Education Teaching Books

After studying this text almost religiously for over a month prior to the AP exam, and scoring 4's and 5's on the practice exams, I was shocked when I discovered to have gotten a 3 on the exam. Not a 4, or 5, just a mediocre 3. This book is inadequate at best in preparing students for the type of questions and essays that appear on the real thing. Rather than focusing on the topics that are most likely to be covered, it is seemingly just a mass of text - I would deem it a better text book replacement than an actual study supplement.

I took the 2008 AP World History exam. To prepare for the test, I read Kaplan's, Barron's, and Princeton Review's AP World History test prep books. Of the three, Barron's has the lengthiest history review. Pretty much the entire book is history review. The review is really detailed, and actually seems more of a textbook than a test prep book. In addition to lengthy reviews, this book also summarizes each time period, breaking it down into sections, such as gender role or political structure, really well. The sample tests don't reflect the actual AP World History exam questions at all. The practice questions in this book are more context questions than conceptual questions. This book does an even worst job to prepare you for the essays. If you have several weeks before the test, you may want to consider this book for its lengthy review. I just got my grade, a 5.

This book contains a brief overview
about world history from every culture.
I highly recommend it!

Understanding by design was recommended to me by one of my teachers. This book helped me understand how to approach lesson planning. Backwards design is an excellent way to design curriculum. The templates are very helpful, and almost mindless even. You just have to know what your goals are, and the templates help you do the rest.
I think they should come up with a computer program to make it even easier, but hey, writing is good practice. I rated it four stars, because I haven't found some of the information int he back too helpful- of course I haven't thoroughly read it. I guess it's there for something, but I'm a stickler for not including unnecessary information.

Clear user friendly guide for effective use of UbD for planning.
Understanding by Design: Professional Development Workbook

This book not only provides clear examples of the work that it supplements, it is effective for planning beyond lessons alone. It enables one to plan for school wide or system level comprehensive approaches. An excellent application of the "Begin With the End in Mind" as advocated by Stephen Covey's work.

I have used this resource again and again when working with teachers who are either just starting out with unit design in a UbD framework, as well as with those who are quite familiar with the model. The templates and other tools are user-friendly and make the application of UbD much more straightforward than using the original text alone.

This book complements in practical form the ideas presented in Understanding by Design (UbD). I am using this book as a guide for the design of courses online in higher education. Both have been a wonderful aid to rationalize the amount of resources that I must include in the courses online that I am developing. They are effective tools to determine in concise form and practices the synchronous or asynchronous activities that must make the learners as it demonstrates the intentions reached from the "big idea". I recommend them widely to obtain the deep learning.

This is the book you need for creating and maintaining a solid and authentic classroom literacy program. "The First Twenty Days" alone is extreemely helpful. You can start small and grow as you feel comfortable. A little overwhelming at times but worth it!

Excellent resource. Everything needed to start a reading/writing/word study workshop. My book is full of sticky notes of things to use!

Definitely one of the most useful and comprehensive reading and writing resources that I have ever purchased for my professional library. The price is very reasonable as well!

This book has helped me tremendously with my new job as a teacher. Going to school did not prepare me as much as this book has.

Every teacher who teaches grades 3-6 should own this book. It has practical mini-lessons, rationale for teaching comprehension strategies and additional resources. If you don't already own it, you should get your hands on a copy.

When the professor tells you to buy a book, you do it. What else can I say? It met my needs. I just wish that these books were less expensive.

i didn't like the lab manual too much.. but anyone who is trying to buy this.. LOOK UP THE 8th ED.!! almost the same thing for less
ISBN # 0-8053-7249-0

I got the book in 3 business days in brand new condition, thank you. The only thing that I have noticed after getting my purchase and comparing it to my other class mate's books that the human skeleton atlas was missing. But that's OK, now. Otherwise as always, Amazon delivers!

Thank you, I recieved my book quick and in excellent conditions with any extras that came with it.

Dr. Mel Levine has worked for a long time with children so that they could grow up feeling responsible, successful and with good self esteem. He has spent a great deal of time working with experts in many disciplines in order to understand how children learn and how to help them if they are struggling.

He has broken learning into several areas of input, processing, storage, retrieval and output. Parents and educators can use this information to understand where a child may be having problems and then use ideas from his book to help turn things around for the child/student.

What the book does let us know is that learning is not easy but more like rocket science, in that it is a combination of innate abilities and deficits of the child, and the abilities of the adults to work with the abilities and help remediate the deficits through a combination of interventions and accommodations. There is also no quick turn around, since the educational demands change over time with new areas of difficulty recognized with the increased demands.

In this book you realize that there is really no such thing as dumb, that all brains work differently. It helps focus on the REAL issues of learning, instead of lumping your understanding into ADHD or some other category. You should read it!

Dr. Levine's book, A Mind at a Time, is so comprehensive that it is challenging to pare it down to a few essential ideas. He begins by telling the reader why he is "a pediatrician with a mission". He endeavors to accurately describe the struggles of unsuccessful children, to explain the brain's working and dysfunctions which we all experience and see in others, and to provide a "road map" for parents and teachers to knowledgeably observe their children's cognitive development. This observation by a trained eye allows for early detection of breakdowns in learning as well as necessary identification of a child's cognitive strengths, overall assets, and consuming passions. Interestingly, research into problematic learning is also a study of all learning, and how the brain is supposed to function. Only when we are equipped with accurate information regarding a child's diverse kind of mind can we begin to explain why they are struggling and how they can best conquer or compensate for these challenges. It is vital that this knowledge be openly shared with young developing minds so that they know from the start that they are not what they feared, but rather free to grow stronger given the knowledge and help they need to succeed.

Dr. Levine's text covers an overview of the ways of learning, and how lifestyle choices can help or hurt an individual's learning styles. He then goes on to detail the eight neurodevelopmental systems, chapter by chapter: the Attention Control System, the Memory System, the Language System, the Spatial Ordering System, the Sequential Ordering System, the Motor System, the Higher Thinking System, and the Social Thinking System. These systems develop at diverse paces, but must be utilized to grow strong and to stay strong. Although complex and detailed, this book is written in terms a layperson can understand with some thoughtful reading and perhaps a little rereading.

Chapter 10 is devoted to helping the educator or parent pinpoint the areas of breakdown based on evidence from past productivity, behaviors, and learning difficulties. Dr. Levine has divided these areas of breakdown into particular profiles based upon recurring patterns that occur with particular types of brain wiring. He explains each profile, giving case studies to better illustrate what may be typical of each profile. He also details different emotional mindsets that can interfere with a child's achieving his or her potential, and provides strategies to overcome those negative behaviors. Finally, he addresses the benefits and possible detriment of testing, and the outcomes in adulthood.

Dr. Levine adds several additional chapters to provide even more tools for working with different kinds of minds. He discusses the management of a profile, which is broken down into stages: demystification, accommodations, interventions at the breakdown points, strengthening strengths and affinities, protection from humiliation, and using professional therapies. He devotes a whole chapter to provide parents with best methods for nurturing these children at home. He also devotes a chapter to the teacher's role and what types of policies are practiced in "a humane school".

I especially appreciate Dr. Levine's kind heart, which is evident throughout this book. He encourages parents and educators who know a child with a brain that is not meeting necessary demands not to give up on that child, and don't allow them to give up on themselves either. He reminds us that our minds are not stagnant, but come into their own with time. School is the hardest thing that many of these kids are ever going to have to face, because it focuses so intensely on particular skills, such as math and language, while devaluing other important skills, such as interpersonal abilities and creativity. He also reminds us that report cards are notoriously poor predictors of a child's potential. Throughout the numerous case studies, Dr. Levine is an encourager, an empowering force, the voice of hope and predictor of success. His position, experience, and knowledge of current research lend weight to his optimistic determination. Later, at the end of each chapter detailing the neurodevelopmental systems, Dr. Levine lists strategies, a tool box of helpful, practical information to help students, their teachers, and their parents in ways that are immediate and useful. He considers these children to be heroes and heroines, distinctively different in their learning styles, but valiantly courageous in their ability to cope, their resilience, and their will to overcome.

Dr. Levine has covered his topic completely, with every avenue of possibility addressed appropriately and in the most humble, helpful manner. I have worked with a developmental pediatrician who trained under Dr. Levine, and I can say without any hesitation, if I was younger, I would jump at the chance to train under Dr. Levine myself.

Thank you Dr. Levine for this instruction manual about the mind!!! I have read this book several times already and learn something new each time I read it. I continue to use it as a reference for when I am stumped about either my own behavior or a child's behavior.

This book clearly defines how different minds learn and process the vast amounts of information encountered on a daily basis in school and in everyday life. The author is clearly at the top of his field and can very easily communicate his findings in a way that is easy to comprehend, extremely informative and interesting to read.

As a teacher of autistic children, this book is invaluable. It is written in language that is easy for my students to understand and follow the directions..... I would be lost with it.

I received this book for Christmas to add to my autism library and what a wonderful treat. I wish I had this books several years ago when I started working in a class with children who have severe autism. It's so basic and has such great sample charts. It breaks down so many behavior challenges and creates simple charts to help you help your students better understand how to self modulate...from Aspergers to severe, these tools work. They seem so basic, yet I have seen them work great over and over. This basic and easy to quickly read resource should be given to every teacher, parent, administrator, speech and occupational therapist who works with kids on the spectrum. It's a great starting point for managing behavior problems...big and small. Check out Ms. Buron's other related books also at www.asperger.net. Joanna Keating-Velasco, Author...
A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism

This book has been very helpful with my Asperger son and my non-Asperger son. As a teachers aide, I have used it the the kids at school and some teachers have borrowed my book and are using it themselves. It has pages to copy so that you can make your own 5-point scale. Just wonderful!!!

You can make this work for just about any problem. I now just hold up a finger and my child knows what I am trying to say even my younger child is getting it.

Finally, a basic book listing basic skills for people who do not understand "thinking outside the box." I'm so happy to see something that can help educators and families find hands-on techniques for those who are clueless, hopeless, and helpless.

This a pretty good very thick book. It really is like a book with a curriculum it has mostly everything you need. It really takes the guess work out what to teach them before they go to school. Some of things included were: opposites, rhyming, colors, shapes, matching, one to one, and writing/tracing. I think any kid would like it.

I purchased this book to work with my 3 year old on preparing her for preschool and it's really great, we go over the alphabet, shapes, colors and tracing letters daily, also opposites and other writing development activities, in just a few lessons I noticed she was already making strides in recognizing the letters, picking out opposites and ryming words. Excellent and well worth the money if you are a stay at home Mom like me, (or even if you aren't) it's a great activity to work on daily with your child.

The book i received was not the one previewed but i do like the one we got.

I bought this book for my 3 year old- she loves it- it is easy for her to understand. I would have given this book 5 stars but, when it has you trace words it is all in small letters and most everything I read says to teach your kids capital letters first and then introduce small letters. That is my only complaint though!

As others have said, it's massive. It has tons and tons of activity worksheets that are easily ripped out. My son is homeschooling and for difficult areas, I can remove one of these worksheets, copy it and have him work on it several times until he is ready to move on. He loves tracing, so I removed a few of these pages and copied them. He can now use them over and over for practice and fun. I am VERY impressed with this and recommend it to anyone.

This book could be half as long as it is if the authors would simply leave the good, hard facts and remove the touchy-feely stories of their own experience. A little anecdote can spice things up, but too many drown this book in unrelated experience.

That being said, this is a good comprehensive resource for ESL teachers. I used it to prepare for my Praxis II exam and was pleased. I would have liked to see at least one chapter dedicated to the different accepted ESL methodologies (Communicative, Silent Way, Suggestopedia, etc).

I have recommended this book to friends.

I am currently taking an ESL strategies and assessments course, and I have found this book absolutely helpful. Both for the person who is learning how to work with ESOL students, and for current teachers seeking strategies to incorporate into their classroom. The book contains specific classroom examples to use to enhance your ability to work with, and assess second language learners. There are several opportunities contained in the book for learning activities the students love to do, and will absolutely utilize. The strategies are clear and precise.
I had to purchase this book for my class, but this is a keeper, and I will enter it into my library.

This book has been like a bible for my role as an English Language Literacy Coach in the professional development of teachers. The concepts presented are all research based and up to date and the authors give very specific examples of strategies that can be implemented in classrooms right away. We did a chapter study (Chapter Four on Oral Language Development) as a grade level team, right after receiving the book. We were very impressed with the activities that were suggested and the connections we made with things we were already doing. We also loved the companion website that goes with this book that gives resources and activities relating to each chapter. This book is highly recommended for K-12 teachers who have English Language Learners in their classrooms.

This book covers it all! I will definitely keep it on my shelf and refer back to it for ideas.

This item is very resourceful! I needed it for my online course and it was certainly an easy read. :)

This one is just, excellent, may I say GRE maths for dummies!!!, having trouble with quantitative section...this is for you

I strongly feel that some of the reviews of this book posted here are too harsh. Judging from a few of the comments, it seems that some might expect this to prepare them for the GRE Math Subject Test - which is very different from this book's intention, which is to prepare one for the math section of the General Test. The level of difficulty of the problems is not too hard - if you're looking to score a 800, this may not be the book for you - but it's perfect for those of us struggling to get over the 650 mark. The practice problems, for the most part, realistically resemble what one might encounter on the acutal test, and there are only a few GRE-tested math subjects that don't appear in this book. In just over a week of studying primarily with this book, I went from practice tests in the mid-600's range to a 720 on the actual test, so it definitely seemed to be a good investment.

Don't waste your time and money buying this book! It wasn't helpful at all! I found that Baaron's Math part is really comprehensive and educative. This book is very easy and has nothing to do with real GRE exam. I would also recommend to subscribe for some internet quiz to do better on actual test. Good luck everyone!

I thought this would be a complete math review but it doesn't even go through the probabilities and the questions are way easier than the actual tests. If you have no knowledge of the math part it would work but if you are looking for high math score this is definitely not enough.

If you're looking for a book to prep you for the quantitative section of the GRE, this workbook by Kaplan is not a comprehensive prep book. I personally found Barron's to be the best guide in helping me with the Math section of the GRE. I bought this book thinking it would a good practice book, but I found it to be average and the practice questions are much easier than the questions I found on the actual GRE.

Really helped prepare for the AP exam. The practice tests are key. They really get you a good feel for the exam. Princeton Review does a great job.

This book will easily get anyone who really understands it a 5 on the exam, especially if you can score well on the practice tests in the back. It's better for review, rather than learning. If you want an AP book that you can learn from, I suggest using 5 Steps to a 5. I never really understood electromagnetic induction or nuclear physics from my textbook, and this book was even worse for that, but 5 Steps to a 5 cleared up all my issues with those topics in about an hour. I think that this book is way better for review, though, mostly because the questions they ask at the end of each chapter are better and help your understanding of the concepts.

Don't be discouraged if you don't score well on the practice tests in the back, because the actual AP exam is much more conceptual and less calculation-based. But if you can do the Princeton Review tests, you'll have no problem with the real one. It's not overly difficult though, so don't let that discourage you from buying it.

Overall, this definitely gets a 5/5 for its explanations and for being so concise and on target regarding information the exam will test you on.