The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher
by Harry K. Wong, Rosemary T. Wong
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (2001)
list price: $29.95
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Reviews (141)

You can teach an old dog new tricks.
After teaching twenty three yearseven I enjoyed reading this book. The things that I do year after year needed a new edge. It was refreshing to get a new viewpoint and ideas to spice up my classroom management. Older teachersget in a rut and depend on what works and tend to do the same old thing year after year. Why fix it if it isn't broken mentality. A few afternoons with this book got me excited in trying new things and looking after what I have been doing in a different light.

A MUST!!
ABSOLUTELY A MUST HAVE!!! at least for someone new to the teaching profession.

GREAT RESOURCE!
VERY USER FRIENDLY!
EASY TO READ & FOLLOW!

I am a 30 something f/t mom, former business executive, who is changing careers.My kid's principal recommended this book & I'm so glad I took her advice. I am confident in the board room and/or training adults -- this book has given me the tools to be confident in the classroom with kids.

More of a scold than being helpful
This book is required reading for my pre-service training. I found it frustrating and irritating. First, Dr. Wong tells you that as a new teacher, you're going to make mistakes, and your mistakes will cause problems. Then he explains that if you stop making mistakes, you'll stop having problems.

No argument here, but most teachers are not Dr. Wong, and mistakes will happen in spite of the most dilligent application of his advice. This book would have been significantly more helpful if it discussed how to monitor your performance and stop making mistakes. ... Read more

Isbn: 0962936022
Sales Rank: 1730
Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Effective teaching    4. Teachers    5. Teaching    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    8. Training of    9. United States    10. Vocational guidance   

The Laughing Classroom: Everyone's Guide to Teaching With Humor and Play
by Diana Loomans, Karen Kolberg
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 August, 2002)
list price: $15.95 -- our price: $10.85
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Reviews (7)

The Laughing Classroom
This book is the best!It is a MUST for all teachers!It covers ways to really reach your students as well as keep your sanity.I cannot say enough... It is invaluable!Do not hesitate to purchase this incredible book.I cannot believe this is not mandatory to all educators!

Fun and Practical
I loved this book!There is so much talk today aboutdiscipline and consequences.It was great to hear about warmth and rapport in teaching.If you use these techniquese you'll find students are naturally more cooperative and positive.I like the practical approach---lots of ready to use ideas, and meant to be copied, pages.A wonderful side benefit is that it makes teaching more fun for the teacher too.

This Book Rocks
I met one of the authors at a conference a couple of years ago, and was enchanted with her style so I bought the book.It is wonderful!Great ideas and practical games that teach lessons with multiple target educational objectives.I'm a motivational speaker and a theatre teacher.Working with the kinesthetic learner is a challenge.These exercises help make learning fun! ... Read more

Isbn: 0915811995
Sales Rank: 8080
Subjects:  1. Classroom management    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Humor in education    5. Teacher-student relationships    6. Teaching    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - General   

Jump Starters : Quick Classroom Activities That Develop Self-Esteem, Creativity and Cooperation
by Linda Nason McElherne, Marjorie Lisovskis, Ken Vinton
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 January, 1999)
list price: $21.95 -- our price: $14.93
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Reviews (6)

Fun!
What a fresh and fun book this is! If you are looking for quick activities (fifteen to twenty minute periods) that will help your elementary students develop self-esteem, a cooperative attitude, life skills, as well as study and problem-solving skills, this is the book for you.

Divided into five sections, each one is filled with themes such as "Setting Goals," "Showing My Art and Soul," and "What's Important to Me." Each of the 52 themes begins with a pithy quote, and then describes five activities, each designed to last approximately fifteen or so minutes. (Although you could certainly extend the activity if you wish.) Included also are "Think About It, Talk About It" discussion starters as well as an affirmations. The author has thoughtfully included resources for students as well as teachers for each theme.

There are five categories of activities: writing, drawing, creative, music and movement, and activities that emphasize reaching out to others. (The various learning styles are well represented here.) The activities are imaginative, clever and easily implemented. Also included are 56 reproducibles. (The book cover has a lay-flat binding so that copying will not be difficult.)

Jump Starters is aptly titled. With a minimum of fuss, you can have your students engaged in meaningful and fun activities each day of the school year. This one is a definite "keeper."

Great book of activities for the teacher or parent
As a former elementary school teacher, mother of three children, scout leader and very involved parent at home and school I treasure my copy of Jump Starters!The lessons and activities are fun,meaningful and very easyto follow. I purchased a copy for each of my children's teachers as an endof the year gift.They were thrilled!This book truly encourages a childto think positively and to better understand and appreciate themselves andothers.

This book promotes important life skills through activities.
I would highly recommend this book for parents or educators. It provides many short creative thematic activities with clear easy directions to follow. These help develop valuable lessons for our children while makingthe entire learning experience fun. You will always find further resourcesif needed along with stimulatingquotes along the way. Geared for grades3-6. ... Read more

Isbn: 1575420503
Sales Rank: 39697
Subjects:  1. Cooperativeness    2. Curricula    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Educational Psychology    6. Elementary    7. Elementary School Social Sciences    8. Psychology    9. School children    10. Self-esteem    11. Study and teaching (Elementary    12. Study and teaching (Elementary)    13. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    14. Cooperation   

Teaching With Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom
by Jim Fay, David Funk
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 March, 1998)
list price: $17.95 -- our price: $12.21
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Reviews (16)

America and Classroom Logic
America has always been the largest of classrooms. Experiments come and go, as do sucess and hardships. But one thing stays central to survival: better days ahead, and resources that work. Any of the leadership America chooses who drifts from these basic premises will inevitably have a difficult time sellng the idea of America, to citizens or foreigners alike. Immigration politics that ignore the priorities of American families and gravitate toward speculative profits that dump American families into the ocean of oblivion are never worth the powder to blow them to hell since the cool light of scrutiny can reveal their flaws with effective leadership. Cowards are never leaders, and persons who disrespect the diversity of America will never succeed without arbitrary and oppressive collusion. America and its classrooms are vital to America's progress, and it is unobtainable without recognizing that fact. It can be done more easily or harder, but done it will be, and the quality of America and its beliefs are tied security to that anchor of reality, supported or not by American parents, corporations, friends and relatives. Losing sight of America's promise and obligation to deliver is the most dangerous path that could ever be taken to increase her weakness, and cripple her strength.

Clear, Applicable, Easy
I felt like I needed to write my own appraisal of Teaching With Love and Logic in order to offer an opposing opinion to those opinions written by two other reviewers.
One reviewer said this book was repetitive.This is true, but for an important reason: There are only a few basic Love and Logic® principles!What Teaching With Love and Logic does is take these few principles and show the reader how to apply them in various situations, differing environments and with a range of grade levels.
Another reviewer said that this book is overwhelming.The principles of L & L are simple to understand and even easier to apply.Teaching With Love and Logic will help teachers become stress-free and find more time and energy to focus on effective and rigorous teaching.
Can you imagine a classroom full of responsible, productive, and happy students who are in control of their own behavior?It is possible!Love and Logic® works!You can have fun teaching again! Becoming a Love and Logic® teacher is the best thing you can do for yourself and for your students. Teaching With Love and Logic is a powerful resource for any teacher.Check out the other Love and Logic® books, too!

Useful but overwhelming
Teaching with Love and Logic offers many wonderful tips to create a positive learning environment. However, the text is rather lengthy and tends to repeat itself. The length and organization of the text make it rather difficult to comprehend and absorb. Perhaps, reorganizing the text to be more succinct would make it easier to "put into action." ... Read more

Isbn: 0944634486
Sales Rank: 2228
Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Policy & Reform    4. Study Skills    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning   

The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child
by Ron Clark
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (14 May, 2003)
list price: $19.95
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Reviews (87)

Bad Advice
This book offers a short-sighted, self-involved set of "insights" about teaching. There is very little focus here on the most important person in the process - the learner. Mr. Clark may be a fine teacher but HIS WAY may not be authentic for many, perhaps most, teachers. Good teachers know that our work cannot be summed up in any precise list of must do's and a real educator would not even think to create such a list for others to follow. It's a shame that a publisher of educational resources didn't tune in to this - preferring instead to indulge this self-promoter and his limited, superficial ideas.

Excellent Advice for New and Veteran Teachers!
I highly recommend this book to both new teachers entering the workforce, and to those of us who have been around for a while.With wit and insight, Ron Clark reminds us that if we really want to motivate the students to learn, we have to connect with them, get them to respect us, and excite them.How do we do this? By modeling the exact behavior we expect, lots of praise and immediate consequences.Many of the rules are simply good manners, some deal with maintaining order in the classroom. Along with each rule, he includes anecdotes from his own experience- often funny, sometimes poignant. The ideas Mr. Clark puts forth are sound and DO work!Well done Mr. Clark- May you continue to touch the lives of children and teachers for many years to come!

I like, thought it wasn't so OK
I picked up the irritating audio version of this book: the author's voice sounds exactly, I mean *exactly*, like the teacher in South Park.I don't know if this was in print, but he also used the phrase "I like ...."(for example, 'I like thought it was a good rule') a million times. If I didn't know better I'd say a 13 year old wrote this. His tone and pace were literally manic throughout - too many of those sugary cookies?

The arrogance was astounding: typical newbie teacher that thinks he's the one that's going to make the difference in the lives of kids no other teacher was ever able to before.I have a junior in high school and like another reviewer, always pick up anything that may shed even a sliver of new light on how to help him be a better student. Not only was it for younger children, but there was virtually no suggestions on how to be a better academic student. Trained seal, yes, but not a better scoring student.

As was mentioned earlier, a lot of these 'rules' would not be allowed in our school.Peer pressure is greatly discouraged - teachers, in fact, are not allowed under any circumstances whatsoever to discipline the entire class for the misbehavior of one student.This may have stemmed from the suicides by 'perfect' students who received detention because of other kids or whose straight A's were downgraded because the whole class was punished.

Many of our friends send their children to private religious schools where rules similar to these are enforced. In each and every case, when the child went out into the world - where other people don't follow these rules - they have either gone wild or curled-up into themselves.Using peer pressure and making cookies are easy - taking the time to know and respond to each child's individual needs is not.He took the easy way out.

He also mentioned quite a few times how much of his own money (hundreds of dollars a month) he spends on some of these 'innovative' teachniques.I'd like to see a book on his current teaching style 10 years from now after he has a mortgage and kids of his own.

I think you have to be nominated to become a Disney teacher but I wonder how he knows the kids like him?It may have been peer pressure that made the whole class tell Disney how much they loved him.I hoped they clapped appropriately.Teachers like this goody two-shoes are what's at the heart of all our educational problems. ... Read more

Isbn: 1401300014
Sales Rank: 6502
Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Leadership    5. Teaching    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    7. Education / Leadership   

101 Ways to Make Your Classroom Special: Creating a Place Where Significance, Teamwork, and Spontaneity Can Sprout and Flourish
by James D. Sutton
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 April, 1999)
list price: $11.95 -- our price: $9.56
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Reviews (1)

Amazing book for New and Experienced Teachers!
This book is amazing and incredibly useful for teachers.It has a variety of ways to make your classroom unique and, as the title suggests, special.This book is easily read and can be used for wide ranges of classes. Concidering that the book is not subject specific, it deals with thechildren themselves.Chapter five in particular, "AccomplishingClasswork with a Flair", is useful for teachers wanting to focus onpositive reinforcement rather than negative.Many of the ideas can becombined and altered to any aged children.I have already used many of theideas given and there is a remarkable change in the students behavior.Themethods work!This book is a great buy for new and experienced teachers! ... Read more

Isbn: 1878878573
Sales Rank: 16284
Subjects:  1. Classroom environment    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Innovations    5. Elementary    6. Elementary Education    7. Teachers    8. Teaching    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - General   

Tnt Teaching: Over 200 Dynamite Ways to Make Your Classroom Come Alive (Free Spirited Classroom Series)
by Randy Moberg, Pamela Espeland
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 January, 1994)
list price: $19.95
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Reviews (2)

Not that great!!
I was not at all impressed with the contents. This book is geared more for the lower grades.

Dynamite Ideas!
Moberg's book is jam packed with practical ideas for use in the classroom no matter what grade level and what subject you are teaching.His ideas include new uses for your overhead projector and ways to use remote controlcars in the classroom!A must have for any teacher that is looking toengage students in learning that is FUN! ... Read more

Isbn: 0915793644
Sales Rank: 510761
Subjects:  1. Activity programs    2. Administration - General    3. Aids and devices    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Education, Elementary    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Teaching    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    11. United States   

Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul: Stories to Open the Hearts and Rekindle the Spirit of Educators
by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (11 April, 2002)
list price: $12.95 -- our price: $10.36
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Editorial Review

It's no secret that teachers are underpaid, overworked, and undervalued, and bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen have compiled Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul as both a tribute and encouragement to those who make a difference in the lives of their students. It's inspiration in bite-sized, manageable chunks. Under 11 different topical headings such as "A Day in the Life" and "Overcoming Obstacles," readers will discover motivating quotes ("Love first, teach second"), hilarious cartoons, and touching stories that combine to make this book a testimonial of thanks, sure to revitalize weary educators. Teachers, coaches, childcare professionals, and educators--from preschool to college, Sunday school to public school--will find in these pages a renewed passion for changing lives, and fresh vision to go the extra mile with every student. The essays are by turns entertaining, motivating, and funny, and most are deeply touching. Keep the Kleenex handy. --Cindy Crosby ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Something for the Heart.
I purchased this book after I felt led to go back to school to get my teaching certification. I was struggling with my decision and was looking for something to provide some hope and perhaps a little inspiration. CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE TEACHER'S SOUL gave me a little of that. The book is filled with all kinds of stories and ancedotes all having to do with teaching and education. Some are humorous and some are uplifting and a few are both. Since purchasing this book, I have learned that teaching is indeed a noble profession. However, it's nice to have this book around to help remind me of that every now and again when things get rough. Carpe diem.

Inspiring Educators and Learners alike - A Gem!
Long overdue "Chicken Soup" collection for teachers. Nearly 400 pages filled with dozens of heartwarming true stories from the "pages of teachers' memories" saturated with wonderful experiences. For anyone who is out there, making a difference everyday, or for those who admire the dedication of those who selflessly give to the millions of children whose lives they affect and forever change.

The joy of teaching, summed up by testimonials of a few. There are not enough books to contain all of the wonder, the magic, the laughter and tears; the many precious gifts of this field of work. "Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul" makes a successful attempt at capturing the essence. Further volumes are certain to follow. This is a five star gem!*****

My Teachers. My Friends
Teachers have always held a special place in my heart, from my first teachers in nursery school till the present day.This book is great for those who have had a special teacher in their lives, teachers who have been mentors and friends.Get this book, and even better, share it with that special teacher. ... Read more

Isbn: 1558749780
Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Ethical aspects    3. General    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. Moral and ethical aspects    7. Self-Help    8. Spiritual    9. Teachers    10. Teaching    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    12. Education / General   

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, 2nd edition
by Thomas Armstrong
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 May, 2000)
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Reviews (5)

A new view on how we learn
Did you know that a child who misbehaves in class is unconsciously telling you how he/she needs to approach learning? As a special education teacher and devotee of multiple intelligence theory, this book satisfied my thirst for knowledge on how to recognize and honor children for who they are, not simply who and what we want them to be. Armstrong covers MI theory not only in relation to learning academic subjects, but behavior, classroom management, and life in general. You will never look at education the same way!

Six New Windows into our Minds: Improving Classroom Learning
Have you considered restructuring your 2000-2001 teaching program or, if you are a school administrator, your entire school program around Dr. Howard Earl Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI)?If youanswered that important question in the affirmative, then ThomasArmstrong's "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 2nd Edition"is a must read.

In "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 2ndEdition", Armstrong reinforces Gardner's (1983) MI theory as aconfirmed classroom application.This revised and expanded book encouragesall types of teachers, be they special education teachers, regularclassroom teachers, or teachers of students identified as intellectuallyexceptional, to show a more holistic view that validates students for whothey truly are.

The 156 pages of this book outline innovative strategiesfor integrating an eighth intelligence, the naturalist, into aclassroom/school program.Moreover, Armstrong presents new outlooks,including three potential predicaments, about the possibility of a ninthintelligence--the existential--the intelligence of concern with ultimatelife issues and its potential.

Armstrong's insights for teaching andlearning, recent case studies and research on the effective uses of MItheory represents a welcomed update to his initial 1994 book of the sametitle.

Armstrong is to be commended for his comprehensive comments onnurturing students' intelligence strengths.He suggests practicalstrategies for reducing or (even possibly) eliminating achievement gapsbetween all types of learners.Moreover, he provides (those busy)classroom teachers and school administrators with new insights fordeveloping a MI learning environment.This 2000 revised book is anecessary read for all who are interested in MI forms of schooling.

A Life-Changing Experience
Reading Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom literally changed my life, by allowing me to recognize my learning strengths and then to embrace them.We all have different degrees of many intelligences, making us unique inour learning styles and abilities.If every educator could be required toread this book, I know it would at least begin to change the face ofeducation in America.This book can change your life! ... Read more

Isbn: 0871203766
Sales Rank: 15606
Subjects:  1. Cognitive styles    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Psychology    5. Learning    6. Multiple intelligences    7. Teaching    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning