Contrary to what you may have heard on Oprah, not only do High Tech High students read books, but they actually produce books too. HTH students and faculty publish their work on websites and in books, because we believe that an important step in the learning process is presenting one’s work to an authentic audience. It is also how we hold ourselves accountable for the work that we do. Help the High Tech High accountability effort by purchasing books below.
HTeNC 2nd Grade Books
A selection of books from High Tech Elementary North County 2nd Grade "the Big World, Little Library" and "The Power We Have".
Portraits of North County
All people have unique stories and sharing our stories builds community. Using the Humans of New York series as inspiration, students captured interesting stories from our community through interviews and photography. By honoring others’ stories we can turn the invisible visible to develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of our community.
Treasure Our Tidepools!
A book about the animals of the tidepool habitat and how to "treasure" them. Written and illustrated by Kindergarten students at High Tech Elementary North County in San Marcos, California. Part of the HTeNC Kindergarten Conservation series (see also Protect Our Ponds! and Save Our Sandy Shores!)
Save Our Sandy Shores!
As part of a 10-week project, Kindergarten students from San Diego's High Tech Elementary North County studied the Sandy Shore habitat. They created this book to save our sandy beaches and the animals that live there. Part of the HTeNC Kindergarten Conservation series (see also Protect Our Ponds! and Treasure Our Tidepools!)
Protect Our Ponds!
As part of the “Pond Protectors” project in the Spring of 2014, Kindergarteners from High Tech Elementary North County studied the pond as a habitat and explored the driving questions “How are plants and animals helpers in their communities?” and “How can we help protect our local ponds?” Each student became an expert on an animal within a local watershed. They created original artwork and contributed individual conservation messages to help protect plants and animals of the ponds and local watersheds in San Diego County. Part of the HTeNC Kindergarten Conservation series (see also Treasure our Tidepools! and Save Our Sandy Shores!)
Tidepool Creature Features to Treasure
A book about the animals of the tidepool habitat, their creature features, and how to "treasure" them. Written and illustrated by Kindergarten students at High Tech Elementary North County in San Marcos, California.
Do Grunion Really Run? And Other Grunion Wonders
Have you heard about the natural phenomenon called the grunion run? It is when the grunion fish “runs” on the sandy shores along the coast of southern California and Mexico to lay their eggs (spawn). A class of first graders at High Tech Elementary North County in San Diego, California had many wonders about the grunion, but could not find any books with answers to their questions. The students engaged in field work and met with experts throughout this 10-week project. They wrote this book to teach others around the world about this natural wonder, the grunion.
Tidepool Treasures: An Activity Book
First graders at High Tech Elementary North County spent 12 weeks exploring and investigating the tidepools of San Diego County. This activity book was created by kids, for kids, to enjoy learning about the natural phenomena responsible for tides and tidepools while learning math, language arts, science, and engineering. Mazes, dot-to-dot, hidden pictures, and many other challenges await. We hope you enjoy!
Tidepool Treasures: An Explorer's Guide
An explorer's guide to "Tidepool Treasures," First Graders explain the phenomena related to the tides, reveal the natural treasures of the tidepool habitat, and explain how to explore the tidepools in a responsible way. "We found the explorer inside of us, now we hope you find the explorer inside of you."
Mighty Mini Stories
4th grade students from Chula Vista, California have written stories for you to enjoy!
Mighty Mini Stories Volume 2
Fourth grade authors have created these imaginative stories for you to enjoy!
San Diego County Birds and Native Plants:: A Third Grade Field Guide
A look at San Diego’s outside world through the eyes of a third grader. The third grade students of Room 9 at Explorer Elementary Charter School created this field guide of San Diego native plants and local birds through many months of field work, research, and expert visits.
Meet the Maya
An A-Z alphabet book about the Mayan culture as studied and written by Ms. Riley’s 7th grade class at High Tech Middle School.
Mohammad and the Number Genie: A Mathematical Adventure
Join Mohammed on an adventure around the world, in which he learns math concepts, discovers new places, and makes a new friend. A book written by the students of Melissa Daniels and Sarah Strong, 6th grade teachers at High Tech Middle.
San Diego County Birds and Native Plants: A Third Grade Field Guide
The third grade students of Room 8 at Explorer Elementary Charter School created this field guide of San Diego native plants and local birds. The students engaged in many months of field work, research, and drawings to produce this book. This book can accompany you on your next exploration of San…
A Mathematical Makeover: Using Student Choice to Differentiate Elementary Math Learning Stations
In this action research project Samantha Gladwell, an alum of the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership program, examines the impact of using student choice to differentiate mathematics learning stations in an elementary classroom at San Diego Cooperative Charter School.
What Instructional Strategies Promote Attendance and Participation in My First Period Class?
In this action research project Luis Perez, an alum of the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership program, explores how four different instructional strategies (group activities, games, incentives, and projects) can promote attendance and participation in schools.
Peer Collaboration and Critique: Using Student Voices to Improve Student Work
Who owns a final product? Teacher or students? And who gets to define quality work? Who should students take advice from? Is it even possible for a student to think about the quality of feedback they receive when someone in a position of power gives it? Or does feedback need to come from someone of…
Differentiation and Project Based Learning
In this action research project Wendie Ward, an alum of the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership program, explores how differentiation techniques can compliment the philosophies of project based learning (PBL).
In Pursuit of Equity: What happens when I share authority with students?
Many notions of “school” include a teacher who has authority and students who are expected to comply. This traditional outlook creates an environment where teacher directed curriculum and decisions are the norm…
Creating a Community of Communicators: An Action Research Project
Creating a Community of Communicators tells the story of a year spent in a middle school classroom to find out what would happen when the teacher focused on building the communication skills of her students. Students practiced discussion their learning, working in groups, and presenting in front of…
Where We Are From: A Collection of Poems
This book is a collection of “Where I’m From” poems written by the founding 8th graders of High Tech Middle Chula Vista. It is our first publication for the Staff/Holmes/Recendez Team. Although every poem is inspired by George Ella Lyon’s original “Where I’m From” poem, you will find…
How do literature circles influence the enjoyment, engagement, and achievement of young readers?
In this action research project Janna Steffan, an alum of the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership program, explores how literature circles influence the enjoyment, engagement, and achievement of young readers.
Cultivating a Classroom Culture that Values Beautiful Work
Coverage, coverage, coverage. In an attempt to make sure that my students were prepared for the state standards test and up to pace with district scope and sequence my classroom had taken on the feel of a factory…
Reader’s Theater
How can we motivate students to pick up a book and read? For many, learning to read can be a difficult task. It requires practice and repetition. In my study I wanted to encourage the love of reading, but also increase students’ fluency and comprehension. I accomplished this by using Reader’s…
Meditations in the Classroom
“Meditations in the Classroom” is the result of one teacher’s action research and reflection after using meditation in school over the course of a year.
From Achilles to Zeus: Greek Mythology
A collection of well-known Greek myths retold by 6th graders at High Tech Middle, San Diego.
Peer critique, supportive classrooms and self-evaluation
Action research following student progress as peer critique is introducted into an 8th grade language arts classroom.
Jason and the Mathalisa: A Mathematical Adventure
Join Jason on a journey through an art museum where he meets famous artists, learns new math concepts, and makes a new friend. A book written by the students of Sarah Strong and Melissa Daniels, 6th grade teachers at High Tech Middle.
San Diego County Birds and Native Plants: A Third Grade Field Guide
The third grade students of Room 10 at Explorer Elementary Charter School created this field guide of San Diego native plants and local birds. The students engaged in many months of field work, research, and drawings to produce this book. This book can accompany you on your next exploration of San…
Calculicious
A collaboration between Jeff Robin, art teacher, and Andrew Gloag, senior math teacher.
Cruzando Fronteras
Cruzando Fronteras This anthology contains the poetry of students from Jenny Wilson’s freshman Spanish class. For their final project, they explored the theme of “crossing borders” through art and spoken word poetry. The proceeds from the sales will be given to the International Rescue Committee’s program to help…
A Bite of the Norton-Simon
A collaboration between Jeff Robin, art teacher, and Colleen O’Boyle, senior English teacher.
Nebulae and How they Work
Come on an adventure through space as you read this book about nebulae! Learn how they form and the different types of them. This is a great book that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. A freshmen Physics project written by Christiane Pham and Kyle Correia.
Black Holes: What are they?
Written by Ethan Chan and Michael Thompson, currently 9th grade students at High Tech High. The books explains the concept of black holes in a manner simple enough for a child to understand.
The Blood Bank Project
A collaboration between Jeff Robin, art teacher, and Blair Hatch, multimedia and physiology teacher.
Dolly and the Six Pack Ring
Written by Rayna Kim. Illustrated by Aja Loyd. Students of Jill Dalinkus at High Tech High Chula Vista.
Fridge Town
Written by Ivan Lopez and Edwin Lopez. Students of Jill Dalinkus at High Tech High Chula Vista.
Sugar Stand and the Kiss
Written by Dannie Padilla and Kathryn Sanchez. Students of Jill Dalinkus at High Tech High Chula Vista.
Absolute Zero
A High Tech High project from the class of 2010. Created in the Fall 2009 Semester, this book covers an array of topics from Andrew Gloag’s senior physics class.
Scatterbrain
Many adults wonder what goes through a teenager’s mind. Many teenagers wonder the same thing. Scatterbrain: A Collection of Memoirs by former HTH teacher and HTH GSE alum Spencer Pforsich and his students offers an insight into the elusive minds of those living in a world that is completely their…
screeds on schooling
An edited collection of pieces written by the Ben Daley, HTH’s CEO and CAO, over the past decade.
Rome
Rome is a travel log shot on an iPhone of 2010 art history trip to ROME By Jeff Robin and students.
Student discourse on race
Former HTH teacher and HTH GSE alum Spencer Pforsich’s action research project, exploring how students talk about their views on race and ethnicity, their own identities, and what it means to them to be part of a diverse and integrated school.
Pardon Our Exceptional Minds
A compilation of poetry from Nikki Carter’s 9th grade students at HTH North County.
E is for Egypt
From Akhenaten to Zoser, “E is for Egypt” will take you on an alphabetical adventure through ancient Egypt. Created by the 6th grade students of the Melissa Daniels and Ben Krueger team at High Tech Middle.
Beauty and the Beach
A collaboration by students of High Tech Middle North County. All profits from the sale of Beauty and the Beach will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation.
Opening up to Math: How students experience open-ended math problems
In this action research project Sarah Strong, an alum of the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership program and 6th grade math/science teacher at High Tech Middle, explores how students experience open-ended math problems and how these problems help students to persevere, develop problem solving strategies and…
Economics Illustrated
Dan Wise and Jeff Robin’s students shared studied and wrote about economic theories and made lino-cut illustrates to help explain their ideas.
Speak Out: Finding Our Hidden Voices
A compilation of writing and art by 6th grade students at Finney Elementary in Chula Vista. Edited by Edrick Magalaguim, an alum of the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership program, as part of his work/research on creating a classroom where students feel comfortable and confident sharing their learning.
Ampersand vol.2
High Tech High Media Arts’ 11th grade wrote and produced Ampersand to document their thoughts and experiences as interns in the working world of San Diego.
Beginning To Teach: An Inquiry Into the Art and Science of Learning
“Beginning to Teach”, is our inaugural effort to publish new teachers’ inquiry. Our goal is to spread the word, literally, that first and second year teachers are pushing the edge of knowledge forward about what works for students.
The Life of Water
An exploration of water in our lives through photographs. Ms. Fortunato’s 6th Grade Science class at HTMMA.
From the Classroom to the Kitchen
A bilingual multicultural cookbook made possible by the work of a 24 10th-grade students at High Tech High in San Diego, CA. Each student contributed at least one special recipe from their own family or community. In addition, this book was made possible by the collaboration between High Tech High…
27 Ways to Make You Smile
A bilingual multicultural cookbook made possible by the work of a 23 tenth-grade students at High Tech High in San Diego, CA. Each student contributed at least one special recipe from their own family or community.
Iconic: The black and white of our heroes and heroines
American history and culture is absolutely full of amazing, inspiring characters, places and events. These people, places and things are the icons that create our shared culture. In this book, students use photography and reflective writing to explore their places in a continuum of American Icons.
Chemistry and Conflict
Each chapter is the product of a collaboration between two students. The chapters focus on the relationship between different chemical elements or compounds and historical conflicts, such as the relationship between isoprene (rubber) and 19th century Imperialism. Students were also asked to study…
Life: The Book
Volume One: Genetics in America. This book explains the growing role of genetic engineering in all stages of American life, from birth through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age and beyond. Each article addresses genetic engineering in one specific stage of life, including the relevant…
Alphabet Soup: The A-Z of Cell Biology
Alphabet soup, our creative encyclopedia, contains one or more cell biology terms for each letter of the alphabet. All of the pages and creative images were researched, designed, edited, illustrated and refined by the students of Jenny Morris’s biology class.
Cultural Encounters: The 10th Grade Family History Project
In this project, students explored how historical events such as immigration and war affected their families and the evolution of cultural traditions. Students wrote creative pieces related to their families’ stories, significant moments and traditions. The final pieces were compiled and…
A is for Ancient Egypt
An Alphabetical Adventure through Ancient Egypt, written by 6th grade Egyptologists at High Tech Middle.
Ampersand vol.3
High Tech High Media Arts’ 11th grade wrote and produced Ampersand to document their thoughts and experiences as interns in the working world of San Diego.
Staff Class to the Past
Fifty-six 8th graders from High Tech Middle Chula Vista traveled back in time. Come join them on their adventures through U.S. history!
Ancient Greece
Have you ever wondered about the ancient Greek gods that control the sky, sea and underworld? Have you ever wondered who invented theater and geometry? Do you wonder why the Olympics began and are still so famous today? If you’ve ever wondered about the origins of these important contributions...
Food for Thought
A cookbook full of healthy recipes with vegetables created by kids, for kids
Defining Moments
Defining Moments In December 2012, students in Mr. Simon’s 11th grade humanities class were asked to tell the story of a personal experience that crystallized what they’ve had to overcome to be who they are today. The students–the talented young authors of the personal narratives inside this book–hope you…
The Aveggies Cookbook
The Aveggies Cookbook was created by Ms. Deirdre’s High Tech Middle Chula Vista 6th Graders. Inside you will learn how they created the book, the benefits of eating vegetables, how to make 52 kid friendly, yet healthy recipes, and much, much more!
Labels DECLASSIFIED: The Truth Behind Your Products
In this informative full-color, illustrated product guide 52 sixth grade students from High Tech Middle Chula Vista investigate the ingredients inside of their favorite food and personal care products to learn about how they affect human health. Alternative recommendations are provided.
Zoology Believe It Or Not!: A Coloring Book Of Real And Mythical Animals
We would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of zoology. We have a diverse community of animals worldwide. There is wonder and mystery surrounding us that can be easily taken for granted. We would like to welcome you to our world of animals both real and mythical. Can you tell the difference…
Marine Biology Believe It Or Not!: A Coloring Book Guide To Real and Mythical Marine Creatures
A coloring book field guide to mythical and real sea creatures written and illustrated by 6th grade students at High Tech Middle in San Diego.
We Chose Our Own Adventures
For seven days in March 2014, A group of students in San Marcos, California had a choice. They could: A) Hike the Coast-to-Crest Trail, spanning 72 miles across the entire San Dieguito River Valley Watershed from Volcan Mountain to the beach at Del Mar. or B) Work with entrepreneurs, business…
Sharing the Heart of Our Stories: A Digital Storytelling Journey
Digital Storytelling is a powerful medium for expressing student voice, sharing stories, and building an empathetic community. My action research project chronicles a digital storytelling project in one 6th grade class during a semester of Multimedia with 27 students at High Tech Middle Media Arts...
Infographics Applied : Innovative résumés by the senior students at Gary and Jerri-Ann High Tech High
This is a compilation of infographic resumes from the 12th grade environmental science class at Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High in San Diego. High Tech High is a public charter school which practices project based learning.
The Perfect School
Is there such thing as the ‘Perfect School’? 9th grade students at High Tech High High Chula Vista explore this question as they dive head-first into an interdisciplinary project of humanities, physics and art. This is their handbook of Ohana High School, a collaborative perfect school.
M is for Maya
An alphabet book based on the Maya culture that was written, illustrated, and translated by the students of Ms. Riley’s Seventh Grade Class at High Tech Middle School. All money raised from book sales will go to sponsor students in Guatemala to attend school.
Birds of the San Diego River
Birds of the San Diego River The Birds of the San Diego River is a study by the senior students at Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High where project-based learning (PBL) is practiced. This project is a collaboration of Brandon Cohen, an environmental science teacher, and Blair Hatch, a multimedia teacher.
Seniors Squared 2012
Seniors for Seniors is a joint effort between High Tech High and Senior Community Centers that aims to connect two groups that are often very isolated from each other – senior citizens and high school seniors. We feel that students have a great deal to learn from our communities aging population…
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Human Body And Experience
How do our imaginations work? How do we heal? What is Deja Vu? How do our muscles grow? Why do we hiccup? There is a world of wonder and mystery inside all of us. In this book we answered the questions that most interested us about the human body and experience. We hope this book helps you unlock…
Social Edict: A Collection of Tenth Grade Manifestos
A collection of student manifestos and artwork from the High Tech High North County 10th grade Art/Humanities students of Eusebio Travis Sevilla and Molly Carroll.
Sea Creature Portraits
As San Diegans, the Pacific Ocean is our backyard! The ocean is our largest habitat and we have the responsibility to take care of it. This project was born from this belief. The sea animal portraits and stories in this book were written with the hope that its readers will be inspired to…