americans to appreciate and understand their native tongue by learning about how to use it properly.

37. Red Pen, Inc. : The blogger who refers to herself as “The Grammarphile” discusses instances of less-than-stellar writing and how to fix the problem. She also regularly updates on the 6th season of Lost as well.

38. Apostrophe Catastrophe : Yet another blog dedicated to pointing out all the grammar and punctuation errors that sadly pepper the daily lives of English speakers everywhere.

39. The Punctuator! : Punctuation remains elusive to many individuals, regardless of their native tongue, and this cheeky blog helps those with issues in English figure out the dos and don’ts of proper writing.

40. The English Blog : Jeffrey Hill writes mostly for a core audience comprised of ESL students and educators, though even native speakers of English will appreciate the vocabulary and grammar refreshers.

41. Say What? : Being able to use grammar properly helps clear the way to better communication, and John Sturtevant is here to offer his advice to anyone seeking it.

42. Mrs. Write Right, Word Therapist : Julia Temlyn shares her unending love for the written word with her readers, guiding them through proper spelling, grammar, semantics, and other elements of English.

43. Pain in the English.com : Dedicating itself to the subjective “gray areas of the English Language,” this wonderful blog dissects some of the more lenient rules and protocols that many may not know.

44. The Engine Room : Beyond semantics, word usage, and grammar, The Engine Room also looks into the integral role they play in pop culture and communication.

45. One Step Forward : Grammar, music, and writing comprise the majority of content on this thoughtful, intelligent blog.

46. The Sentence Sleuth : Bonnie Trenga’s comprehensive blog covers the proper way of constructing a sentence as a means of teaching readers the most effective, flowing means to convey their ideas.

47. APA Style Blog : Beyond grammar, writing junkies may also appreciate what the American Psychological Association has to say about their preferred essay format – used in several different disciplines.

48. Editage Blog : Not only does Editage cover grammar issues, but it also offers up considerable advice on proper word choice and other elements of writing as well.

49. Kenneth’s ESL Blog : Though targeted towards ESL students and teachers, even the most ardent grammar fan will find much to explore and appreciate in one of About.com’s myriad portals.

50. English Grammar and Vocabulary Blog : Whether learning English for the first time or simply hoping to improve upon a native tongue, this blog helps its readers greatly understand how the language operates on a fundamental level.

Readers with a lust for language, a desire to learn English, or a drive to fortify relatively shaky elements of writing have much to explore on these valuable blogs. Word choice, homophones, sentence structure and diagramming, punctuation, idioms, and numerous other facets of this complex system of communication receive dissections as well as some intelligent opinions on their origins, nature, and value to speakers. They deserve patronage and stand as pillars of order in what some believe to be a rapidly disintegrating language reduced merely to its bare bones.

Your New (School) Year’s Resolutions

Each holiday season, Americans start reminiscing about the year’s challenges and accomplishments, and thinking about new goals for the upcoming year. For students, especially college students, the start of the new academic year is another good time to make resolutions. Being better organized, trying out a new club or extracurricular activity, speaking up more in class, and working on networking skills are all good goals for college students, but it’s important to do a little reminiscing before solidifying your list.

Think about the year before, and which memories or habits make you feel frustrated or like you came up short. Maybe you feel like you wasted too much time sleeping in or feeling anxious, which kept you from performing to your full potential in a certain class. Or maybe you always felt rushed, like you never had enough time to get things done. Once you pinpoint the areas in which you’d like to do better, you can figure out which resolutions are really going to turn your life around, and not just sound good when you spout them off to your parents.

Don’t go overboard with resolutions: pick one or two overarching themes, like time management and preparing for the professional world, and then you can scribble down a few specific action items that you can work towards during the year. For time management, you might need to wake up 10 minutes earlier and be better about bringing study materials with you so that you can do homework whenever you have downtime between classes. For professional-oriented goals, you can commit to attending one networking event each month and going to the career center to look up jobs and speak with a counselor. Keeping your action items flexible but specific will make it easier for you to cross them off your list, and actually achieve them. To stay on track so that you don’t abandon your New School Year’s Resolutions, check in with your list once a month. Evaluate your efforts and performance at the end of the semester, and if you’ve taken significant steps to achieve your goals, set new ones for the following semester, when the rest of the world will be catching up to you after the holidays.

Preparing to Study Abroad

Have you ever considered studying abroad in college? It’s an incredible way to see the world, learn a new language, immerse yourself in a foreign culture and experience a different academic lifestyle altogether.

Many study-abroad programs commence your junior year in college and you can opt for the fall or spring semester to plan your travels. It is important to carefully evaluate your yearlong plans, academically, professionally, and personally, in order to decide what time of year is right for you. Things to consider in this realm are: significant projects due that require your presence on campus, if you hold a part-time job that you are not able to quit or take a leave from, or if there are any monumental family obligations to attend (i.e. wedding, family member who is pregnant and will be due while you’re away)—all these factors can have an impact on when is the best time to go so do your homework.

You also want to research what country you wish to spend 4+months of your life living in. If you are settled on a country, then make sure you know what the climate is during the time of year you are considering. If it’s hurricane season or the coldest temps of the year, you may want to reconsider your options. Once these preliminary details have been contemplated, it’s time to visit your college resource center and find out what steps need to be taken to apply. You also want to speak with an advisor on credit requirements, what needs to be taken overseas opposed to what courses you can complete when you return, etc.

There is a lot of planning that goes into your decision to study abroad, but, if you stay organized and ask a lot of questions, your travel adventure should begin to unfold before your eyes. Make sure you ask about tuition/room & board costs and how it is worked out that you pay for the program, whether there are scholarships available or financial-aid. In terms of room and board, what are the options available for your living arrangements? Is there a campus with dormitories or will you find your own apartment? Are there host families you can stay with and is that something that appeals to you? Start off with a list of questions that run the gamut of your needs, from course schedules to economics, eating options to living arrangements.

Discuss all details with your parents and stay on top of the deadlines so you are ensured a spot in the country of your dreams!

The College-Work Balancing Act

Many college students choose to work while going to school, either out of necessity, for the real-world job experience or simply for some extra spending money. Some students manage to successfully balance the responsibilities of both, while others have difficulties. So how can you successfully balance college and work?

Start out by buying a planner or downloading a planning app to your smart phone. Map out when various school papers and projects are due and scribble in when exams are scheduled. You can also use this planner to jot down your work hours and deadlines for work projects, if applicable. This will help you keep track of all of your responsibilities and manage your time more wisely. Be sure to clearly communicate your class schedule with your boss as early as possible so you don’t get scheduled to work during class times.

Consider working part time during the school year and reverting to full-time during the summers and holidays. This is yet another important idea to discuss with your supervisor. If it is impossible to keep your job on a part-time basis, you will need to significantly reduce the amount of time you spend on leisure activities such as watching TV or partying during your extremely limited free time. Something has to give in order for you to have time to study while working 40 hours a week and going to school full-time.

Also consider the stress level of the job you choose while going to school, along with the opportunities a job affords for studying. For example, if you are running a register at a convenience store, you will likely have down time to study during slow periods. Other jobs provide reliable lunch hours where you can hit the books. College may not be the best time to enter a professional career that requires you to take your work home with you during time you will need to spend studying. If it is possible, choose a job where you can count on leaving work at work.

Finally, think about enrolling in an online degree program at a fully-online university or taking one or more courses online through a traditional university. Online courses are generally much more flexible than traditional courses that require students to be in a certain place at a certain time each week. Online programs help free up your schedule and allow you to log in to your courses whenever you have free time during the day.

What You Won’t Learn in Bschool: 100 Cutting Edge Blogs

Business school can help you when working for or running an already established business, but it can’t provide you with the real world experience needed to run a start-up or pursue entrepreneurship. More and more, MBA curriculums are being distinguished as training and networking grounds for upcoming entrepreneurs. Being sharp enough to face the challenges of running a company can be merciless, particularly in this high tech, fast paced territory. Because getting ahead in business frequently has nothing to do with qualifications or exceeding a set of specific goals, here are some cutting edge blogs that will help you win at the business game and expand the horizons of your education.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Productivity

It takes a disciplined personality to set accountable actions in order to become a successful individual. Acquire some helpful productivity skills that you couldn’t learn in business school from these blogs.

  1. David Allen, Getting Things Done (GTD) -The acronym for “Getting Things Done” is a work and life management system by David Allen. His purpose is to improve the quality of life by providing the world’s best information, education, and products for personal productivity.
  2. Productivity Cafe – Your source for ideas on getting things done, being effective, and reducing stress. Aim towards efficiency and a better life.
  3. Productivity 501 – A site dedicated to bringing you regular tips and tricks to help increase your personal productivity.
  4. 43 Folders – Discusses personal productivity, life hacks, and simple ways to make your life a bit better. The posts are engaging and give a different view of personal productivity and the challenges of modern knowledge.
  5. Lifehack.org – Find great tips for saving time, organizing your life, and increasing productivity. Lifehack.org invites reader participation on its forums and has a popular “How to” section that’s worth checking out.
  6. Laura Stack: The Productivity Pro – Learn how to get things done, be more productive, and enjoy life to the fullest with the suggestions from professional Laura Stack.
  7. Black Belt Productivity – Read articles that preach time management as the main method to maximizing your productivity. Little life hacks, easy-to-use tools, and calendars are also reviewed in this blog.
  8. Zen Habits – Get a business blog that covers everything from achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, and motivation, to getting a flat stomach and eating healthy.
  9. Jeet Blog – Mainly focuses on different Web 2.0 apps and online tools and how they can help you become more productive in your daily life. You will also find articles on blogging, social media, and on different aspects of the blogosphere.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Career Development

If you are just graduating college, there may be some specific needs you have when entering the job market. Check out these sites for a little help making the jump.

  1. Career Rocketeer – This is one of the most popular career development blogs on the internet. They welcome ambitious career entrepreneurs of all ages and professions who are driven to reach greater career heights.
  2. The Creative Career – Observations on the transition from college into career. It also has insight on how students can adapt to the aspects in public relations, communications, and marketing that are always changing.
  3. Brazen Careerist – This blog is anything but your classic career site. Formed by a group of top Gen Y thought leaders, these posts provide forward thinking and encouragement to define your own path.
  4. Daily Career Connection – This business blog is for individuals interested in growing as job professionals. Whether you’re just starting out or have been looking for a long time, this business blog has many tips that can help.
  5. The Career Key Blog – These bloggers want you to utilize this site as a forum for sharing news and respectable resources about careers. They also explore many self employment and entrepreneurial options.
  6. Rise Smart Blog Learn more about rising up in the ranks at work, even if you’re starting at the bottom, from this site.
  7. Women’s Leadership Blog – This blog is sponsored by Future Women Leaders . Although not solely for career coaching, it shares resources, tips, and advice to inspire women to become leaders in both their professional and personal lives.
  8. CareerDoctor.org – Great advice from Dr. Randall Hansen, Career Coach. He has over 20 years of experience coaching everyone from teenagers to senior executives with a variety of education and job search issues.
  9. SI Career Development Blog – Brought to you by the University of Michigan School of Information, this is not just a blog for their students. The articles posted can help anyone obtain valuable information to develop a career.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Social Networking & Media

Business networking is a valuable tool to gain information, so increase your visibility in your field and make connections to help you move forward with the help of these business blogs.

  1. Mashable – This is one of the leading tech blogs focused on Web 2.0 and social networking news. With more than 5 million monthly page views, this is the go to site for reviewing new sites and services along with breaking updates on what’s new on the web.
  2. Sociable Blog – Get all the latest news and articles, as well as some great video about social networking, media, communities, and software from all over the world.
  3. Networking Now – This blog is written by the founder of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization. Get marketing secrets and anecdotes about his years of experience in small business marketing.
  4. The Social Networking Weblog – Videos, tips, and tricks make it easy to get a grasp on working with social media. There are also some easy step by step tutorials.
  5. Social Media Coaching Center – Find what you want to learn about social media on this site. They’ve put together a group of coaches and social media gurus to show you how to use the tools and networks.
  6. Online Social Networking – Educate yourself on the new strategies and tactics of social media. You can also get helpful information about building your presence on the web.
  7. Market Like a Chick – This blogger’s main emphasis is to present advice and useful guides in social media and blogging. Her commentary is offered from a strong woman’s point of view.
  8. The LinkedIn Blog – This is the corporate blog of the world’s biggest professional network, LinkedIn . It gives you the chance to communicate with more than 10 million members.
  9. Chrisbrogan.com – Chris investigates the use of social media and social networking tools. He has been helping individuals work more productively for years.
  10. Social Media Explorer – Journey into the world of social media to find efficient and formative ways to relate brands with buyers. This blog is authored by Jason Falls.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Self Awareness & Improvement

The business world can be frustrating, but just remember you can choose how you respond to your settings. Increase your self-awareness so you can get a better understanding of what pushes your buttons with the help of the below business blogs.

  1. PIckTheBrain – This is a website covering anything related to self improvement and development. The main categories discussed are self education, personal productivity, and motivation.
  2. KnowledgeReform.com Blog – Get self improvement advice and tips as well as practical knowledge needed for self empowerment. You will feel inspired to enhance your life upon reading many of these posts along with the need to educate your mind as well.
  3. Think Simple Now – An objective composition that pinpoints key issues in our lives that cause us to be unhappy or depressed. Simple answers are brought to you in a way that’s easily comprehendible. Motivate yourself to seek contentment and true well being.
  4. Steve Pavlina.com – Steve is known as one of the most respected personal development bloggers on the World Wide Web . He has written over 1,000 articles on a wide variety of self-help topics.
  5. The Positivity Blog – Focus on bringing and seeing the positivity in your life with this blog. Expand your opportunities and open up new phases of life with these informative articles
  6. Life Optimizer – These posts can help you optimize personal effectiveness and focus on your dreams to gain success. It is a great source for personal motivation and inspiration.
  7. iNeedMotivation – This blog is all about self help and motivation for practical individuals. Topics discussed include personal development , spirituality, and the principles for success.
  8. Live Your Life with Prosperity and Success – Written by Brian Maxwell, who is a life coach, motivational speaker, and author of self help books. After working with some of the world’s biggest companies, he decided to start speaking motivationally to smaller groups to provide inspiration for living life with happiness and wealth.
  9. Self Improvement – The goal of this blog is to stress the value of self help to individuals around the world. Whether she’s discussing dealing with failure or giving tips for problem solving in everyday life, she is bound to provide some inspiration.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Marketing

Although there are marketing classes taught in business school, these blogs offer up innovative views on today’s business marketing.

  1. Seth Godin’s Blog – Mr. Godin was founder of Yoyodyne, an interactive marketing company, which Yahoo Inc. acquired in late 1998. His blog often creates direction in business and life, such as financial advice for grads.
  2. Duct Tape Marketing – Get marketing tips from this small business expert. John Jantsch hands out three or four small business marketing tips weekly in easily understandable bite-size tidbits.
  3. Drew’s Marketing Minute – Tips and strategies on issues such as business plans, picking domain names, and going mobile are included. There is a plethora of information to help you make the right choices for business.
  4. The Internet Strategist – Gain knowledge from an internet industry veteran with her own New York marketing firm. This blog specializes in traditional and internet marketing for entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
  5. Strategy Stew – A place where business and marketing professionals go for creative ideas on trends. There are links to experts and all things related to getting your ideal customers.
  6. How to Change the World – Guy Kawasaki is a managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, an early-stage capital firm. His articles often provide usable lists that are relevant to marketing for his readers.
  7. TylerCruz.com – Chronicles everyday operations of his life as a web entrepreneur. Post topics range from blogging tips, affiliate marketing , inspirational and motivational posts, guest posts, in-depth articles, and reviews.
  8. Search Engine Land – A great resource for news and information about search engine marketing, optimization, and how search engines work for searchers.
  9. Business Pundit – Learn things you never would have thought of on this unconventional blog. You will receive bold opinions and advice on marketing topics that help businesses grow.
  10. Copyblogger – This blog offers some copywriting tips that are essential to online marketing and effective blogging.
  11. Online Marketing Blog – Offers digital marketing related articles, resources, and interviews. Subjects discussed range from search marketing to online public relations.
  12. PyroMarketing – Greg Stielstra, author of “PyroMarketing: The Four Step Strategy to Ignite Customer Evangelists and Keep Them for Life,” shares his marketing mastery on his blog.
  13. Andy Beal’s Marketing Pilgrim – Andy Beal discusses news from the search engine industry. Her posts are on topics like blogging, RSS, and other internet marketing strategies.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Personal Branding

No professor will show you how to differentiate yourself as an expert in your field, articulate your unique value, and establish respect and credibility. These unconventional business blogs on personal branding will.

  1. Personal Branding Blog – Position yourself to become known for your perseverance and expertise. See your brand from the very beginning and go beyond the competitive edge taking place in major companies.
  2. Altaeeblog.com – Learn all about using personal branding power to enhance your opportunities. Get yourself noticed and gain motivation at the same time.
  3. Brand Yourself – Get a better understanding of the basics behind business branding. Learn about what you need to do to get your name out there.
  4. Quick Sprout – By the age of 21, Neil Patel was named a top 100 blogger by Technorati. He was also voted as one of top influencers on the web according to the ” Wall Street Journal .” See why by visiting.
  5. Krishna De’s Biz Growth News – Get some inspiration as well as resources and research so that you create an engaging personal brand. Gain knowledge of traditional marketing, communications strategies, and social media.
  6. Cube Rules – Cube Rules offers support and personal branding advice. They cater to career-minded individuals working in corporate America.
  7. Jibber Jobber Blog – These personal branding experts offer updates on networking and organizational tools. There are also thoughts and reviews on other resources.
  8. The Engaging Brand – Read this blogger’s thoughts on the world of business, branding, and creativity. His goal is to enable people to be the best that they can be.
  9. Brand-Yourself.com Blog – Tools, education, and hints to help you build your personal brand online are found here.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Effective Communication & Presentation

One of the most important skills anyone can develop is the capability to speak decidedly, persuasively, and aggressively in front of an audience of one or 1,000. Read these blogs for some tips and advice on how to do just that.

  1. Communication Nation – This business blog is dedicated to that belief that communication is one of the most important skills anyone can have, in business and life. The blogger thinks we will be happier and more productive if we can improve our ability to communicate.
  2. Six Minutes – Public speaking and presentation skills analysis and opinions. Become a more forceful speaker and communicate conclusively.
  3. Professionaly Speaking – A community of speakers of all experience levels come together to learn, share, and grow in the understanding of public speaking. They also have great resources such as the rhyming dictionary and movie speeches.
  4. Mike Stopforth – Mike is an entrepreneur, communications consultant, and keynote presenter. He is passionate about young individuals profiting in business, e-communication, and how they work together.
  5. Robin Good’s Latest News – Everything you need to know from experts in the field about new ideas, tools, and resources to communicate with media technologies.
  6. The Accidental Communicator – The blog for improving your presentation and communication skills. There are also some fast tips that can help you in a crunch.
  7. Overnight Sensation – Learn how to reach your communication potential faster. Public speaking, personal development, and interpersonal skills are just some of the topics covered.
  8. High Stakes Presentations – Sims Wyeth gives people the knowledge and skills they need to become accomplished speakers.
  9. Business Communication Headline News – A full range of help and education that you need to achieve all of your communication and presentation needs. Meet your expectations of public speaking through this blog.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Sales, Negotiating, and Critical Thinking

Being able to evaluate information, sort the potentially valuable from the trivial, analyze its relevance and meaning, and make a decision based upon it is a crucial skill that can’t be taught in any business class.

  1. Negotiating for Profit Includes information on negotiating tips and strategies on all types of situations both business and personal. There is also video training and tutorials available.
  2. The Thinker – A blog all about critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and creativity.
  3. The Sales Blog – Written by S. Anthony Iannarino, a sales coach and entrepreneur for over ten years. His commentary offers a fresh, new look at the art of sales and sales management.
  4. The Negotiation Board – Jonathan and Jennifer Martin are both graduates from the University of Washington Business School. They hope to use their experiences not learned in school to help anyone learn how to negotiate.
  5. Think About It – A business analyst working with Web 2.0 tools and knowledge management. Her focus is on crucial decision processes and critical thinking material.
  6. Sales Management Front Line Blog – Discusses key issues currently relevant to the success of sales leaders. Take action and act with that special edge to deal with any challenge.
  7. Sales and Sales Management Blog – Discussion of sales and sales management topics with an emphasis on addressing real world issues with legitimate answers. There are articles by a number of to top guest trainers and consultants included.
  8. IQ Matrix Blog – Dedicated to helping you improve your human brain potential through a sharp mixture of mind mapping and critical thinking fundamentals.
  9. Sales Management 2.0 – Created to share helpful insights and practical knowledge that will help every sales professional increase their income without compromising their values.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Writing

Learning to write well involves not just mastery of grammar but the ability to organize one’s thoughts into a coherent form and target it to an audience in the most effective way possible.

  1. There Are No Rules – Learn about today’s publishing trends and how authors can survive in all the faced paced changes in technology. Get a closer view of the publishing business and find practical tools for success.
  2. Grammar Girl – Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Simplify your grammar problems with memory tricks to help you remember use those tedious grammar guidelines.
  3. Quips and Tips for Successful Writers – Between fast articles and insightful advice from successful writers, all of your writing questions can be answered and compared between the present and the past.
  4. The Book Deal – A blog for writers of all ages. Get a look at a veteran’s take on the weird and ever changing way books are published in the business today.
  5. Six Sentences – What can you say in six sentences? Take a try to give your creativity a jump start.
  6. The Creative Penn – Outstanding blogger, podcaster, and social media guru, Joanna Penn, offers interviews, hints, and answers for writers with a digital media focus.
  7. Query Shark – Literary agent Janet Reid gives her authentic and direct standpoint on query letters. She brutally reviews letters from writers who are brave enough to get thrown into her shark tank.
  8. A Newbie’s Guide to Getting Published – Author J.A. Konrath has done it all and gives his weathered advice and writer’s perspective on what it takes to get noticed in the arena of book publishing.
  9. Writer Beware – You should definitely add this blog to your list of favorites if writing is your interest. The best site for reports and analysis on the scams and downfalls of publishing.
  10. Loudpoet – Publisher, poet, and digital media planner, Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, shows a wide angled view and offers some paired necessary advice for struggling writers and publishers.

Cutting Edge Business Blogs for Finances

Good financial management can make or break a company. It’s not just a matter of having enough money — it’s about having enough money for the right things at the right time. These blogs will help you stay focused on your business and personal budgets.

  1. Get Rich Slowly – This business blog is devoted to personal finance, offering tips and advice on saving money, investing wisely, and getting a grip on your investing.
  2. The Financial Guru – Receive a holistic approach to money and wealth from Vanessa Summers. She is the CEO of a company dedicated to empowering people to be successful in any economy through entrepreneurship.
  3. PFBlogs.com – This network of personal finance blogs will connect you to all kinds of great advice for organizing your money.
  4. Wise Bread – Learn how to live “large on a small budget.” This personal finance and frugal living guide is also chock full of clever life hacks.
  5. Young Money.com – Trying to change the way young adults earn, manage, invest, and spend money since 1999. This blog is primarily written by student journalists and focuses on money management, entrepreneurship, careers, investing, and technology.
  6. Rich by Thirty – If your major goal in life is to make money, then check out this blog. Its content is full of tips for raking in the big bucks.
  7. Getting Finances Done – This blog is “your guide to stress-free financial control.” Learn how to organize your bills, stay out of debt, and get a handle on your bank account with these excellent hacks.
  8. The Simple Dollar – Access free calculators, personal finance tips, and articles like “Your Money or Your Life: The Money Trap.”
  9. The Only Guide to Investing an Entrepreneur Will Ever Need – A guide with a simple premise of investing their savings cautiously. A personal finance guru, Lewis Schiff gives advice on everything from how to invest your money to how to prepare for recession.
  10. The Wisdom Journal – This is a blog about life, money, business, and the pursuit of balance. Read posts about personal finance, marketing, management, and links to other great sites.

Graduating from Bschool can be the most fulfilling thing you’ll do in your lifetime. Just understand that there’s a lot more to it than business plans and target markets. Most of what you learn won’t be taught in Business 101, but left up to you (with a little help from these top 100 cutting-edge business blogs).

Choosing the Right University

An alarming number of college students choose their university based on where their friends from high school are going, who has the best football team, what college is cheapest or what college is closest to their home. While these factors will always influence your college decision, they should certainly not be the only factors.

The college where your friends go may not offer the program that best matches your career goals, the college with the amazing football team may be too overcrowded for your tastes and the cheapest or closest colleges may not have the best reputation. The college you pick can help set the course for the rest of your life, so it’s important to put some careful thought into which one will best suit your needs.

Before you even go about choosing a university, you should have a clear picture of the major in which you are interested. All too many students waste time in the wrong major (and even at the wrong university) because they are wishy-washy about their educational interests. Know for certain what area you wish to study so that you can effectively compare the cost and quality of different universities’ programs.

Let’s say you are interested in studying journalism. Start by researching which universities have strong journalism programs. Some universities offer journalism as its own major while others wrap it up into a larger focus, such as mass communications. Pay attention to which universities have created their own colleges or schools or journalism. This indicates that the university has devoted enough faculty and resources to the journalism program that you will receive a rich educational experience. You will also need to examine which journalism programs are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

You can apply this same process to almost any other major. Study which schools are well-known for their programs in, say, nursing or political science or business and then further narrow down your decision by quality and cost, always ensuring that the program is accredited by a known accrediting agency that looks exclusively at programs in your major.

Weigh the positives and negatives of going to school out of state. Can you find a program of similar quality in your own state and save yourself the additional cost of out-of-state tuition? Do you consider getting out of the comfort zone of your state as essential to your college experience as the quality of the college itself?

Finally, consider if an online university can best meet your needs. Do you need flexibility because of work or family obligations? Can you learn independently? You may not even need to leave your home to gain an excellent college education.

A Guide to Avoiding Student Debt

These days, it seems like you can’t come out of college without thousands of dollars of debt hanging over your head. Whether it’s student loans or credit cards, lots of college students end up with debt that they have to take care of early in their post-college life. It can be a hassle to deal with, and you’re better off without it. Here’s how you can stay away from the student debt trap.

Get a scholarship. It may be easier said than done, but if you’ve got great academic achievement, special interests, or belong to a certain group, you may be able to get a scholarship or even a grant to go to college free or at a great discount. Even if you don’t have any qualities that might qualify you for typical scholarships, pure persistence can pay off if you apply to contests, competitions, and write lots of essays. If you work hard and keep your scholarship, you can save thousands of dollars.

Go to school close to home. It’s not nearly as exciting as packing up and moving across the country to a school in a new state, but staying near home certainly has its perks. You’ll get a discounted state rate and be able to visit home more cheaply. If you’re really close, you’ll be able to stop by and do laundry, eat, and take meals home with you. Some students who go to school close to home decide to live with their parents during some or all of their college years to save thousands.

Get a part time job. If you want to pay cash for your tuition as it comes, try getting a part time job. Talk to your school’s career counselor to find jobs on and off campus that can help you make your tuition bills disappear. Co-op job placements are great as well. You can earn job experience and a paycheck to pay your tuition bills at the same time.

Work it off. If you’ve already gotten student loans and need to pay them off, public service options can get you out of student loan debt. The military, nursing, and education all offer programs that allow you to work in certain commitments in exchange for student loan forgiveness.

Although college can be expensive, you don’t have to go into debt to afford it. Through a combination of frugality and smart planning, you can graduate from college without a cloud of debt hanging over your head.

Building Healthy Habits in College

College is probably the first time you’ll be completely responsible for your daily habits, especially eating, sleeping, and exercising. And now that you’re in charge, you’ve got to make sure you’re doing things right. Here are some of the healthy habits you should work to build when you’re in college. With these, you can ensure that you get your independent life started in a healthy way.

Don’t smoke. A lot of smokers get started in high school and college, but you should really avoid picking up this bad habit before it starts. You’ll see lots of students smoking on campus, in bars, or at parties, and may be tempted to join them. Make the right choice and keep your lungs and body healthy by avoiding smoking.

Eat breakfast every day. With early morning classes, it might be hard to squeeze in a healthy breakfast, but you should make an effort. Breakfast will help you build the energy you need to make it through the day and give your brain power to deal with class. Even if it’s not a sit-down breakfast, grab a piece of toast on your way out, or a fruit that you can eat while you’re walking to class.

Deal with stress. Now is the time to figure out how to properly handle stress in your life. More than ever before, you’ll be bombarded with responsibilities and issues that can dramatically increase your stress levels and leave you feeling frazzled. Find out what works for you as a stress reliever, and learn about stress relief techniques that you can use now and once you’re out of school.

Get enough sleep at night. Sure, you want to stay up late and party, or even finish up some studying. But manage your schedule so that you can sleep in late or nap during the day to make up for it. You should get as close to 8 hours if you can, so if that means not signing up for early morning classes, so be it. You’ll thank yourself for having enough energy to deal with college life.

Now that you’re on your own in college, it can be a challenge to make healthy choices. But if you start with these healthy habits, you’ll be on your way to starting a healthy life. Get started today with these, and create your own healthy habits for life.

50 Incredible Books Every Educator Should Read

Whether a daycare worker, homeschooler, or traditional teacher, the task of educating can be daunting. Assignments, lesson plans, grading, and discipline are just some of the responsibilities involved with being an educator. However, no amount of education can prepare you for what truly happens in the classroom.

To this end, we have gathered 50 incredible books every educator should read. No matter if looking for inspiration, advice, or just a good read, they can help your career in education immensely.

Incredible Books Every Educator Should Read by a Teacher

Read these books by teachers for teachers to get a jump on that next school year.

    1. The Last Lecture : The late Randy Pausch inspired both a university and world with his teachings and famous last lecture. It was so phenomenal, it inspired this book and is a must read for anyone, especially educators. If still unsure, check out his entire lecture on YouTube.

    2. Educating Esmé : Esmé Raji Codell wrote a funny, hip diary filled with one-liners and unadorned thoughts that speak volumes about the raw, emotional life of a first year teacher. Full of both fantasy and real life accounts, this one is a can’t miss. Given five stars by nearly 90 readers, be sure and give this one a look.

    3. First Year Teacher’s Survival Guide : Julia Thompson has been a public school teacher for more than 25 years. She has taught a wide variety of subjects including English, reading, special education, math, geography, home economics, physical education, and employment skills. The book gives new teachers a wide variety of tested strategies, activities, and tools for creating a positive and dynamic learning environment while meeting the challenges of each school day.

    4. If You Don’t Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students : This book is packed with words of wisdom and is one book no administrator or teacher should be without. Filled with practical tips to improve school climate, communication skills, and fun, this must-have resource will leave you laughing your way to a more successful school year.

    5. Teacher Under Construction : Jerry Parks shares things he wished he could have known when starting out his teaching career. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and regular speaker at the National Middle School Association. It provides practical, essential, and usable information to help new teachers set up and run a classroom in middle school.

    6. The First Days of School : Harry Wong believes the first days of school for a teacher can either make or break you. The book walks a teacher, either novice or veteran, through the most effective ways to begin a school year. With over three million copies sold, it is definitely worth a look.

    7. Teach My Kid: I Dare You! : A series of authors discuss how parenting and teaching combine. It provides ten essential steps for designing a comprehensive parent involvement program to increase communication between students, parents, and schools. Practical strategies and activities are also included.

    8. My First Year as a Teacher : Get recounts of the ups and downs of a first year in the classroom. Twenty five teachers total give firsthand accounts. They include the trials and rewards of educating a variety of students.

Incredible Books Every Educator Should Read for a Teacher

These books were written with inspiring educators in mind.

    9. Tuesdays With Morrie : Famous writer Mitch Albom wrote the successful “Five People You Meet in Heaven.” In this true story, he tells of his college professor of 20 years ago and how he was inspired by Morrie. It also became a television series of the same name.

    10. The Don’t Sweat Guide for Teachers : Learn how to cut through the clutter so every day counts with this book. Best-selling author Richard Carlson wrote other similar books to help others learn how to make the most of their work.

    11. Letters to my Teacher : This book contains a collection of inspiring letters to teachers from adults looking back and kids looking up. It is filled with dozens of real-life letters and speaks of lessons learned, lives changed, and the quiet heroes who made it all possible. An inspiring read for anyone who was effected by a teacher.

    12. God’s Little Devotional Book for Teachers : If you need the Almighty’s help in teaching, this is the book for you. It is full of true-to-life stories and scriptures to provide teachers with the heartfelt inspiration they need to renew their spirits and refresh their minds. It also makes a great gift.

    13. The Story of My Life : Any teacher who feels frustrated should have a look at this book. It is the story of Helen Keller and her teacher. Best of all, the book is public domain and can be read in its entirety here.

    14. So You Want to Be a Teacher? : If unsure about a career in teaching, have a look at this book. It is a valuable tool for both students and teachers. Four parts cover the many aspects of education.

    15. The Power of Their Ideas : Deborah Meier is a veteran school principal who fights to get large high schools into smaller, more efficient ones. In the book, she shares lessons from a struggling school in Harlem. See teaching at its most difficult and inspiring here.

Incredible Books Every Educator Should Read to Become a Teacher

If still studying to become an educator, these books can be your best friend.

    16. Accomplished Teaching : Get the key to National Board Certification with this book. It will help those just entering the education field to understand the Standards of the teaching profession and will help experienced teachers review and refine their practices against those Standards whether or not they choose to seek National Board Certification. A CD is also included.

    17. So You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher? : As a teacher with the implementation of No Child Left Behind, the career is becoming more difficult. As more states encourage validation of teaching effectiveness, NBPTS certification remains the one standard by which you can establish unquestioned credibility. This book can help you learn everything about it.

    18. The National Board Certification Workbook : Click here for more information on another book to help with certification. It can help you develop a portfolio and prepare for assessment exams. The second edition contains even more tools.

    19. Mentoring the NBPTS Candidate : Jerry Parks returns to coach you through the certification process. He accomplished this goal himself in 2002 and shows you how. Chapters include FAQs, ethics, writing tips, and others.

    20. Ganbatte Means Go For It! : Celeste Heiter shows you how to become an English teacher in Japan. The book is packed with information and advice on getting a job, moving to Japan, succeeding in your new job and environment, and enjoying your stay there. Even though it is specific, any teacher can learn from the lessons.

    21. Road to Teaching : Maximize your teacher training, excel at student teaching, and find your ideal teaching job. Eric Hougan addresses these unique stages of becoming an educator by providing 50 valuable strategies and insightful advice. He also shows you how to allow for a smooth transition from student teacher to exemplary teacher.

    22. Teacher Interviews : An important part of becoming a teacher, learn how to nail the interview with this book’s help. Robert Pollock shows you how to get the interview and how to get hired. He tells prospective candidates how to write eye-catching cover letters and resumes that will move them to the top of the must interview list.

    23. U.S. News Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Teacher : If you enjoy the magazine, you will enjoy this comprehensive guide. It offers a complete overview of the turmoil in the profession and the spread of reforms designed to attract the best and brightest to teaching-and to encourage them stay.

    24. How to Get the Teaching Job You Want : Robert Feirsen takes on the competitive world of teaching in this book. Now extensively revised, this book maintains its place as the most up-to-date book available on job hunting for teachers. It covers changes in the educational marketplace, the new mandates about standardized testing, public reporting of student achievement, and more.

Incredible Books Every Educator Should Read to Teach Better

These books focus on helping educators improve their craft.

    25. Teaching Outside the Box : LouAnne Johnson shows you how to “grab your students by their brains” in this popular book. It is a unique resource that also acknowledges the importance of each teacher’s personal attitudes and beliefs about teaching. It contains a step by step plan, approaches for discipline, motivation, management, and portfolios.

    26. Reluctant Disciplinarian : Gary Rubinstein was a self-described “softie” who eventually became a successful teacher. In this funny and insightful book, he relives his own truly disastrous first year of teaching. He begins his teaching career armed only with idealism and romantic visions of teaching and absolutely no classroom management skills.

    27. Setting Limits in the Classroom : Robert Mackenzie’s first edition was so popular, he revised it into this one. The book shows how to move beyond the dance of discipline in today’s classroom. It shows how you can apply practical advice and skills to the classroom from day one.

    28. Rookie Teaching for Dummies : What would the “Dummies” series of books be without one for teachers? Along with the usual tips, it also explains politics, paperwork, and legal issues. Explanations are in plain English with get in, get out information.

    29. The Everything New Teacher Book : Melissa Kelly shows you how to increase confidence, connect with students, and deal with the unexpected. She is a longtime teacher who shows you how to set goals. From the rules and tools of a successful learning environment to advice on behavior management, the book is the perfect guide for educators during their first or second year and even veteran teachers making a grade change.

    30. The Creative Teacher : This book contains an encyclopedia of ideas to energize your curriculum. Specifically for teachers K-6, it offers tools to enhance standard based curriculum. Writing prompts, projects, DIY cut outs, and more are included.

    31. Discipline in the Secondary Classroom : Get a positive approach to behavior management with this educational book. Classroom management guru Randall Sprick offers practical strategies for beginning the school year, organizing the classroom for success, and establishing rules and behavior expectations for students. He also provides scores of helpful tips gathered from successful classroom teachers or gleaned from the latest educational research.

    32. Motivating Students Who Don’t Care : Allen N. Mendler is an educator and school psychologist who has worked extensively with children of all ages. As one of the internationally recognized authors of the Discipline With Dignity program, he has worked to develop effective strategies for educators. In this book he shows you how.

    33. One Minute Discipline : Get 60 second classroom management strategies that work. The book delivers a unique collection of practical, proven-effective techniques. It also contains ready-to-use tools for managing classroom behavior and creating the positive environment that students and teachers need to promote learning.

    34. Fires in the Bathroom : If you are a high school educator and feel in over your head, this is the book for you. Kathleen Cushman is an education journalist working in conjunction with the nonprofit organization What Kids Can Do and extensively interviewed high school students in several urban areas about every aspect of school, producing this compendium of their advice here.

Incredible Public Domain Books Every Educator Should Read

Put away your wallet, grab a computer, and read these top books every teacher should know at no charge.

    35. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn : Mark Twain’s classic tale has long been a classroom staple. Themes include childhood, slavery, humor, friendship, and more. Read it again or for the first time.

    36. Alice in Wonderland : Both children and adults have been captivated by this classic tale for over 100 years. During his time, Lewis Carroll and the rest of the world were being inundated with a new form of math and were struggling to make sense of it all. In the story, Alice escapes the real world to enter a fantasy one more fraught with danger.

    37. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes : Show students that before it was a movie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved character was practicing on Baker Street. One of the original mystery stories, Holmes and Watson go on several adventures. Included are The Red Headed League, The Man with the Twisted Lip, and many others.

    38. Grimm’s Fairy Tales : In another entry that has been made into films, the brothers Grimm captivated the world with well-known tales such as Cinderella, Snow White, and others. A useful read if teaching younger children.

    39. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz : Although there are several books that take place in Oz, this is the best known. The story follows Dorothy’s adventures as she is sucked out of Kansas and dropped into a mysterious land. Valuable lessons are also included.

    40. The Count of Monte Cristo : Middle to high school students will enjoy this book. Alexandre Dumas weaves a story that was the basis for films such as “The Shawshank Redemption.” Subjects include revenge, adventure, and forgiveness.

    41. Pride and Prejudice : If you lost the girls in your classroom with the above, try this book. Jane Austen is well known for capturing the voice of her generation so well, it translates into today’s society. Love, romance, and family are all examined.

    42. Frankenstein : Written by Mary Shelley in the early 1800’s, this book is one of the first ever horror stories. The tale involves a man’s desperate attempts to defy death and the consequences that come with it. Id, ego, and superego are also good teaching tools for more advanced students.

> Incredible Fiction Books Every Educator Should Read

Whether to yourself or to the class, every educator should have these books on hand.

    43. The Giving Tree : Shel Silverstein has captured the ear and imaginations of students for decades. In this moving book, a boy and a tree have a special relationship. Visit the official site to get more information, games, and even animations.

    44. Green Eggs and Ham : Dr. Seuss is well known for wonderful, lyrical works. As fun to hear as it is to read, it follows the tale of Sam-I-Am and the breakfast that doesn’t want to be eaten. Students learn words, rhymes, and more.

    45. Where the Wild Things Are : Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Medal as the “Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year,” it was controversial when it was first written. The theme of dealing with dark emotions was rare in children’s literature, especially in picture book format for young children.

    46. Charlotte’s Web : In his classic and beloved novel, E. B. White tells the memorable story of Wilbur, a little pig who becomes famous with the help of his clever friend Charlotte and their chatty animal neighbors. As the runt of the litter, Wilbur struggles to survive from the very beginning. This book will have all kids growing up a little, so be careful of age.

    47. Ramona: Whether starting out with “Beezus and Ramona” or the award winning “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” this is standard reading for educators. Beverly Cleary’s ability to create characters that resonate with both boys and girls is not to be missed. The official site has more, including teaching resources.

    48. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing : Judy Blume’s book focuses on fourth grader Peter who has a problem. His little brother, also known as Fudge, is a terror. A fun fact is that the book was based on the story of a real life toddler who swallowed a turtle.

    49. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe : This book marks the first in the highly successful Chronicles of Narnia series. Four young children set on a quest to free the world of Narnia from tyranny. Also available as an audio CD or eBook.

    50. The Hobbit : Before “The Lord of the Rings” there was this volume by J. R. R. Tolkien. Published in 1937, it remains one of the bestselling books of the 20th century. Tolkien drew deeply on his knowledge of ancient mythology, primarily Norse mythology, to flesh out the characters and plot.

No matter the grade, size, or ability of your students, there is much to be learned from the above 50 incredible books every educator should read. Be sure to pick both books that can be read inside or out of the classroom to get the most of your teaching.