Reviews (50)

"Poverty" Misunderstood.
Let me start off by mentioning all the positive elements of this work (of which there are not many). In the beginning, the author shares accurate Census figures about poverty along with insight that it is a relative condition which applies to all races and creeds. She also recommends that educators should teach and strengthen rather than praise and condemn. From here, however, the work slips into the abyss. A Great Start
I work in a large middle school which hit the 50% level of students in poverty a few years ago. The majority of our poverty students are white, while the number of African-American students is less than 5%.The percent of Hispanic students in poverty in our school/community is growing.Ruby Payne's description of students and families in poverty fits our school to a large degree.Our entire corporation has been exposed to her materials, we've had Ruby as a guest presenter and our entire middle school staff has studied her book. We continue to incorporate much of what her materials recommend.We are having good success with this endeavor, and like anything in education, it is a work in progress.
A Must Read for any...
This is a must read for all teachers, pastors, doctors, lawyers,who deal with various social levels and just about anyone else who feels they can't understand why poor people are poor and stay that way generation after generation.
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Subjects:  1. Classroom Management    2. Education    3. Education / Educational Psychology    4. Multicultural Education    5. Social Science / Sociology / General    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    7. Children's Studies    8. Current Events    9. Educational Psychology    10. Poor    11. Poverty    12. Social Science    13. Sociology - General    14. United States   

Reviews (1)

Student view of research
I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to study this book. It is extremely well wtitten, has explicit examples and provides a menu of wonderful supplimentary materials. Johnson and Christensen have reached the perfect meld of professional presentation and comprehensible material. Not only that, they are accessible for further elaboration. With the purchase of this book, the reader has a combination of knowledge and dedication to the education of research. It's one of the best Ihave come across in two years of doctoral level classes! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Research    4. Research    5. Social Sciences Research    6. Education / Testing & Measurement   

Reviews (2)

Reading Specialist
This is a very helpful book for ESL Kindergarteners!I have all the Words Their Way books and have used them at every grade level in my elementary school.

A MUST for K-2 teachers.
Like the other Words their Way materials, this volume continues the wonderful tradition of combining excellent teaching ideas with theblack line masters so you can use the strategies immediately.This level is especially appropriate for students learning letter/sound relationships.It gives dozens of poems and stories which have sorts to support teaching them.There are old faithfuls such as "It's raining, it's pouring" to new poems that teach phonemic awareness, rhyming, visual discrimination and sight words. My favorite is the alphabet printed in several different fonts so students can learn all the ways 'A' might look. I wish I had this 21 years ago when I started teaching.I use it daily now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. English Etymology    4. English Phonetics    5. English language    6. Language Experience Approach    7. Orthography and spelling    8. Phonetic method    9. Reading    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    11. Word recognition    12. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    13. English    14. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (1)

What works in Schools
I have been a classroom teacher for 25 years. In that time, I have seen many trends in educational philosophy. Finally, Marzano has written a book that addresses research based methods of instruction that actually are proven to increase student achievement. He addresses three key areas: School-Level Factors, Teacher-Level Factors, Student-Level Factors, and a section on how to implement these factors into classoom instruction. Marzano states,"Thirty-five years of research provides remarkably clear guidance as to the steps schools can take to be highly effective in enhancing student achievement."I have found that the researched based information that Marzano provides about each of these key areas to be invaluable in the instruction of our students. This book is a must read for all serious educators. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Administration - General    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Research    6. School improvement programs    7. Teaching    8. Teaching of specific groups   

Reviews (1)

Best around
I teach a research class at the Unversity of Arizona and have reviewed just about every book on the market in the area.This is the best all around book for an introduction into research. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Psychology    4. Educational Research    5. Research    6. Education / Research    7. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (2)

At last--A Synthesis on Leadership That Models Great Leadership!
Robert Marzano and his colleagues translate the knowledge base on effective school leadership into a clear and precise format applicable to 21st century schools.It is a great gift to both successfuil veterans and aspiring leaders.Students and the nation are better off for this work.Education professors and school board members will use Marzano's meta-analysis to understand and articulate the qualities we need in today's leaders.

Leadership Behavior to Promote Student Academic Achievement
In this book, Robert Marzano, the most effective force in educational reform today, continues his efforts to promote excellence in schools.Here, he and his colleagues turn their attention to defining school leadership behaviors and actions that raise student achievement.They blend practical advice and research to come up with specific steps that school leaders can take to see that students improve academically.
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Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational leadership    5. Leadership    6. School management and organization   

Reviews (2)

Leading research on socio-emotional development of gifted
The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children. What Do We Know? Edited by Maureen Niehart, Sally M. Reis, Nancy M. Robinson, Sidney M. Moon, A Publication of the National Association of Gifted Children, Washington, D.C.: Prufrock Press, Inc., 2002 Must-read for every gifted parent, teacher, & professional!
The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children assembles terrific team of well-respected professionals in gifted, and compiles a great set of essays on the social and emotional aspects of growing up gifted in today's world, complete with the research references to back up thier facts.Authors including Neihart, Rogers, Gross, Silverman, Reis, Robinson, and more... the contributors read like a who's who of gifted education today.Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - General    2. Education / Special Education / Gifted    3. Education / Teaching    4. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Development    5. Reference    6. Sociology    7. Special Education - Gifted    8. Developmental - Child    9. Education Of Exceptional Children    10. Emotional intelligence    11. Psychological aspects    12. Psychology   

Reviews (3)

I hate this book.
This is the worst textbook I have ever bought for any class!It is a huge waste of money and super frustrating to read.This book is horribly written.The explanations are boring, drawn out, and unclear.The early chapters draaaag on forever.The later chapters get a little better, but they state a lot of obvious or useless information.I have spent hours and weeks studying from this text and learned very little.

Quite possibly, the driest text book ever written.
Used for my Measurement & Evaluation class for my MSEd. program, I've already convinced the professor to find a new book for his next group of students.The book has inadequate explanations - all too open ended for my taste, dry writing, and hard to decipher language.It says so much, while saying nothing at all!As if the field of assessment and testing wasn't dry enough, along comes Linn, ready to make it even worse.There has got to be a better book!Needless to say, I relied on the i-net for supplementary information to our class lectures.I did not crack this book once beyond the intro chapter!

I never want to see this book again!
This book was used for an assessment class I took at TN Techological University. I'm sure the authors did not mean to, but the book is very dry and hard to read at times. However it gets easier the farther along you get. The sections with sample test questions were useful. Everyone in my class complained about this book. Our instructor used notes and powerpoints from other texts to supplement. I definately do not recommend this title. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Tests And Measurements (Higher Education)    4. Educational tests and measurem    5. Educational tests and measurements    6. Testing & Measurement    7. Education / Testing & Measurement    8. Examinations & assessment   

Reviews (1)

Not Really An Integration
Each well-known separately in educational circles--McTighe as one of the developers of UbD and Tomlinson as the guru of differentiated instruction--they have come together to write a book that is an attempt to meld their philosophies.In that, they are at best partially successful.
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Subjects:  1. Curriculum planning    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Psychology    5. Learning    6. Research    7. Teaching    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - General   

Reviews (3)

Good Perspective
We used this book in our doctoral level Urban Education class this semester. Very informative.

Really difficult to read, but it was a requirement!
Such a difficult book to read.It felt as if the authors had 2 chapters of concrete evidence and then took these 2 chapters and tried to expand them to fill an entire book.I felt as if I was having deja-vu throughout my entire reading of it.Some topics that I thought had been clarified again kept popping up and restasted the same idea in a couple pages worth. Excellent tool for a touchy topic
I've used this book teaching 10 classes in Multicultural Education for California State University at Hayward.It covers some "hot spots" like gender, special education, race, and social class.I'venever had a student who expressed dislike for the book.It provokesdissent, emotions, and great discussions but maintains a well researchedand professional style.I would recommend it to any professor ofmulticultural education and I eagerly await the 4th edition, coming thisJuly! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aims & Objectives    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. General    5. Multicultural Education    6. Education / Aims & Objectives    7. Education / General    8. Educational equalization    9. Philosophy of education   

Reviews (6)

Hands-On Writing Tools for Young Writers
I enjoyed this book.It gave some very practical advice on creating a workshop environment for writing in the Intermediate grades.I have used the ideas (modified) with younger writers and they are equally as beneficial.
Mini-Lessons helped me improve my test scores
Fabulous book that I discovered last fall.I used many of the mini-lessons in the text and found my writing test scores went up tremendously.Great ideas and easy to prepare lessons.My students loved the poems and plays that were designed to help the students recall different writing skills.

WANT TO RAISE YOUR STATE ASSESSMENT WRITING SCORES?
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!94% OF MY SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS MET OR EXCEEDED THE A.I.M.S. WRITING STATE ASSESSMENT THIS YEAR AFTER USING THIS BOOK! DID I MENTION MY SCHOOL IS A TITLE ONE SCHOOL?MORE THAN THAT WAS THE WRITING THAT MY STUDENTS PRODUCED.THEY USED ONOMATOPOEIA, STRONG VERBS, SIMILES, TAKE-AWAY ENDINGS.MY STUDENTS BECAME AUTHORS AND WERE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE WAY THEY COULD WRITE.THIS BOOK MAKES WRITING FUN FOR THE KIDS AND THE TEACHER.THE FIVE-MINUTE PLAYS WERE A HIT TOO!THE LISTS THAT THE KIDS COULD REFER BACK TO FOR STRONG VERBS, JUICY-COLORS, TRANSITIONAL PHRASES, ETC.MADE WRITING A BREEZE.KIDS HAVE AMAZING IDEAS---THEY JUST HAVE TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO GET THEM ON PAPER.BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!I HIGHLY RECOMMEND "GRAMMAR WITH A GIGGLE" TOO."GRAMMAR WITH A GIGGLE" GIVES KIDS EXCELLENT VOCABULARY TO USE IN THEIR STORIES AND TEACHES GRAMMAR IN A FUN WAY. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition and exercises    2. Education    3. Education / Elementary    4. Education / Teaching    5. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities    6. English language    7. Language Experience Approach    8. Language arts (Elementary)    9. Study and teaching (Elementary    10. Study and teaching (Elementary)    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    12. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    13. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    14. Elementary    15. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities   

Reviews (2)

Everything I needed for the CTEL
This text admirably addresses the CTEL exam.Pop for the third edition; it's worth it.And if it were up to me, this book's sections on immigration law, history, and diversity would be required reading for any educator.

A Great Resource Book
I purchased this book for a college class and it was mostly review from other classes. However, I found the book easy to read and very informative.This single book covered about 4 or 5 other books from different courses.If you are a beginning teacher that wants to be able to teach to all of your students, than this book is a must.This great book covers SDAIE teaching and just other great concepts.If you have never taken a multilinguial course than this is money well spent.If you have had a number of those types of classes, than I would look for a book more catered to what you need.This is book is a great introductory book.Most students that I had in class kept the book as reference material and that says a lot because we use book money to live on until finicial aide comes in, LOL. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bilingual Education    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. General    5. ELT: teaching theory & methods    6. Education / Bilingual Education    7. Industrial or vocational training   

Reviews (1)

Great Help for Frazzled Teachers!
This book has many useful,practical ideas for effectively using literacy workstations.My school year has started so smoothly because of the things I learned from this book.I highly recommend it to anyone new to workstations, and even to veteran teachers for a fresh perspective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classroom learning centers    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Group work in education    5. Language Experience Approach    6. Language arts (Elementary)    7. Professional Development    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading   

Reviews (1)

Very Good, Easy Reading Book for Teachers Who Want to Learn More About English Language Learners
I thought this book was very good for classroom teachers who want clear information on how to include English Language Learners in their classrooms.It is very difficult to explain to classroom teachers how to include students who are learning English in short sound bites.This book helps clarify information and teachers can read it at their leisure.
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Subjects:  1. Bilingual Education    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. English as a Second Language    5. English language    6. Foreign speakers    7. Language and education    8. Linguistic minorities    9. Special Education - General    10. Study and teaching    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    12. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    13. United States   

Reviews (9)

A Fine Introduction to the Field
Contrary to some of the other reviews on this page, I found the book to be a helpful and very readable itroduction to the field of educational psychology.No, it is not a definitive and cutting edge expert treatise, but that is not its purpose.It is introducing first year students to the major theories and ideas that have historically shaped educational psychology, and it does so very concisely and thoroughly.Just like an Introduction to Christian History text is not going to delve into the finer points of Crossan's theories about Jesus' death, or a first year Calculus text is not going to stress the use of set theory and formal proofs, so this book serves its purpose best by giving a broad, yet thorough introduction to a very interestig field without confusing students with unecessary details.If you are looking to dive into educational psychology and need a helpful introduction to help guide you, this is a great place to start.Recommended.

Nonplussed by criticisms.
It is notable that the critics of this title have failed to indicate a text that they consider superior. Woolfolk's text is so broad in its scope that the accusation of bias is difficult to sustain. In any case, would be educators would willingly accept recommendations on more up-to-date texts.

Badly dated - be afraid when educators defend this book.
Woolfolk's book reflects educational psychology ca. 1975. She cynically - and selectively - cites references that are much more recent to give this the gloss of being current, but don't be taken in.Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Psychology    5. General   

Editorial Review

In a time when educators and politicians in the United States are fumbling for a fix--from vouchers to smaller class sizes--for ailing public schools, it's refreshing to read the more sophisticated take on what can be done to improve American education found in Read more

Reviews (12)

Do The Easy Things First!
American middle-school and high-school pupils continually lag their peers in other developed countries - especially in mathematics - despite years of decreasing class size, building ornate new structures, "new" math, etc.However, these efforts are bound to fail if what goes on inside the classrooms is poorly structured.
It may not be correct, but...
After reading the book and the previous posters, even if the Japanese mathematics classes were not representative of the education system as a whole, the implications of this study and the ideas that the authors came up with are what we should be focusing on.
Interesting for a Education Student
I am in a program to become a High School math teacher. Our professor recommended this book. I found it to be pretty interesting. The authors do a detailed analysis of a video study from the TIMSS study. Their analysis compares how math is taught in the US, Germany and Japan. Their conclusion is that the US approach focuses on teaching terms and procedures where as the other countries emphasize understanding concepts. They go onto to propose a system of "lesson planning" to improve teaching in the US. Lesson planning calls for teachers to work in teams and develop a single lesson plan (maybe one per semester). The process of developing the lesson plan and refining it imparts to the teachers involved a kind of "best practices" that they can then use in their everyday planning. I am not sure if this is practical, but it sure sounds reasonable to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Education    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Policy & Reform    5. Educational Reform    6. Germany    7. Japan    8. Mathematics    9. Study and teaching    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Mathematics    12. United States    13. Central government policies    14. Education / General    15. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (1)

Three Minute Classroom Walk-Through
An effective guide for pinpointing effective classroom instruction.This book also outlines specific strategies for engaging teachers in reflective dialogue that could enhance classroom instruction.A must read for administrators. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Classroom Management    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Observation (Educational metho    6. Observation (Educational method)    7. Reflection (Philosophy)    8. School supervision    9. Teacher-principal relationship    10. Teacher-principal relationships    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    12. Education / Administration    13. Organization & management of education    14. Teaching skills & techniques   

Reviews (3)

Great for Professional Book Study with Teachers!
I used this book to guide a book study with elementary teachers in a school where I was the principal.All teachers in the study were reading Marzano's Classroom Instruction that works and a couple of us had a copy of this book to bring in additional information and activities to enhance our study. Both books present the "cut to the chase" version of research that many teachers appreciate because of their busy schedules.The books present strategies that have been proven repeatedly to be effective and professionals who have looked carefully at Marzano's work know that it is scholarly work.He has, however, tried to present it in a very down to earth fashion.No high brow research jargon here.Teachers appreciated and learned from the study and the structure and additional information this guide brought to our work together was an significant factor.

Simplstic
Do you like magazine surveys about how effective your marriage is, or if you exercise frequently enough?This book has one for each chapter (rate yourself 1-4), AND has worksheets like the ones you did in grade school as you work to explore "novel" techniques in education!There have to be more thought provoking monographs about the application of research in the classroom.Sanitized statistics, silly stories, a frighteningly short list of references and text that probably does not read beyond the 6th grade level disturbs me.Does Mr. Marzano think that all educators are semi-literate morons?His ideas are not new in the science classroom, and most ideas he covers are reiterations of something old for me. I was required to use this book and its sister textbook for a GRADUATE LEVEL education course.I would recommend NEITHER.

Trite and repetitive
Don't waste your time on this book - there is very little material of any use here.Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Effective teaching    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Learning    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    8. United States   

Subjects:  1. Action research in education    2. Cognitive learning    3. Education    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Literacy    6. Reading Skills    7. Reading comprehension    8. Research    9. Cognition & cognitive psychology    10. English    11. English language: reading skills    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Literacy    13. Language learning: specific skills    14. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (79)

An easy-to-read book on getting people (or pets) to change
This little book explains reinforcement using examples that make it really clear how eight different methods of behavior modification work.It is a consumer's guide to behavior modification using reinforcement.
Staple book for teachers, trainers, coaches, everyone.
Want to know how to know how to teach anyone anything. Buy this book.

Great book
is an excellent book for anyone that wants to learn how to communicate with your dog. i loved it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Conditioned response    4. Feedback (Psychology)    5. Personal Growth - Success    6. Reference - General    7. Reinforcement (Psychology)    8. Self-Help    9. Training    10. Educational psychology    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help / Success