Joshua Stock

“Awesome Sauce” (2020)

Playful book by award-winning educator Josh Stock shows teachers how to make simple videos to improve student learning and classroom culture, and connect with parents. The ability to use video to communicate has become a basic element of literacy – inside and outside the classroom. This fun-to-read book shows educators how to make simple videos that explain assignments, welcome students to new schools and grades, differentiate lessons for a range of learning levels and more. The book also helps teachers use video to address common issues like enhancing classroom culture and managing parent communication.Structured like a cookbook, Awesome Sauce discusses both the "why" and the "how" behind the strategies. Each section begins with the story of why Stock uses the strategy, demonstrating what teachers will get out of trying it with their students. These explanations are followed by "how-to" recipes that guide readers in creating the "awesome sauce" their videos will become.The book: Provides practical ways to create videos for the classroom to boost learning outcomes. Offers a creative and fresh approach to PD with manageable layout and friendly, accessible voice. Offers an accessible solution for all classroom teachers, regardless of tech skills, including basic setups that yield great results. For the author, it comes down to this: "I want to be the best teacher possible and using these recipes gives me the chance to make the biggest impact possible on the rock star students in my classroom."