Educators Books

This book would be of value for educators who focus on student evidence based assessment methods.

As educators we often desire to determine the status and effectiveness of a program, process, or intervention. To examine the results of a teaching strategy or intervention we need to research the activity in a manner that provides valid results. Improving Schools Through Action Research is an excellent guide for designing action research projects, conducting the research, and generating results of the research for publication or communication with others in the field.

The book is divided into easy to follow chapters with activities that guide the researcher through each phase of the research process. Relevant examples and Internet resources are provided throughout the book so novice researchers are comfortable with the process.

I highly recommend this textbook as a course text or as a reference for educators conducting action research to improve teaching and learning at their schools.

I have just finished reading Alessandra Comini's autobiography, "In Passionate Pursuit", which was recommended to me through your "personal recommendations" list on your Amazon.com site. This memoir which covers six decades of the author's life and career as an art historian was a delight to read. There were many sections where I had to actually put the book down and wipe my eyes, as I found myself tearing up with emotions of both joy and sadness. As a mental health counselor, professional musician, and patron of the arts myself, I was touched by how Comini so beautifully integrated her love for art history and musicology with equal passion and pursuit! Life can become such a balancing act for all of us and how many of us truly follow our heart's calling as Comini does? Equally, how many of us, especially when we age, look back and wish we had pursued those dreams much differently?
Comini's book rejuvenates the human spirit. Her colorful descriptions of each site she visited makes readers feel as if they are standing there beside her. Intertwined with her journeys and discoveries are those very reflective moments such as having to say goodbye to life-long friends she has made along the way. Heart wrenching was the moment when she opened a letter mailed to her after her own mother's death, a letter in her mother's handwriting compassionately consoling others who had had a loved one die. Poignantly, she describes another period in her life when she dropped out of graduate school in order to assist Hungarian Refugees as they fled to Vienna during the Hungarian Revolution. Subsequently, she so bravely, and honestly describes her own battle with breast cancer which gives hope to women everywhere who are going through similar experiences. Alessandra Comini's introductory description of discovering Schiele's prison cell leads the reader into an exuberant, 233 pages of the author's adventures, travels, and personal memoirs. Comini's book is "real" and can reach audiences from those in the arts' world, students, and especially those who have ever had a slight tug in their heart to follow their own dreams.

Any student of the liberal arts - and, for that matter, anyone who has ever been inspired by a book, a painting, or a fragment of a song - should run out and buy this book immediately! Comini's rich, hypnotic prose brings her world alive and takes one on a journey of the senses through her brilliant career. Making deft use of language, Comini's writing is both deeply personal and introspective, tracing her growth as a person and as a scholar. At the same time, the narrative provides a warm, refreshing look at how art is "pursued," with the indomitable Comini and her trusty camera on the forefront of some of modern art's greatest re-discoveries. A cult icon amongst young intellectuals, Comini's articles and public lectures are the stuff of academic legend, so this book written in Comini's own words is a treat for her readers. This book takes up Goethe's call to arms: "Strive! Strive! Strive!"

In Search of Susanna is a remarkable transgeneric experiment in life writing, a densely textured "word quilt" in Bunkers' words, testifying to the author's passionate determination not only to reclaim her family past but to affirm a vital future for the female descendants who look back to Susanna and discover themselves." --William L. Andrews, University of North Carolina.

"In Search of Susanna is a lovely weaving together of threads from the ancestral past to tell a story of the present and future. The Susanna sought in this book--and beautifully evoked--is not only Suzanne Bunkers' great-great-grandmother but the author and her daughter as well. No one restores to us the lives of women across generations as gracefully and as movingly as Suzanne Bunkers."--James Olney, Editor, Southern Review

Very enjoyable. A collection of Mr. Khuri's writings, the title and cover image accurately reflect the content. And a Lebanese man I know laughed and agreed when he heard Khuri's description of "Lebanese:" "It is a profession, not a nationality."

Also worthwhile for dispelling notions that there is no humor in the Middle East.

After reading this book, I wish I'd known Faud Khuri, a generous and good man who had a life well lived.

Here is a slender memoir of a Lebanese-American anthropologist's experiences plying his trade throughout the Levant and Middle East, studying power structures throughout the region. The reason behind the title as explained by Khuri is that whenever he explained what he did for a living, his friends and relatives back home in Lebanon would laugh uproariously at the thought of such an oddly named profession.

Khuri, who received his PhD from the University of Oregon, is charmingly self-deprecating in the telling of his story, obscuring the fact that his work was groundbreaking (his book Emirs and Imans is essential for understanding the differences between the region's various Islamic sects, including how their theology informs their politics). Even in this book, there are little, almost throw-away insights that forced me to reconsider some of my notions about the Middle East.

It's also apparent that Khouri was a decent and gentle soul, someone who saw worth of experience in everyone. Couldn't recommend this book more highly.

As a person that has studied East Asian cultural history academically for years, and a person who will be teaching China just four months from now, I found this book to be perfect. It was not written by a scholar, and I think in reality that is what makes it great. It is simply a man with a love for Asian culture, who came to be exposed to the reality of modern China. Still, even with all the hardships, his love remained. It is a testament to Americans that can see beyond the perceptions built by our own society, and also to the Chinese culture that was able to shine even under the political turmoil. Mark Salzman would not only write a wonderful book from his experience, but he also carried the beauty of wushu back to the United States, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. This book has incredible insight into Chinese culture, of course from an American perspective. There are too many good points about this book, and the movie that was produced as a result, to begin to list them here. I suggest you simply buy it and be prepared for a very enjoyable read, and maybe possibly a change in your perceptions.

This book, even though not written by a professional writer, tells the true life story of a martial artist and his search for a teacher. The story combines a description of China and its traditions , and the teachings of a true martial artist. It is focused on philosophy and changes the traditional view of martial arts as a violent art. It's a novel with a message.

A very informative biography of Melvil Dewey. Full of fascinating facts and interestingly written, I highly recommend this title, especially to those in the library world.

The author, Wayne Wiegand, has written the definitive book on Melvil Dewey. He tells us how Dewey accomplished so much in his lifetime. We also learn of some of the less than admirable qualities of Dewey. I found the following parts fascinating: the rise and fall of the Lake Placid Club; his difficult time at Columbia College; riding his bicycle to work on a regular basis; his ownership of Library Bureau; and the development of the Dewey Decimal System. I really felt that I knew Melvil Dewey after reading this book. The author relates the successes and the frustrations of Dewey. No one has had a greater impact on librarianship in the English speaking world than Melvil Dewey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about Dewey. The author is to be commended for a truly outstanding biography!

Jazz Pedagogy: The Jazz Educator's Handbook and Resource Guide
by J. Richard Dunscomb is an outstanding resource for new music teachers and experienced professionals as well. It contains detailed well thought out articles by leading jazz educators in their fields of expertise...clearly outlined and easily understood examples descriptions. A must have guide for learning or for remebering things you already knew but needed a fresh perspective.

Another book with a great concept: include a DVD which shows what's inside the book. Here Dr. Willie Hill is shown in a clinic type format demonstrating to high school jazz band participants how to play jazz standards. The DVD is a documentary format of a live classroom setting of real students being taught how to solo. Dr. Hill also instructs the 4-piece rhythm section, telling the musicians to listen to the drummer's accents. Both a high school ensemble and a college ensemble are represented. This book also ties in with a great video set that shows the role of the drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards in the rhythm section called "Drums In the Rhythm Section" (also Piano, Bass, Guitar) with top caliber players like Steve Houghton.

The book does a good job of presenting jazz in a methodical way. It starts with jazz history and influential players. It then moves on to the development of jazz instrumentation and jazz styles. As to not overwhelm the novice, a blues tunes, "Billie's Bounce", is used as a starting point. Helpful pointers like scales, modes, and arpeggios are explained and written out. Since classical musicians will only be familiar with standard grand staff notation and unfamiliar with simplified jazz charts, time is taken to explain the anatomy of a chart. The book's expensive but one you'll keep in the library for reference, especially if you plan on being a jazz band director. Also, as a supplemental addition, get "Approaching The Standards" by the same author to practice what you've learned here.

An excellent resource for the whole language integrated kindergarten classroom. This book is useful for the new and experienced early childhood educator.

Bobbi gives a great overview for the classroom with many practical ideas for the teacher who embraces a whole language approach. I have modeled much of my classroom after the book and have found it very successful with all of my learners as well as my own sense of well being. I highly recommend it! My first year of teaching kindergarten, I read it constantly and to this day it is a book that I do not lend out to colleagues because I can't bear to part with it.

I don't usually read this genre book, but found it well written and understandable without resorting to the usual sensationalism. Mr. Siegman factually and interestingly tells the story of "just a reular guy" who overcame difficulties most people would find hard to imagine. Charlie's story tells us the behind the scenes story of injury, recovery and hope, only to be shattered by the "flashback" nightmares so many of our vets faced during that era filled with turmoil both on the front lines and at home. For the most part, protest marchers were often mis-informed and misguided thanks to the likes of "Hanio Jane" Fonda and her kind. The old cliche of "a comeback against all odds" must be applied to this fine young man who was kind enough to share his story and to Mr. Siegman who wrote it so clearly and well. Thank you for sharing this story with us, Mr. Siegman and best wishes to Charlie!

Dean Siegman has done a masterful job of revealing the incredible life story of Charlie Morris. This book is heart warming and inspiring, but does not sugar-coat the harsh realities and struggles of someone dealing with both physical limitations and post traumatic stress disorder. Readers of this well constructed biography will almost certainly be inspired to do more with their own lives after learning of the remarkable achievements of Charlie Morris. A highly recommended read for anyone who believes the human spirit can overcome almost any oblstacle, for you will find no finer example of that notion than the life of Charlie Morris. This book is worth every minute of the time you will spend with it.

I am a very experienced educator, who has worked in the field over 30 years. For the last 20 years my passion has been educating bright-gifted students with Language Learning Impairments (LLI) also called dyslexia.

My original motivation was my own son many years ago. I found regular AND Special Education teachers' skills to work with LLI students abysmal. In 2003 98% still are. Teacher training is a disaster. Education will not improve until teacher training improves. I would be happy to share what I think needs to be done.

I am in private practice as an educational consultant. I am also a certified Fast ForWord (FF) provider. ...I have worked with hundreds of kids, teens and even adults who struggle with reading and all language skills.

Learning Grammar Through Writing is a terrific resource. It is simply and clearly written for even elementary age students. It not only provides definitions but excellent examples. The book is organized into chapters by speech category and other relavant issues to writing. Each point in each chapter is given a letter. When conferencing with a student on a piece of writing (usually at the revision stage), instead of explicity telling a student what is wrong with their writing, you use a number-letter code at the point of error. Then the student goes back to their seat and looks up the codes to find out what grammatical rules have been violated and how to fix them.

According to research,the more involved a student is in their own learning, the better and easier he/she can learn. This resource enables the student to be an ACTIVE participant in their own learning!

The book can also be used by the student when they realize they are unclear about some point of grammar. The book is so well organized it is usually easy for the student to look up the information during the rough draft writing stage.

I have always felt that it is very demoralizing for a student to receive their written work back all covered with red correction marks. (I have never used red for paper correction in my life!)Educators must keep learning a positive, esteem-building experience.

LGTW is an excellent tool for children who write; especially those who are self-motivated and write creatively for pleasure. The instructor tags an error with a code. The student easily finds the code, reads the rule, and corrects the error, whether grammar useage or punctuation, thereby encouraging reinforcement of proper grammar.