Teaching Books

I needed this book for class. It was cheap and came on time in really good condition.

This book is well written, well organized, and has an easy-to-follow layout. It also is full of charts, tables, and illustrations in a colorful format. It stays open by itself. Most people will only buy this book if it is a required book for a course, but even so, it is better than most textbooks in its design, and an easy read for those who must have it. I wish all textbooks were like this one!

Exactly what I needed in school. Good information for the Foundations of Reading MTEL. Won't be used afterwards.

the book was in excellent condition and was very fast shipping. thanks for doing business!

THE BOOK WAS EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME. I NEEDED IT FOR AN EDUCATION CLASS,BUT I PLAN ON KEEPING IT FOR A RESOURCE BOOK!

Learning by Doing should be the consummate staff development guide for all schools. Creating a common language, the right language, about PLC's is what needs to happen to get all of the arrows going in the right direction in any educational environment on any initiative. I look forward to implementing it with my new school!

Professional Learning Communities are the big buzz currently. Does your school district have professional learning communities? Have you wondered where to start? Have you wondered how your professional learning communities are doing? If you've wondered about any of those, then this is the book for you.

Learning by Doing is a great handbook for administrators and teachers to use as they implement professional learning communities in their school. This handbook gives an overview of the different components of the professional learning community process. As schools implement the professional learning community process this handbook is also a useful tool to assist in self reflection and evaluation.

As a school is developing professional learning communities, this handbook is a great resource to use through the process. It begins by giving advice on how to clarify the purpose of professional learning communities, how to build collaborative teams, and how to establish team norms. The collaborative foundation is essential to the success of the professional learning communities. The professional learning communities must collaborate in order to increase student achievement.

The handbook also shares information about how to collect data, how to use the data to improve results, and how to implement interventions in order to improve student achievement. These components help the professional learning community develop strategies to help each individual learner in their classroom. Schools must develop and support a pyramid of interventions in order to meet the students' needs.

This handbook includes many useful reproducible handouts and continuums which help analyze the progress of each professional learning community. The continuums are great conversation starters for the professional learning communities to use to evaluate their progress. This handbook can help your school improve the PLC process through self reflection and evaluation.

If you are looking for tools to help your Professional Learning Communities improve, this book is for you.

If you want to learn an entirely new set of buzz words, this is the book for you! It is not enough that we have RTI's, IEP's, IDEA, SLP's and the beloved NEA. We need PLC's as well! And we also need to (drumroll please) LEARN BY DOING! That's a new one, I always thought that teachers were supposed to learn by not doing!

What was most remarkable about this book was the utter lack of usable content. While it does an excellent imitation of Charlie Brown's teacher (indecipherable blah, blah, blahs), it says absolutely nothing new. It is uncanny, the book is utterly devoid of originality or new information. Just a plodding restatement of old ideas wrapped in new jargon.

Yet when another reviewer pointed out the obvious, that the emperor was in fact stark naked, he was immediately attacked by the true believers. I in no way wish to deny those who love fads and jargons from their periodic "fix" of meaningless initials and empty slogans. But could you please stop forcing it onto your fellow educators?

This book is a must read for any administrator or potential administrator that is looking for new ways to improve their schools. Very practical and flexible with many scenarios and worksheets that can help you to determine where your school is and how to get it where you want it to go.

Excellent Book!! Extremely valuable resource for schools that are working toward a true Professional Learning Community. Easy to read and very practical.

In "A Series of Unfortunate Events," Count Olaf (dressed as Stephano the assistant) replies to the question "Are you good with children?" by saying, "Children are strange and foreign to me. . .I never really was one . . .but I understand that they are an important part of the ecosystem." This book is the antidote to that attitude. Holt analyzes the classroom situation--in detail--taking care to think of the children, where they are coming from, decoding their emotions, understanding their fears. If you care at all about nurturing children and giving them every opportunity to learn, this book is essential.

Having studied education and seen first hand the detrimental affect teacher-centered classes have on a child's potential, I have to say it's refreshing to read a THINKING person's view on pedagogy in the 20th century. Sadly, I'm not sure we've improved much in the close to 50 years since this book/journal was written. Though the journal thoughts in the first part of the book show the direction Holt's thinking is leaning, the section on "Real Learning" is where the real gems are to be found. In fact, it has spurred me on to purchase "How Children Learn" as my preference is to approach education positively and constructively. This is a definite classic and I think new educators as well as old should be encouraged to read it and use to rethink their approach to teaching.

After spending a year volunteering weekly in my sons class and then reading this book I found that what the author observed was exactly what I too saw in the classroom. If you've never spent alot of time in a classroom you would find many things in this book hard to believe. The sad truth of the matter is that it's all true. This book provides a wonderful insight into the classroom, but it is hard to get through. This is the sort of book that will put you to sleep if you aren't fully alert, but if you can get through it you will be glad you did.

Another exceptionally good book from John Holt. A real eye opener and an insight into the ways little knowledge on the part of the educator and negative learning atmosphere could really mess up a person for life. Almost 20 years out of school and I am still afraid of anything math. I could definitely recognize myself in his descriptions of children and the tricks they use to "get the right answer". This book is an easy read as well. I borrowed it from the library and as soon as it was finished, I bought most of his other books right away. Very highly recommended book and author.

All the years I've been "against" public school, they were for reasons I'd researched, or came from my own bad experiences and those of my child, and other reasons I just "felt" inside but couldn't explain... I'd certainly built a case for myself as to what was wrong with the whole environment. But I still had never seen or imagined what Mr Holt saw through the eyes of a teacher (yet I could relate it to my entire experience at public school and knew he was speaking the truth). As I read his book it just filled in so many of the vague holes I'd felt as to why I didn't like public school but couldn't explain why. What invaluable insight into what really goes on! It was truly a turning point in my resolve to homeschool. I wish I'd read this years earlier.

Good book for beginners...I am a nurse and my daughter is starting school for her Associate towards her nursing degree...good book.

I'm an interpreter and this book is being very exciting to read, easy to carry around and easy to understand. It has graphics, and tests is a very good book.

Great book. Easy to understand and programmed text creates a good way of reinforcing what is learned. I have bought copies for all of my office staff and they find it very helpful.

The only medical terms I knew, before I got this book, were from "House" the Tv show. I didn't even understand much of it then. I can't wait to go back and watch it over and understand what they are saying.

This book is very useful in learning helpful medical terminology. It is easy to use and has helpful quizes at the end of each chapter.

This textbook is very well written and insightful in the areas of supervision in leadership in schools. It is apparent that the Authors took great care in the design and compilation of the book. I am more than halfway through it and the ideas and scenarios are true to life and very inspiring.

Excellent text with 21st century solutions to managing and guiding effective leaders in schools today.

The book is pretty good. I only got it for a class. It seems to really uphold democratic ideals, and talks a lot about moulding students to also uphold them.

Very easy to read. Very practical knowledge. The author's bias or opinion tends to wear through frequently, but easily digestible information for a textbook.

This text provides insightful and hands-on material for the prospective educational administrator. The book will challenge the reader to lead with vision, dismissing perceptions of old of the autocratic supervisor. Instead, the reader with an open mind will be inspired to lead with conviction, incorporating the ideal of collaborating with fellow professionals to improve student learning through improved instruction and assessment. With its end-of-the-chapter practicioner reflection and varied exercises, this text provides a personal and practical mean by which the reader will be able to relate, reflect and practice thier newfound ideas and perceptions for school leadership.

This book was a requirement for my language acquisition course for an upper level class and it was horrible. I had previously taken a class in linguistics at another university and if I hadn't kept that textbook to use as a reference I would have been at a lost. It does not go into much detail and doesn't have very good examples or scenarios of real life cases. If you are getting this book for your own interest, DONT. If you are a professor who is teaching a class for future teachers of ELL, ELD, ESL, or whatever other type of language acquisition class... there has to be a better book out there, don't torture your students please!

The book arrived in excellent shape like I expected. I am very pleased with the produce.

Ugh....while this book is extremely accessible, the best parts of it are the cartoons and they're not that great. This book is required for my course and while I'm interested in theory, I'm not interested in the nitty gritty details that this book tends to list.

...for the study of second language acquisition. Brief and concise, easy and quick read.

I have used this book in undergraduate Introduction to Language Learning and Language Teaching courses, as well as in a graduate seminar on language acquistion theory.

As previous reviewers have noted, Lightbown and Spada provide an easy-to-read and accessible text. The third edition expands on the second, and includes more recent variations on several of the language acquisition theories presented in the second edition (I've also used the second edition).

Unfortunately, it is missing some of the current and exciting work that is being done in usage-based theory and discourse analysis, and therefore will become more of a historical review of language acquisition theories as time goes on.

By itself it isn't enough for an entire course, either for language acquisition or teaching methodology. However, L&S deftly connect the dots with regard to how theories drive the thinking behind pedagogy.
I would recommend this book, in addition to other texts and course materials, to anyone teaching in a language teacher training program.

After surviving a miserable childhood in Ireland and making his way to New York City as a young man, Frank McCourt shares anecdotes about his next 30 years -- teaching high school and community college English classes.

McCourt's somewhat unconventional teaching style, he readily admits, didn't reach everyone or even succeed as often as he would have liked. Yet many of his classes, filled with students from poverty-stricken and hopeless homes, found real enthusiasm and understanding through such lessons as writing excuse notes for their own teachers, for setting recipes to music, and setting up impromptu ethnic feasts in the park.

As no section of any person's life can possibly be extricated from all others, readers will find some familiar tidbits first mentioned in AA and 'Tis. This is, in my opinion, just light enough to establish familiarity with previous material; it is certainly not a recycling of the first two books.

As always, McCourt is honest and humorous, giving readers a glimpse into the world that was and is uniquely his.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know there is a GREAT event coming up almost a week away in New York City. The American Place Theatre's Festival: Literature to Life is performing a theatrical adaptation of TEACHER MAN by Frank McCourt on September 21st, 2008. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to see this moving piece of literature come to life. Here's the information and can't wait to see you there!

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I don't believe there can be much more to be said about the Charms of Frank McCourt. Even when he is divulging his shortcomings, his wit and bare-knuckled honesty draw you in.

"Teacher Man" is, to me, quite different than his previous two works, but completely enjoyable down to the last tale. I think it makes a great gift to every teacher who has ever struggled with their profession and the demise of their idealistic vision. It stands out as a shining beacon that you don't have to be "perfect" to make a life changing difference in the lives of a student.

A fellow teacher and friend recommended this book to me; I had never heard of it previously, surprisingly. I knew I would like it just by looking at the cover and first few pages: Frank McCourt's sense of humor and finesse with teaching really shows through with two photographs there especially. He takes the reader easily through the span of his teaching career with a string of hilarious anecdotes and shares invaluable, yet typical, insight along the way. McCourt really refreshed my sense of what teaching was, is , and can be along with putting teaching situations and education in perspective. As a teacher of high school Language Arts, I often wonder whether or not it's me, the kids, or both. Whether he intends to or not, McCourt reassures educators like me that educating youth is an ongoing, if not sometimes stifling, doubting, and frustrating struggle. Kids have always been kids, so to speak, and the best teachers have always been just that too. A true reality check for public school systems in a time of No Child Left Behind. It does a stunning and long-lasting job of reminding us that making kids think is what we yearn for and that, sometimes, we realize that yearning, in spite of ourselves. Thanks Mr. McCourt for revitalizing a part of me that had been a bit bogged down!

I am puzzled by this book. The first paragraph stated McCourt's pride over having made something of himself after a terrible childhood. He then proceeds to tell the story of his teaching as part of this. He admits himself that he felt like a fraud much of the time. I can see why! Most of the anecdotes cover stories of his childhood and he admits to not having control over the students. (He seems to waver between intense pride and self loathing.) Although I enjoyed many of his anecdotes(the assignments to write a suicide note, a excuse note to God from Eve, and reading recipes to music), I spent a lot of time wondering how he could have been a wonderful teacher and had kids flocking to the classroom. I must assume that there is something key to McCourt's charming classroom manner that he left out.

As I haven't taken the English language AP exam yet (i'm a high-school junior), I don't know how effective this workbook is compared to the difficulty of the test, but I looked through it and started working on it a little, and it's very neat (and thin)..

The book was basically helpful though it wasn't enough in and of itself to get me a five.
Pros:
It made me feel more comfortable and got me used to the organization and structure of the exam, as it was jam-packed with "strategies." It also had a practice test with real past exam questions.
Cons:
Students should read this book with previous knowledge of most of these subjects. It teaches you how to approach the questions and how to answer the questions they give, but it still leaves you drawing a blank on the actual exam questions which you've never seen before.

I got a 5 on the exam, but I did outside preparation.

Conclusion: Good as a source, but not as the only studying vehicle.

I used this book this summer in a prep course our district has designed to give students a boost going into AP Language and Composition as their first AP course. I found Part III, the comprehensive review, to be most helpful in preparing students to use the skills needed for analysis, argument, and synthesis. AP exam multiple-choice questions are easy to find, but I like that this book offers something more: a comprehensive overview of the essays and the literary/rhetorical terms and a clear outline of the body of knowledge needed to approach the exam successfully. I also trust Murphy and Rankin as experienced AP teachers and exam readers. My students were not bored, and went into their AP courses feeling confident.

This is a great resource to utilize for implementing a balance literacy program in your classroom.

I love how Regie Routman balances passion with dedication and inspires enthusiasm for even the most mundane routines. She understands that a happy teacher is a good teacher, and is one of the few who encourages educators to have a personal life and share important parts of themselves with students. "Reading Essentials" is not just a practical guide to literacy education: it's a call for teachers to fall in love with reading and inspire the same passion in their students. The children I've taught have learned to become authentic, purposeful, and enthusiastic readers in large part because of Regie Routman's ideas and strategies.

This is an awesome resource for beginning or student teachers and helps with the basics. Very clear, simple and direct.

Great!One of the best books on reading instruction ever! Easy to read, and very well organized,full of practical tips,and lots of student examples. Enjoy!

This is unquestionably the best "how-to" book on teaching reading that I have come across. It is written from the standpoint of a classroom teacher, but there are plenty of essential ideas for homeschoolers, too. One way or another it covers every (as far as I can see) important point, and I agree with most of them. The best chapter is #8, Teaching Comprehension, where the first sidebar says "Teach Comprehension Right from the Start." Cool!

Routman moves most of the academic material to the end of the book, where there are many endnotes with references to research articles and a hefty index.

So what's not to like? The text is more of a collection of ideas and tips rather than an evolving education in teaching literacy (which I would love to see Routman take on). The many entry points to the text material (sidebars, bullet points, "Try it, Apply it" tabs, chapter heads, and subheadings) prevented me from finding a continuous, developing thread of instruction. The book is, as it sets out to be, a tune-up guide for trained teachers who are already dealing with classrooms of students. There is too little step-by-step guidance for homeschoolers who are new to teaching literacy. This is especially apparent in dealing with very early readers, where specific training, commercial materials lists, and informal assessments would be welcome (Routman seems to say that such would be infeasible). I missed recommended reading lists that might specifically tie in with coaching in the text, and striking the best balance of phonics to reading is brought out, but left up to the intuition of the teacher.

The thrust of most of the book is about 5th grade difficulties, but it seems to me that a solid K-3 program would head off most of those problems. I found K-3 to be the weakest component of the book.

Routman acknowledges the many demands on classroom teachers for their time and compassion, but I think she is unrealistic about what is achievable in a classroom-based school setting. Interestingly, though she never mentions homeschooling, her prescriptives are precisely what motivates homeschoolers (this one, at least) and homeschooling is a very sensible response to many of the ills she addresses.

Finally, I had the nagging feeling that the book could have benefited from being substantially shorter. Whatever shortcomings Reading Essentials may have for homeschoolers, it's still the best resource available, and it IS essential.

The advantage of using any Barron's book is that the problems in it are a lot harder than those you'll see on the actual exam. Review books are not meant to be textbooks, so they will give a general overview of the course. After 14 AP exams so far (7 more this year), I've never walked into an exam where College Board's questions were harder than Barron's.

The details from the publisher appropriately say "general review" because it is SO general. The details of US government that you really need for this test are absent from the review (come on, it's an AP test, they're looking for college-level understanding) and the review questions at the end of each chapter and the practice tests are completely based on almost word for word the book material and were so much weirder/harder than the actual test. I don't think this book helped me at all for the test, and unfortunately I had to buy it for class anyway or I never would've wasted my money.

I think if you want a 3 on the test- review only with this book. If you want a 4/5 use your textbook extensively (like I did) or get a much better book.