Teacher Training Books

When we moved from Colorado to Minnesota, I found I had to take several hundred dollars worth of Praxis tests to keep my license. (We're teachers, not lawyers--it's not like we get paid enough to justify these prices.) It has been several years since I did my teacher prep, and a couple of decades since I took most of my undergrad social studies classes. So I decided I'd get some review guides. I read all the reviews on Amazon, and chose to go with these official guides. I wish I'd kept my money and spent it on something else.

Specifically, I wish I'd bought the Cliff's guides. The biggest difference is in the content and format of the books. The ETS books tell you what subjects will be covered and tell you to go out and find resources on those subjects. The Cliff's guides actually put the recommended study content in the book, so you don't have to go out and find other study resources. I didn't find the Cliff's guides until the day of the test, though. Boy, was I peeved!

As one previous reviewer remarked, this test is heavily weighted toward economics. I think that's interesting, as most high schools don't teach economics--it's not a class required for high school graduation. The history and government classes that ARE required receive short shrift on this test. So be sure you review your econ notes!

In case you're wondering, I passed in spite of this book.

This booklet is prepared by the makers of the exam, and it was very helpful in directing my studying. I tried to sort it into major and minor topics, and studied from various sources -- much of it online sources. I had no idea what topics/details to study...and this was an indispensable resource. I spoke to others on the testing day, and they too ordered this content study guide and viewed it as helpful. This was useful as a secondary aid to the essay exam also. I didn't purchase the essay study guide, only the content study guide. Hope this was helpful.

This book is very basic, and contrary to what I thought when I purchased it, it is not a review, but simply an outline of concepts. I have found it helpful as a starting point and used the outline to narrow down my search through all of my old college textbooks and lecture notes, as well as review books for each subject covered on the test. To be honest, there is no good review for this test, but this at least helps you narrow down the immense content. The test in the back was helpful in that at least it familiarized me with the Praxis format and test questions. I found this book to be more thorough (at least in listing the content) that its Cliff's Notes counterpart, but it does not give you the information, you have to find it somewhere else. This is quite literally a study guide, not a review of the content.

The Praxis II is an intimidating exam. It is more difficult than the study guides let on; however, this book offers a reasonable overview. I would use it as a place to start, but NOT exclusively. Start with one of the many study guides out there (borrow one from the library for free) then move on to finding a good overview book in each catagory...geography, poli sci. etc. The study guide tests (this and other praxis II study guides) also serve as a way to test which areas need additional review. Good luck!!

I recently took the Praxis II Secondary Social Studies test in late April of 2008, and found this study guide to be of central importance to my ability to go into the test feeling like I had done as much meaningful prep as was possible given the time I had to study.

In the month prior to taking the test, I did some online research (including reading these reviews about THIS study guide), and came away not particularly impressed that I would need the guide. I bought several books and created study regimens for myself on world and us history, psychology, economics, geography etc. that are included in the test. However, after nearly 3 weeks of studying, I realized that the spectrum of possible subject topics was just too overwhelming, and that I needed help to refine what I was going to spend my time on. This particular subject test covers so much stuff, why would you leave it to your own assumptions or guesswork which topics, prominent figures, or general ideas you would look to learn rather than get a simple, comprehensive list of what you should study. I found, for instance, in the psychology/sociology section, I simply researched every person or idea they had listed through google and wikipedia - and I scored a perfect 13 our of 13 on that particular section. Had I not had that list, I would have likely studied twice as much for not as much return on my studying investment. Moreover, the study guide included some rather specific ideas that in my B.A. and M.A. of political science would not have thought to include in my study of psychology - I consider that valuable information.

Having said that, this is not a comprehensive study guide. You will get general ideas and names that you are left to go gather info on. It is just as easy to google a name and search wikipedia than it is to read it from in a book. I think people are somewhat misguided to expect ETS to literally hand them a complete answer sheet to the test they need to make an effort to learn the information for in order to pass.

That is what this study guide is for - to help you prevent studying things that are not going to be on the test - and help you concentrate your efforts on the areas that are included to help you score better. In that regard, I am 100% satisfied that I purchased this study guide.

If you're like me, you are going into teaching to do as good as you can. So you can be a stingy know-it-all and save your $20, but I think the time and effort this guide will save you is well worth the money, and difficult to think of doing without.

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."

This book is by far my favorite book on the subject. I would recommend it to anyone starting out in their teaching career. Don't be put off by the "dummies" title.

This book is very easy to read and written in an informal style, but manages to provide great tips and information to make teaching a lot easier. I haven't started teaching yet, but this book has served to warn me about some problems and experiences I may encounter. It doesn't go over what they teach you in education courses, like lesson planning and educational psychology, but it does tell you things like what to do if you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of your class and gives management, organizational, and networking tips to help you avoid having to reinvent the wheel in some areas. Overall, a good read that I found hard to put down, because it was entertaining, helpful, and oh-so-true.

I really liked this book. I was an easy read, very helpful, and humorous! I was hesitant at first because it's written by a high school teacher, and I am elementary. However, his advice, tips, and warnings apply to ALL grade levels. This book skips the educational theories, and dives right into the important things that rookies really want to know: setting up your classroom for the 1st day; getting to know parents; how to deal with your administrators; and keeping your kids under control, among many other topics. The author includes many anecdotes from his teaching career. This book is excellent; I definitely recommend!

This book is one of the best I have read on being a teacher. I am a new teacher, but have been in the classroom for 10 years. The author has a very good insight on what it is all about, from dealing with the kids, the never ending responsibilities of being in charge of a classroom and dealing with the adults involved. W. Michael Kelley has a fantastic sense of humor and gives so many inspiring examples of how to make teaching fun, not only for the teacher but for the students as well. I highly recommend this book to rookie teachers as well as veteran teachers who feel they need to revamp their teaching styles and methods.

I am in the stages of deciding whether teaching would be a good career change for myself. Michael Kelley's book has really helped me get a clear picture of what to expect in the world of teaching. It is very easy to read and fun too -- he has a wonderful sense of humor and has some great antidotes. I highly recommend this book. This one will be going in my "to keep" pile as I have highlighted quite a few passages worth remembering.

The greatest! If you are in need of "how to" build a strong professional devlopment program and then the how and why to evaluate! I bought two, one to keep, and one to give away to all the folks I was trying to convince as to "how to".

This book is an extension of the dialectic conscious process applied to staff 'developement'. A diverse group of people dialoging to conscious, over a social issue in a facilitated meeting to a predetermined outcome. This Socialist process is dominating current educational practices. Use extreem caution.

Dr. Guskey gives us clear, concise research on a topic that has long been neglected-professional development practices that work. This book offers clear direction to practitioners who want to increase the effectiveness of professional development and improve student learning. Should be required reading for everyone involved in changing what educators do by changing what they know.

A simplistic book with enough content to help learners prepare for the ESOL Praxis exam. Use it as a guide to gain an understanding of the types of questions to prepare for on the test.

This product is not worth the money. Praxis simply took what was on their website (including the SAME practice test) and put it into book form. Praxis was simply trying to make more money off of teachers.

This product seemed helpful for the PRAXIS II exam, with many similar questions to the actual test. We will see how effective it is when
I get my score next month! There is a helpful CD as well.

Great study guide for those who intend on taking this test. Very good feedback on the back pages directing you to the areas of weakness, so you know exactly what you need to review more of!

This guide really helped me study for the ESOL Praxis exam -- and pass it. I studied 6 weeks, using the guide, before I took the actual test. I found the practice test in the study guide an invaluable tool. I took the practice test 5 or 6 times and each time, I scored higher. Although there were only 1 or 2 questions from the study guide on the actual test, I would highly recommend buying the guide. I did an Internet search on all the different parts of the test and structured my study around those areas. Since I've never taken a course in linguistics, that was my weakest point. The listening part of the test was really difficult for me. The CD that comes with the guide is a good representation of what to expect from the listening part of the Praxis. The way the listening part of the actual test is given does not afford you enough time. Actually the time that is given is not structured well. I think the Praxis folks need to work on a better presentation of the listening part of the test. Since it had been years since I'd filled-in a bubble sheet, the one in the study guide was helpful! I think the study guide built up my self confidence. At least I had a good idea of what to expect on the test!