Reading Instruction Books

The product is in excellent condition, and exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, I took 27 days to reach me.

Words Their Way is an excellent source for teachers to use for word study. It gives great insight into how kids learn to spell.

The book is outstanding. The materials in the book is easy to read and follow. I use the activities and word sorts in my classroom each day. I have used the spelling inventory with my class, also.
I do have a problem with the CD that came with the book. I wish the word sorts involving words would be big like the picture sorts are. My students have trouble with the small size of squares.

This is a great resource. It gives many examples of how to impliment the program. One thing I really like about Words Their Way is the fact that is hands on. This will really help my students who are more concrete thinkers.

It's been shown that spelling provides a window to one's reading. This book explains the developmental stages children go through K- adult. The database software on one of the CDs that allows one to analyze the spelling inventories and sort the results is very easy to use. Classroom teachers appreciate the data I have been able to give them on their students. The word games and short videos on the 2nd CD are very helpful. The analytical phonics approach is very kid-friendly right up through high school. This is a very thorough resource that every ELA, SpEd, and Title I teacher should use.

Excellent collection of non-rock pop music from 1900 to 1975, after which the authors say the kind of music they have collected has pretty well disappeared. They feature a short bio of each writer or team of writers,interesting, but nothing you couldn't find with a quick internet search.

They do not include country, rock, folk or "world" lyrics--strictly pop Americana, heavy on musicals, show tunes, cabaret and torch songs, songs that went with the big-band swing era, etc.

It can be a little hard to find songs in the book--they are arranged in roughly chronological order by author--and the index contains first lines, but no "trademark" phrases that might help you track down a song whenyou have a fragment of a lyric caroming about in your head.

It gives the lyric that we usually remember, but also includes the short preludes that these songs usually featured. "Stardust," for example, starts out with "And now the purple dusk of twilight time. . .etc." that precedes "Sometimes I wonder. . . etc."

fun to read,just to get a fix on the various eras of American musical pop culture. Occasionally it makes you wish that more of our current lyricists had the skills that the Cole Porters and Yip Harburgs posessed.

I bought this as a gift for a friend who enjoys knowing all the lyrics of songs. In this book, he discovered some intros and verses he hadn't known.
He has enjoyed the book so much that I am going to buy one for myself.

It is usual that books cover the music side of those classic songs. This one, instead, focus on the lyricists, that's the way it is organized. Chronologically, but in the writers order. A thousand songs! It covers almost the whole 20th century but,of course, mainly the 30s and 40s, the classical years for American Popular Songs. It is beautiful to follow those wonderful verses - keeping in mind always the melodies that come behind. What a powerful combination.
One more thing: if you, like me, loves books as much as music, this one has a particularity: it smells divine! try it!

Highbrow collection of the best lyrics. Creme de la creme! My 3rd copy.

This is an excellent compilation, as every other reviewer has said (and with more eloquence than I can muster). Yet, I came to the book, apparently, with an entirely different set of expectations--reading this book, you'd think the 50s and 60s and even early 70s didn't happen. Bob Dylan, not included. The Doors, not included. Joni Mitchell, not included. Marvin Gaye, Paul Simon, Bob Marley ... The Beatles?? Not included. And I'm only scratching the surface. The list of omissions begins here and goes on and on--if, that is, you think these musicians are great lyricists/songwriters (and I do). Admittedly: this should come as little surprise. The introduction states that in the process of editing, "A more painful decision was to limit the field to the song as we know it from shows, movies, and pre-rock pop. Partly this was a matter of logistics: No single volume could stretch to include folk, country, blues, and rock. And though a collection of lyrics that excludes, say, Bob Dylan or Hank Williams is obviously one that is far from complete, their stories are not the stories we can tell here (or are equipped to tell)." Fair enough. But, given the room these editors give to some more obscure songs and songwriters, it's clear that a single volume could successfully stretch to include other genres. That single volume would be outsized, but it would be invaluable.

This was the best investment I have made in a reading foreign language book: the price was reasonable, and was considerably cheaper than taking the graduate level reading course. Yes, this book will get you to the necessary level to pass the majority of intermediate Spanish reading proficiency exams. Where it lacks is thorough grammatical description, so for that, I suggest supplementing this book with "Complete Spanish Grammar" from the Practice Makes Perfect series. After every chapter in "Spanish for Reading" I would go through "CSG" and note the chapters I needed to review before going onto the next chapter in "Spanish for Reading." The two in conjunction with each other are absolutely amazing.

Twenty years ago I had another self-instruction Spanish book by Barrons, the same publisher. This book is far better. It claims to use the latest research on language study, and it certainly seems sound to me. I did notice a few minor typos, but overall I found this book worthwhile. I've had four semesters of Spanish and taken some short immersion classes in Mexico. However, I never took a class specifically geared toward reading, so this text has proved quite useful. I do about three pages a day, and in the past month I am certain my skills have improved. The price is quite reasonable.
I have a tip for other struggling Spanish readers: For what it is worth, when watching a dvd movie at home, leave the spoken language as English and use the Spanish subtitles setting when available. This is a painless, almost subliminal way to boost one's vocabulary.

I'm teaching myself Spanish, and this book is really helpful.

This book was well worth the price I paid. It covers a lot of grammar and quite a bit of vocabulary. Most of the exercises are set up so that you only need an index card (or other piece of paper you can't see through) to do them.

Although I wish that it had a dictionary in the back, I'm still giving it a five-star rating. I sure wish it had an audio CD with all the reading passages, because then it would be outstanding, but I'm not marking it down for lack of a CD, since it isn't meant for listening comprehension.

I loved FRENCH FOR READING, so thought I'd give this one a try. Make sure you have a dictionary because there isn't one at the back of the book - and sometimes the passages give you words you've never seen before - with no way to look them up. Also - these chapters seem a bit denser then 'French For Reading', make sure you go slowly, maybe only doing 1/2 chapter at a time.

My mother just loves Egypt stuff and this was bought as a mother's day gift. I previewed it (just to see) and it is beautiful. I even caught myself reading it, as it was full of information and details. I've never seen an Egyption book like this before, and don't think I will ever come across one again.

If you want a succint and fascinating guide to understanding Egyptian art then this is for you. Arranged in a most unique style, Wilkinson's book captivates the reader and moves him into a richer understanding of Egypt's language and art. Richly illustrated, this masterpiece for the layman traces the impact that the Egyptian language had upon the ancient forms of art. It provides the reader with some basic information as well as specifics which will assist the layman in understanding and appreciating this great civilization. It moved me to purchase the companion volume which I cannot wait to read. Having been to Egypt twice, I can only say that this book is a MUST for anyone who is planning to travel there. I only wish that I had discovered this book before I went there! The only thing better would be if the author himself led you on a tour to this enchanting land!

Art language, the signs by which we interpret the meaning of art, is a specialized study. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to approach Egyptian art on a deeper level than a simple visual feast. Prof. Wilkinson has explained many of the common themes used by ancient Egyptian artists in simple terms, so that anyone who cares to read will be able to understand and appreciate the work in depth. I have found this book invaluable. The book is richly illustrated and the line drawings by Troy Sagillo are exquisite. Wilkinson has opened a path for me that I knew was there, but could not find.

Wilkinson is a professor at the University of Arizona (or was) and I believe may still be directing that institution's work in the Valley of the Kings. As he points out in this volume, one of the things often missed in regards to Egyptian art is that it is intended to be "read". Even paintings and objects in the round are often constructed using hieroglyphs. The author gives a well written, organized overview of the rudiments of learning to see into Egyptian art more of what the artist intended the viewer to see. Very nicely illustrated with an excellent selection of examples.

What a wonderful book!

The author takes 100 of the hieroglyphs used in writing Egyptian, and used in Egyptian art. (Symbols are identified by the Gardiner code number.) He dedicates 2 pages to each symbol - the right-hand page gives an analysis of the meaning and uses of the symbol, and the left-hand page, through line drawings and photographs, illustrates how the symbol is used.

Whether you study it page by page, or just dip in and browse, this book can be used, with profit, by anyone interested in the language or art of ancient Egypt.

I used this book to study before taking the Foundations of Reading MTEL. It was an excellent resource. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs some help in preparing for any Literacy Instruction exam.

This book is an excellent resource to use when preparing for MTEL's foundations of reading exam. I have bought many other books but none of them cover exactly what you need to study than this book. I would definitely recommend that you use this book and its a great price too.

This book was my one & only source of study for the MTEL F.O.R test. I had heard nothing but horror stories from people who had taken this exam. I have been out of college for 18 years and therfore out of practice taking exams. I used this for the F.O.R and not only passed but did very well. I also bought MTEL (the yellow & black book) for the Communications & Literacy and passed with flying colors. Good Luck!!

I just want to say how helpful I found this book. I do not have an education degree, and have never had a course in teaching reading or anything like it, but reading and studying this book helped me pass the MTEL Foundations of Reading the first time! Everything you need to know really is in this book. I am usually very skeptical about the claims of books like this, but I am definitely a fan. Many thanks to Chris Boosalis.

I took the MTEL Reading Foundations test and everything that was in this book was on the test! It was amazing. I am so happy I bought this book!

Carol Avery offers her view to writers workshop for teachers who teach writing. The strategies used in the book can be adapted to fit other grade levels. Teachers will find this book to be a useful resource in the classroom.

The book gently guides you through literature experiences with children- specifics that are logical- pleasant reading that ignites the desire to go into the classroom day after day-

This text was an extremely easy text to read and one can relate so well with the real life classroom situations. I have taught for five years in the primary grades and by re-reading this book, it brought back the sense of fun that I have long since forgotten about with my classroom children.

When I entered my first year of teaching, I did not know where to begin. This book helped me implement and find success with my students' literacy development. This book has been a very valuable tool. We are lucky to have such a fine teacher's footsteps to follow.

Bravo to Carol Avery for writing such a wonderful book! "And With a Light Touch" contains chapter after chapter of helpful ideas that can be implemented in the classroom, but the author also has such an honest and insightful voice, I actually put aside the novel I was reading and looked forward to reading about Avery's adventures in the classroom! Avery books gives a gold standard of value to the often overlooked teacher's anecdote, I wish more folks would share the way she does. As a mother of a first grader, I was very curious as to what the experience of teaching and learning in the classroom was like, and this book gave me a real inside view. I balked at the textbook price for a paperback, but this book was worth every penny and I would recommend it to anyone interested in teaching, children, or a good story.

Illumination has fascinated me since I was a boy. This is the best book I have seen of illuminations. The scope includes books in Greek, Latin, Old Church Slavonic, Persian, and Mayan. The printing is superb. Detailed descriptions tell who did the work, who patronized it, who owned the book, where it is now, and so forth. Great for browsing for enjoyment and as a source of inspiration. I expect this book to be a favorite for many years to come. Anybody who enjoys calligraphy and illumination would be delighted to own this book.

I agree with every word written in the previous reviews: this is a stunning work and one of my most prized possessions, ranging across manuscript illumination from the very earliest known through early to late Middle Ages and Renaissance, and geographically also ranging much more widely (i.e. outside Europe) than any work I've come across.

I paid £37 for it in the UK when it first came out ($75), and still thought it was an absolute bargain. So I am mystified why it is suddenly available (October 2007) at a fraction of the price: this must be being sold at a loss - or are Taschen simply offloading all unsold copies to Amazon? It might be worth Amazon specifying if this indeed the same as the original edition. You'll note that the cover picture is slighlty different from the one you get when you follow the link to the more expensive 'other editions' (even if the text content and reviews are identical).

This book is worth every penny! It has fantastic HUGE pictures full of great detail. As an artist who specialises in ancient illuminated manuscripts, I value this book above all others in my personal library. So many great manuscripts are represented here. Truely high art!

This book deserves a seven stars score, as it is magnificent in every sense: Paper, Colour palette reproduction, basic and reliable information accompanying every depicted facsimil, and specially because of the scope of the compendium, involving manuscript examples from arabic countries as well as a XIII century mexican manuscript (The Borgia Codex currently held at the Biblioteca Vaticana) This collection shows (as rarely done by supossedly comprehensive treatises) that Mesoamerican, Chinese and Arabic cultures do also possess a very rich medieval heritage, characterised by a colourful tradition in art production. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in Medieval illumination, as well as for those modern illuminators concerned with applying only authentic medieval colours (mostly inorganic compounds) in their manuscript reproductions and finally, this book serves also as a comprehensive guide for visiting great libraries and museums all around the world where some of these manuscripts are exhibited (Do not forget to visit the Condé Museum and The Marmottan-Monet Museum in France).

"Masterpieces of Illumination: The World's Most Beautiful Illuminated Manuscripts from 400 to 1600" is essentially a reprint of "Codices illustres: The World's Most Famous Illuminated Manuscripts 400 to 1600." The former is one of many 25th anniversary Taschen editions, and bears the series logo on its dust-jacket and bright green cover (rather than the classier illumination of the Limburg Brother's Anatomical Man that adorns the cover of the latter). "Masterpieces" is also slightly smaller (9 ¾" x 12 ½") than the original (10 ¼" x 13 ¼"). There are a few other slight differences between the two editions: different endpapers; white paper for the appendix in "Masterpieces," ivory in "Codices"; and slightly darker illustrations in Masterpieces (only noticeable if you actually compare the editions side by side). Otherwise the two editions are virtually identical.
This is a truly wonderful book. It contains discussions and representative illuminations from 167 of the most famous and influential extant codices, books of hours, psalters, Bibles and histories from Europe and Asia (23 or the 167 are from Persia, turkey and India) during the 1200 years in which manuscript illumination flourished as an art form (and at the end of the text proper are samples from yet another 29 manuscripts). The full-color and often full-page illustrations are beautifully and accurately rendered, and the accompanying descriptions are both authoritative and unusually informative. The appendix contains artist biographies, along with a comprehensive bibliography, glossary, and index. In short, this is more than just a coffee-table book; in fact, I use it in my university course on manuscript illumination (along with Christopher De Hamel's excellent "A History of Illuminated Manuscripts," which forms the perfect companion piece to this volume.).
At the current retail price ($29.95) this book is an absolute steal. If you only get one book on the subject of manuscript illumination, this should be the one!

great reference book. love it for it's content. don't expect to get through it in a day or two, though. it's definately a text book written for teaching. chock full of awesome illustrations and clear, easy to grasp content.

the title talk itself, Will Eisner is a master, he never enter to the universe of the spandex heroes, if you don't like the espandex, or you try to understand the comics, or not only comics, visual narrative inself, this is your book.

Eisner is one of the old pros who helped create the way sequential art is done. This book demonstrates the thinking that goes into producing sequential art, how to pace and create emotions in your audience. A must have for film artists, storyboard artists, comic and graphic novel artists and it opens new ways of thinking for illustrators and painters.

As a veteran comic book illustrator (You can find my work here on Amazon.com; I am the CO-creator and artist of Transmetropolitan), I am often asked to recommend books to aspiring professionals in comic book illustration. In that case I always enthusiastically recommend any of Eisner's instructional books as essential reading for anyone serious about their craft and dreams of getting into the industry.

From the earliest work of his career, Will Eisner was an innovator in writing as well as illustration. Even in his twilight years the man is still a vigorous and creative artist producing work that pros as well as fans can't wait to get their hands on.

These books display his genius in an entertaining and easy to follow method, and if put to practice will inspire and reveal hidden keys to making your work truly professional grade. A great companion book to Eisner's "Comics & Sequential Art".

- Darick Roberston

First off, Eisner does a great job of combining visual elements with his text in this book. The whole thing is illustrated with cavemen working on their storytelling technique, and I have to admit that the cavemen illustrations were great fun and always helped to clarify the how side of what he was saying in the text. Beautifully done. (Yes, I know, this is like saying, "Hey, y'know that Hemingway guy? Some of his stories were really good.")

Does it have any issues? Yes. It's 164 heavily illustrated pages. You can read it in an afternoon. And some of the illustrative pieces feel over-long for the point they are trying to prove. I hit the point on a couple of them where I found myself saying, "Yes, I get it. We needed the X in the beginning so we would understand Y now. Can we move on?" I also felt that, at 164 pages, he didn't really have the opportunity to go into depth on some areas. There's a point where he provided two bad examples of a comic script... and no good example. Aaaaah!

Even with those issues in mind, I have to give the book 4 caped crime-fighters out of five. It's well-written (though there are also some grammatical gaffs that make me want to scream), it's engaging, and it's instructive. Worth the read.

I attended two of the author's presentations at the EARCOS conference in Bangkok recently and found them both thought-provoking and practical. The same is true of this book, which I purchased at the book fair. It's a treasure trove of learning activities that teachers can use to teach students about more than just "how" to use technology. As an IB history teacher I was especially impressed with "The Why List" activity that helps students think critically about what they encounter online and off. I highly recommend this book, especially for fellow teachers of the IB programme.

I'm a librarian and middle school language arts teacher in San Francisco. I came across this book last spring and fell in love with it. I'm now using activities from it with my students and recommending it to all of my colleagues. I was especially excited to hear Dr. Burniske speak at the IRA conference in San Francisco! He's great on paper and in person! I can't say enough good things about this book or its author.

I just bought a copy of this book after attending a workshop that the author gave at the Texas PTA summer seminar. It was the best workshop that I attended and this book is undoubtedly the best thing that I am taking back to my school district from this year's conference. I'm going to encourage fellow PTA members to buy copies of this book and make it recommended reading for every parent and teacher in their school district. And if they don't like that idea then I'll go one better -- make it REQUIRED reading.

I discovered this book through my membership in the International Reading Association, which has listed it among their recommended readings. Although I'm a middle school reading teacher -- and a bit apprehensive about computer technology's impact upon student reading -- I found Burniske's ideas extremely valuable and practical. If nothing else, it was refreshing to hear someone discuss computer literacy as a form of critical literacy that requires higher order thinking skills -- rather than approach it like a functional literacy that requires only technical skills.

I'm not a big fan of "how-to" books, nor am I enthralled with instructional technology, but this is a very smart book that describes interesting classroom activities in response to legitimate classroom concerns. The author is obviously well-versed in the use of networked technology for pedagogical purposes, but he's not infatuated with it, nor does he turn a blind eye to the new problems that it presents. If nothing else, teachers need to read Chapter #2, "Civil Literacy," which suggests that we consider the moral and ethical responsibilities that accompany the acquisition of technical skills when we define "computer literacy." Many school districts are putting a lot of pressure on teachers to find ways to make use of the technology that policymakers have spent a lot of money on in recent years. Anyone who wants to see what a creative teacher can do when experimenting with information and communication technology should read this book. The author doesn't pretend to have all the answers or the "best practices" that will help others solve every problem. What he does have to offer, though, is a fundamental concern for teaching students how to read, write and think critically -- and some excellent ideas for making that happen with the aid of new technologies.

This product is same as described in purchase. Delivery was very quickly and good conditions. I recommend this product and provider. Sincerely. Jose Pena

This book is for the weather novice who doesn't want to get a PhD in meteorology, but still wants to stay out of trouble. While most of the information about thunderstorms is available elsewhere, his section on icing was particularly valuable. I would recommend this to any pilot who seems lost about weather reports or charts. If you know your way around surface analysis charts and lifted index charts then this book might be too simple for you.

For all pilots! I purchased this book over ten years ago and I try to reread it each spring. This book condenses need to know information into useable "bites," and makes weather interesting and understandable. You will learn things about temperature dew point relationships and many other aspects of weather and weather flying that you may never hear any other place. If you are looking for a book that will better prepare you for the dynamics of weather flying, this is one of the very best.

This is a must read book for any pilot who does serious weather flying. Dennis takes the mumbo jumbo and puts it in terms that are very easy to understand. With thirty two years of flying under my belt, this is the only book that makes practical sense of very technical issues.

Good detail, personal tips & hints that I haven't seen in any other text. Although it is US orientated, it contains a wealth of interesting information.