Teacher Training Books

I am a successful veteran teacher, and every summer I still revisit this book to get motivated for the new school year ahead. I had the pleasure of watching the entire video series of Mr. Wong, and so perhaps I can appreciate the book more than others who have not. Both are thoughtful, and I have gained many tips. I find his information particularly helpful at the middle school level, where classroom procedures must be crystal clear. I have read a lot, still haven't found the "perfect" teacher book - but this is as good as it gets!

This is a very interesting and helpful book for beginning teachers, or teachers who wish they ran a more effective classroom. This book is full of practical tips that you can implement right now, and is written in a very user-friendly format with lots of graphics and main ideas in bold. This is a great book.

An excellent book, Harry K. Wong's The First Days of School changed my teaching style forever. It changed my life!

If this volume is assigned, as it was in my case, our opinion doesn't matter. I find Highlights Magazine for children to be a more penetrating look at ANYTHING than this revenue generator. Good luck, sorry if you, too were required to buy it.

...outdated, very few useful ideas, centered around elementary education, and an absurd tone of cheerfulness mixed with condescension.

When I was a new teacher I really hoped this book would prepare me for running a smooth classroom but it just steered my thinking in the wrong direction and ultimately it probably did more harm than good.

This books "popularity" is simply due to the fact that it is a fad book within administrative circles. This is because Wong goes out of his way to argue that teachers who criticize inservice and professional development activities are just bad teachers.

If you are a teacher who is looking for some innovative methods for the classroom, this is your book. The methodology that pulses at the heart of this guide will undoubtably transform the lives of your students. Purchase a copy of Mrs. G's "secret sauce" today, and, as Mrs. G puts it, "Teach one to teach another"!

I have been using the Freedom Writers Diary for eight years in my class. Students love this book. I teach at risk kids who struggle reading and getting them to read any book is a major achievement. The Teachers Guide helps teachers: use the Diary, introduce other books and create a sense of family in your class in the order of Room 203. You will find that this book will become worn out from use.

The Freedom Writers Diary is an incredible book for teenagers to read, and this book will help any teacher use the FWD to motivate and inspire students. The Teacher's Guide contains practical activities that tie into the book but can also be used independently. Several of the activities, such as the Line Game and the Toast for Change, were featured in the Freedom Writers movie. All of the activities are tied to NCTE standards, and they are all ready to use. This book will help educators teach reading and vocabulary skills, but it will also help them reach their students. The Freedom Writers Diary is an incredibly powerful book for teens, and the Freedom Writers Teacher's Guide is the best teacher's guide I've ever used.

This study guide was an excellent way to prepare for both the content and format of the Praxis PLT. I used it for Grades 7-12 and had no trouble passing it. I have not taken any college level education courses in over 20 years, so the information in this guide was crucial for me in reviewing current issues and "buzz" words in education today. I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to prepare for the Praxis PLT.

Easy to read and VERY INFORMATIVE. I wish I would have know about this book earlier.

I purchased this study guide after reading several of the reviews. I am too impressed with the overall quality of this book. It provides preview tests and practice tests for Early Childhood, K-6, 5-9 and 7-12. I began studying three months before the test and used one other reference text book; Effective Teaching Methods by Gary D. Borich. I passed both the Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and the Content Area Exercise on the first try. Now on to student teaching--Yeah!!

Very thorough overview of what will be on the PLT and excellent outlines of the information that will be tested. This book eliminates the need to go through textbooks from other classes to look up information, which saves time and effort.

This book is definitely the one to get! This book has TWO practice tests for each test, whereas the ETS book only has ONE test. This book also reviews important concepts and explains them clearly and in an organized fashion. Highly recommend!! The ETS book is not as helpful.

I followed all the advaice in the book and did poorly. I would have been better served using the CBEST on-line practice tests.

"Cracking the CBEST" book is an excellent source of material. It explains in great detail how to solve the problems of reading, mathematics, and writing. Though the methods of cracking the problems are simple, it gave me confidence that under stress of test taking I can succeed because the solutions do not bombard you with over explanations. Everything is simply laid out and I felt that I didn't have to guess for the answers because the solutions teaches you how to approach each problem. I felt confident taking the two tests at the end of the book and even scored better on the second test! For someone who suffers from test anxiety, I feel confident taking the CBEST test next week because now I have the tools and the positive attitude to follow through. And that's no easy task for me! I say buy this book because you will not regret it.

This book completely prepared me for the CBEST. The tips on how to tackle the questions were right on the mark. If you do the essay's how they tell you to do them, you will pass the first time! I did exactly what they said and followed the book to a "t". Worked like a charm. I hope they offer cset books but I don't see any right now.

I took my CBEST test this weekend and this book helped provide me with tips to be prepared for the test. It also helped ease my anxiety. I was worried about the essay section and by reading through the essay examples, it showed me that the essay grading standard is not as bad as I thought it would be.

Two things made this study guide worth the purchase price. #1. I got the big picture of what I would be tested on. I was able to see what kind of questions I'd be asked and identify my weak areas for brush-up study and review. #2. I used the full-length practice exams to study for the real test. I passed by a wide margin.

Using this book for a grad. course on collaboration and consultation. So far, the information it's provided seems to be quite valuable.

I do not know how I got two books ordered unless it was when I was trying to do the free book offer you had. I was denied credit however. Maybe this is how it happened. I was unhappy that I had to pay shipping on the book I had to send back. I do not need two of the same book. The book is very helpful for the class I am taking I will want to keep it for reference in the future.

Arlene

Much of the same information repeated throughout the chapters. Also would like to see chapters shifted around. didn't think the order was appropriate or logical.

I bought this book as a requirement for a class, but am finding it easy to read and full of useful information.

This book does make some important points about teaming, but is generally a waste of time and money. It is filled with common sense information, and each chapter can be easily summarized in a few short sentences.

The school I began teaching out is a small, rural high school that has no mentoring program. In lieu of such a program, the principal gave each of us new teachers 101 "ANSWERS" FOR NEW TEACHERS AND THEIR MENTORS which we read through and discussed together during our first year on the job. The book is a combination self-help/encouragement book. The 101 "answers" in the book are basically just tips for teachers who are starting out in their careers. The sections in the book are divided up into six categories: classroom management, planning, instruction, professionalism, motivation and rapport, and a teacher's influence. Most of the "answers" are words of encouragement. Overall the book is directed more towards elementary teachers than secondary teachers. Some of the situations and advice given just aren't applicable with high school students. I did find a few of the tips in the classroom management and planning section to be useful, such as giving students productive bellwork to work on at the beginning of class. However, tips like these that I actually found helpful, are only a handful of the 101 "answers." Most of the "answers" have to do with things like reminding yourself why you went into education, treat everyone you meet with respect, you are making a difference, and Rah! Rah! Rah! Go Team! Go!, you can make it after all. Overall, this is just an average advice and encouragement book directed more towards elementary teachers than those at the middle school and secondary level.

We have purchased this book for the last three years for all of our new teachers. In addition we are purchasing it this year for every mentor in our district. It is an excellent resource for new teachers as they experience the range of situations presented to them in their teaching environment as rookies. It is a practial resource for mentors and a reminder of their importance. Many of the practial tips are used in our induction program and as conversation topics at monthly support meetings. In my opinion, this book is a must have for every teacher!

This is one of the best books I could have ever bought. I am a student teacher right now and I learned a variety of strategies just from reading this book. It makes you want to just go out and conquor the classroom. I would reccommend any teacher, or prospective teachers to buy this book! It is wonderful. Thank you Ms. Breaux!

Hands down, the best book for teachers on the market. Very practical and extremely user-friendly. I ordered a copy for all of my teachers - not just the new ones and mentors. The `Answers' in this book are for EVERYONE.

I like this book because I feel it is very important for all teachers, whether or not they are mentors or beginners, to remember what it is like to be a new teacher. I think that everyone can benefit from being reminded how to act appropriately with their students and their fellow teachers. The tips presented in the book are easily accessible and easily implemented.

I have also had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Breaux speak and was very impressed. She speaks like she writes!

I purchased a book for every teacher. Their responses have been very positive. It has renewed the spirit of the veteran teachers and has provided another learning tool for the new teachers. Thanks to Annette Breaux for this common sense book!

This book is concise and well organized. It is inspirational no matter what the age of your students.

Heather Hanson, D.D.S.
Dental Practice Management Consultant
Former Junior School Teacher

I bought this book as my daughter has just started teaching and I love the philosophy in it. We have been using it in our school in Australia and it guides the way we teach and communicate.

FISH! A REMARKABLE WAY TO BOOST MORALE AND IMPROVE
RESULTS by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen
has become one of my favorite business books . . . so when I saw
that the principles have been applied to education in a book, SCHOOLS OF
FISH! by Philip Strand, Christensen
and Andy Halper, I knew that it was something that I had to read.

And am I ever glad that I did, in that it inspired me with its ideas and
techniques for better classroom management . . . though all the
many examples were from grades K-12 situations, I do believe that
they could be related to any level of education--up through and
including graduate school.

One quote from the book says it all: "We're very serious about
learning; play is just how we feel while we're doing it."

It got me thinking about the fact that education should be more
fun . . . for the teacher, as well as the student . . . you don't
have to be a rocket scientist to make this happen . . . just utilize
some of the methods that have worked for others, apply them to
your situation, and you'll be all set.

There were several memorable passages; among the ones that
I especially liked were these:

* That duality also transfers to adult relationships. As daily pressures
compete for our attention, it's amazing how people can seem rude
or, equally, how simple gestures stand out. For example, a certain
principal never answers his phone when talking with a visitor. "It
will ring and the other person will say, "It's OK if you get that," he
explains. "I tell them, `No, you're more important to me right now.'
They're always surprised," Why? Possibly because it's such a
powerful statement of respect and commitment.

* When it came to dealing with parents, Puntenney wanted to make sure
she not only called home to discuss problems, but also to congratulate
students. She sent good-news postcards home, and sometimes she
just called parents to tell them about their child's success.

"Some parents were in disbelief when I called," she says. "They
said things like, `Are you sure you have the right student?' One
said, `Nobody from school has ever called with good news before!
Thank you."

* At Avon Intermediate School, there's room at the table for everybody.

"Recently I bought furniture for the staff dining room--four tables with
four chairs for each table," says principal Scott Raftery. "The next day,
when I came in the dining room, the teachers had pushed all the tables
together to create one huge table so they could eat like a big family."

The above is just basic stuff, but it works . . . if you're looking for the ideal
gift for any teacher (past, present or future), then you won't go wrong
buying SCHOOLS OF FISH!

I happened across this book completely by chance in a bookstore. I was looking for new ideas for my elementary classroom. I remember thinking that the title seemed funny. Once I picked it up though, I was literally hooked (pardon the pun)! I couldn't put it down, and it has inspired a great many new ideas for me to use in the classroom. The advice and examples are so practical and inspiratioal. As a philosophy, it is a perfect fit for the classroom setting. It intends to make school what it should be... a place we all enjoy going and spending time.

This is not a book of ice breakers or social games, but true reflective activities to do with your staff or educational group. Very useful and practical.

This is an excellent book for educators, whether classroom teachers or professors such as myself. I use it constantly as a reference and include it in online learning environments as well.

This book was not quite what I expected. Silly me, I had expected something about how protocols would lead directly to school or academic improvement. Instead, this is a book about how to run reflective teachers' meetings in schools. The book presents about four dozen "starting points" for teacher in-service trainers, and ways to "run" the conversation(s). It really was not bad, but I had a hard time seeing why the authors used the word "power" in the title.

I suppose this sort of thinking has some place in American education. I had a hard time seeing exactly how this would lead to "better practice," however, or why a teacher in-service educator would pick a particular protocol over another, because most of the protocols seemed roughly similar.

Using the protocols in this volume do lead to better practice.

Several years ago, I attended a series of training sessions conducted by the authors on using protocols in professional development situations and experienced the "power of protocols" first-hand. Since then, I have used them or variations in several ways that have lead to powerful insights for all involved. Most recently, in a graduate education course in technology use, my students (prospective or practicing teachers earning a Master's degree) used a modified version of the Tuning Protocol to give and receive feedback on their final projects. All the students commented on the contrast to typical final presentation sessions, and how this experience made them better listeners as presenters and audience members. We also used the Provocative Prompts protocol as a final class activity.

I've used these protocols in working with teachers and administrators in schools. These protocols give people structured opportunties to talk, and to listen -- especially useful in situations of inherently unequal power, such as in meetings with a principal or district-level administator and teachers.

This is an excellent addition to your library if you are a facilitator of any kind (principal, teacher educator, lead teacher, etc.) and is a good companion book to David Allen, Tina Blythe, and Barbara Schieffelin Powell's book "Looking Together At Student Work."

Very informative for the first year literacy coach. Great tips for working with administrators and teachers. Easy to read. I highly reccomend it.

I have just completed my first year as a Literacy Coach. I had an opportunity to read Cathy Toll's book this summer. It really gave insight to the role and responsibilities of a literacy coach. The book serves as an excellent resource.

I picked up this book as soon as it was published and I needed to hear what Cathy A. Toll had to say. Her advice was practical and her information invaluable as I worked through my first year as a coach.