Teacher Training Books

I read this Elementary Language Arts manual prior to taking the CSET when it first came out in 2005. I was able to pass all sections of the CSET in one setting due to the excellent advice in this manual regarding timing for each subtest. This book provided an excellent overview on linguistics and literacy instruction.

The mutltiple choice questions were easy on the test after reviewing with this book...the written selections were very difficult...and this book did not prepare the student enough.

This is a well-written, informative book on preparing for the CSET Multiple Subjects. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that it has a couple of sections on the entire test and then focuses entirely on the Language Arts subtest. I really wish they would finish the book and cover ALL the subtests! But, for the Language Arts stuff -- it's great!

Ralph is a dynamic speaker and writer. This book helps teachersof all ages and subjects to tackle the complicated issues ofwriting. He is able to engage the reader with humor and wit, something technical books ever do. I read this book in a day! Another wonderful piece by him is: What A Writer Needs.

This book is truly inspirational. Coleen Armstrong is my hero. Her ideas about teaching all make sense, and she gives really honest opinions about the job. She also describes some very innovative ideas concerning education reform.

The thing that scared me the most, though, is how she says teachers are forced to "forget bathroom breaks." I really hope she was exagerating on that one!

Written by Coleen Armstrong, a high school teacher of thirty-one years' experience, The Truth About Teaching: What I Wish the Veterans Had Told Me lives up to its title and then some. Chapters cover five main topics - the profession and its politics, the money, the nuts and bolts, creative lesson plans, and discipline. Written in a format that states fundamental if under-circulated truths and helpful hints prospective teachers know in all capitals, followed by a few paragraphs of explanation for each insight, The Truth About Teaching is easy-to-follow and utterly absorbing reading for non-teachers as well as current and prospective teachers. "Intersperse specific student names when teaching a lesson that could otherwise descend into dullness. 'And, Hayley, wouldn't you love to know how the days of the week got their names?' Be sure to spread the love, so no one feels excessively singled out. And keep smiling, so no one who's been daydreaming thinks he's in trouble." Highly recommended.