Educators Books

A physical education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels for more than 24 years, Guy Bailey has compiled and presented 251 fun and `kid friendly' games and activities in "Recess Success!", a `how to' guide for teachers wanting to engage their students in movement oriented and recreational activities that will help them develop physically fitness and cognitive abilities while thoroughly enjoying themselves in their recess breaks, lunch time periods, physical education classes, and afterschool leisure hours. Each game is presented with clear descriptive instructions and everything necessary for a good time by the children, including the number of players required, suggested grade level, equipment needed, and illustrations. Of special note is the chapter devoted to classroom appropriate games for rainy days. "Recess Success!" is also very highly recommended to the attention of parents and youth counselors because these are games and activities that can be readily adapted to children in church, camp, and community youth center recreational settings.

This guide is not pedantic or condescending in tone to the veteran or beginning educator. It is a down to earth guide with easy-to-follow suggestions. It provides a clear process by which anyone may engage in action research. It provides points for thinking and examples of each stage of the process. I used this text for writing my masters and I found it especially helpful when coming to conclusions about my data.

Reflective Practice To Improve Schools: An Action Guide To Educators defines reflective practice (approaches to teaching that require personal commitment to continuous learning and improvement) and discusses how reflective practice and continuous learning can be spread among teachers and applied throughout school systems to create a better educational base for our children's future. Tables, figures, point-by-point bulletins and black-and-white diagrams help illustrate the benefits of reflective practice. Collaboratively written by Jennifer York-Barr, William A. Sommers, Gail S. Ghere, and Jo Monite in an effort to present difficult undergraduate level concepts in clear language that can be easily grasped, Reflective Practice To Improve Schools poses a challenging, compelling argument and is highly recommended for any educator in search tips, tricks, and techniques for self improvement on the job.

This is actually a fun read. The author calls it "conversational in tone" and it truly is as easy as sitting across a desk from Kathie discussing the basic workings of the brain and how one might use this information in a regular classroom. She is clear and concise with her description of the basic structure of brain cells and how they work. The information presented relates easily to classroom use but parents may also find it interesting for understanding their children (or selves!). Kathie's illustrations are simple and to the point. This book is a great place for assistance if you're one of "us"---busy regular educators. Its like a beginners guide to the brain........

If you ever wanted to have a classroom where the students couldn't wait to arrive and get started, if you ever wanted to free yourself and your students from the boredom of lecturing as a primary teaching tool, if you ever wanted to give every student a chance to learn and be assessed in an individualized way without driving you crazy, then this book is a must-read for you. Nunley gives lots of detailed, practical information about how to provide instruction and learning opportunities in a classroom full of students of varied skills, interests, and backgrounds. She provides sample unit plans and usuable forms for getting you started. And she provides the theory to support it. She is a practicing classroom teacher, so she has the experience to back up the theory.

Beautifully written and thought-provoking, _Reinventing Marriage_ tackles the large and complex issues of gender equality, the history of American attitudes towards love, romance, marriage, and work, the complicated interplay of idealism and reality, and the peculiar burdens of a privileged life lived in the public eye; and does so all through the examination of one particular late nineteenth century marriage of two intelligent, appealing, and literate partners. Their letters to one another are a joy to read, and Kenschaft's thoughtful commentary consistently frames the relevant issues in ways that make them always accessible -- and never oversimplified. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, and wish for others to have the same pleasure.

REVERSALS is the story of a woman who, though quite bright, had an impossible time learning to read and spell. She didn't find out till she was in her 20s that she had dyslexia. In my opinion, Eileen Simpson was--and is--one courageous and resilient lady. Because she grew up during an era when dyslexia, and LD in general, was unheard of, she was the victim of repeated misunderstandings. She was repeatedly accused of being lazy, careless, unmotivated, etc. In fact, her 4th-grade year was the worst school year she ever endured, due to a strict, authoritarian teacher and an equally strict aunt. That she never gave up, and was able to learn to read and spell in the end, is tribute to both her strength AND her intelligence. For finding the courage to disclose her dyslexia for the benefit of others when it would have been so much easier to keep trying to hide it, I applaud her. To anyone who wants to learn about LD and its effect on those who have it, I highly recommend her book!

Alexander uses Richard Allen's original autobiography to tell the story of Allen's impact on African American education and social development. The story is important and it is explained admirably with many wonderful, lengthy, primary resource quotes included. Alexander's stance on issues current at the time of his writing may strike some as dated. However, even this provides the historical researcher with double the history to explore and ponder.

Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."

We used this book in our urban ed class (and its been used in previous sections). ALL of the class agreed that the book was great, fantastic, etc. The lessons taught are great. The story is well told. BUT.. there are questions left unanswered in the book... where's the sequel? What happened to Meghan? Is the playground still there.. (shoulda had a picture of it)? Is John still doing any teaching at Compton Avenue Elementary? We want to know.. The book is great!

This is the story of the first Catholic Schoolmaster in South Uist since the Reformation. Frederick Rea was an English Roman Catholic and his experiences with the Gaelic Speaking Islanders of South Uist and the famous folklorist and poet Father Allan MacDonald make for a wonderful, sometimes funny and sometimes tragic story. This is a charming an important book for anyone interesting in multicultural studies, Gaelic heritage or Scottish history. It is really one of a kind.