Educational Books

This is an awesome way to give kids history and also bible base. I have twins that are 8 and a child that is 12 and this book allows me to use it for all of them. I just love that I don't have to buy them separate curriculm for history. Cant wait till we get to the next volume. The kids are excited and eager.

I wanted a history curriculum that was chronological, christian-based and engaging for my 4 yr old and this is it. He has loved the hands on activities and actually requests his history lesson. Thank you Lisa!

Great for multiple grades. Hands on activity for each week. Makes learning fun and adaptable for all ages.

WONDERFUL BOOK VERY INTERESTING AND KNOWLEDGE PACKED. CAN BE USED FOR MULTIPLE GRADES/AGES AND COULD EVEN BE USED MULTIPLE YEARS AND ON DIFFERENT LEVELS.

This curriculum is just what I was looking for! The events are in chronological order, integrating Biblical history with "secular" world history. This key element helps my kids see that Biblical characters were real and not fairy tale. So often we get one or the other but not both combined. This book also points out that man was created intelligent and innovative, judging from ancient artifacts, which are shown in photographs throughout the book. The pretests, map work, engaging activities, memory cards, reviews, and timeline reinforce what they've learned. The activities are divided for Older, Middle, and Younger students, so it is perfect for multi-level teaching. The lessons can be read to early elementary students, while the older students (6th grade & up) can read and study independently if desired. Further research and supplementation would be necessary for high school students. It is not overwhelming as I thought it might be. It is just right and my kids love it!!!

Being a new mom of a toddler I really needed help with activities for my son. This book is great. The information and charts are a great way to keep take of my son's development. A must for new mom's

This is a great book. all the developmental areas have been discussed. Good resource book for parents and for early childhood teacher just lke me.

If you plan on working with the younger crowd, then this is a great book for you. It has a lot of creative ideas to help children in your classroom along developmentally. If you are running out of ideas for your classroom, I suggest buying this book. It will ensure you never get into an idea slump again.

I ordered this book when I started teaching in an infant/toddler classroom. Despite my five years of college, I had little knowledge on what these little guys could do. This book has been an AWESOME resource. I love how the lessons are separated by age groups. It provides detailed explanations as well as additional information on why and how each activity is developmentally appropriate. Of the several books I ordered, this one is most professional and designed for teachers. I highly recommend it!

Creative Resourcees for infants & Toddlers (Creative Resources for Infantas and Toddlers) is a great book, I wish that I would have gotten it alot sooner. It has really helped me with my homework assignments.

Tomlinson is one of, if not the, leading expert in differentiated instruction in education. Any material you can find by her will increase your knowledge and preparedness for the classroom! Great read and highly informative.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE CONCEPT OF "THE INCLUSIVE
CLASSROOM"!! IT IS QUITE HELPFUL!!!

Carol Ann Tomlinson gives an overview of differentiation and includes tricks, tips, and templates to help even a beginner get started. Differentiation SHOULD be a part of every classroom. An excellent resource for teachers and also for parents who want to be able to advocate for their children.

This book is excellent for anyone who wants to know the basics of Differentiation. I would recommend it to any teacher who is interested in individualized instruction for students. Also, this book gives some very important insights on curriculum objectives.

I read this book through as soon as I received it. Tomlinson is well-respected in her field. Most everything I have read concerns gifted students. This is an excellent resource for ALL students. Differentiation is absolutely necessary in today's classrooms. If all students are to reach their full potential, we must meet them where they are -- and they are all over the place! With so many learners requiring different strategies, finding a way to reach every child is a daunting task. This book gives you the strategies in clear, concise language. The information can be adapted to any subject area or age group. I wish every teacher in my school would read this book!

This book is great for boys and girls alike, but especially poignant for young boys who still want their sleepy pals but also want to be thought of as grown-up! If you can get them to read it with the attitude of the characters, you'll smile the entire time you're reading. Dont' let this one get by you!

These books are perfect. His ear for spoken language is dead-on. It's a joy to read aloud.

This is one of the sweetest bedtime stories, getting kids ready for sleeping over with a reassuring message. Best of all, it features two little boys. There's not a lot of gentle message kids books out there that feature little boys.

This is timeless kiddie lit story: Ira is invited to his first sleep over. Ira's older sister, however, casts doubt in Ira's mind. Will Reggie laugh because Ira sleeps with a teddy bear? Should he go with or without his beloved teddy? His parents are supportive and Ira makes his decision, only to change his mind once again.

Jim Trealease, of Read-Aloud fame, read this story, with appropriate voices to a group of teachers. I was so enchanted with it that later, when I taught high school, I asked permission of my seniors to tell them Ira Sleeps Over. They loved it!

Not having read the book nor able to check it out from a library, I relied totally on reviewers 5 star comments when deciding to purchase this book. Just about 1/3 the way into the book my parental radar piqued at the conversation between Reggie and Ira concerning ghost stories, "scary, creepy, spooky ghost stories." To my sorrow, no mention or even allusion of this was in any of the reviews.

My youngest 3 children (two 5 year olds and a 7 year old) are from a culture that emphasizes ghosts, the boogie man, evil spirits, etc. in a demonic fashion. Prior to becoming part of our family, ghosts were used as a form of disciplne to terrorize them to comply and obey. Even after having them in our family for a year they still struggle with the memories of these demons. Since the ghost story is the climax in Ira Sleeps Over, I do not recommend this book.

This is a very good book for reviewing for the EC-4 Generalist exam. I graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Ed. 15 years ago and am Lifetime certified 1-8. I have taught K in private and 1st in public and am seeking early childhood certification so that I can teach K again in public. I feel confident that this book will be all that I need in order to study for the EC-4 Generalist exam.

I bought this book to study for the EC-4 Texes exam. The test had some of the same study questions that were in this book! So glad I studied! And I passed! :)

THis has been very helpful in preparing me for the TExES test. I recommend it to all

Janice Nath's book is the first textbook I actually read cover to cover. I not only passed the test on my first attempt with a 284 but I learned things I hope to use in my future classroom. The book is set up in sections based on the content areas covered in the test and gives an excellent review of the overwhelming amount of information a grade school teacher needs to know to be an effective teacher. I was really at a loss to know where to start studying for this test as the subject matter was so diverse. This textbook gave me direction. I got it only two weeks prior to taking the test and read every page. If you choose to purchase the book I hope you enjoy it just as much and good luck on the test. In fact I liked it so much I just wrote my first review on Amazon so others nervous about taking the test will get the help they need. :)

This is an excellent, thorough guide to help you prepare for the EC-4 TExES. I looked at several books, but felt like this one had the best information. Though there is not a full practice test, there are practice questions throughout, which are just as (if not more)helpful. Each answer is explained fully (not only why answer A is correct, but why B, C, and D are incorrect).

Several professors contributed to the text, and I know that many others choose it as required reading for their courses.

I made a very high score on the exam, and I owe that score in part to this guide.

While I don't own this product (yet - have just ordered it), I can tell you all from actual experience that Marjorie Persons, the woman who created this lovely series was my music and piano teacher many years ago. I have a friend from back in those days who I still talk to and many times over the years, we have discussed and marveled at how much information we have retained over the years due to the way this marvelous woman taught us about music.

I have learned the most from her in all of my classes in school because of this method she has transferred to this series.

Buy this series, watch in amazement as your child's mind expands and hold on tight to this series and never let it go!

My boys love this CD! I use the book/CD in our homeschool with my 5-year-old. My surprise was when my 3-year-old autistic son started singing along! If I play the CD, they both come running! Thanks, Classical Magic, for introducing my kids to the beautiful world of classical music!

I am a music teacher who works with students ages 3 through adult, both privately and in classrooms. I really appreciate both Volumes I and II for their clever lyrics, short lengths to engage even the most wiggly children, stories that can be presented as plays, and especially the CD that allows one to quickly find any track when under pressure! I have used the Four Seasons by Vivaldi in Volume II as a art/listening project. The children drew pictures of the four seasons and learned the lyrics at the same time. They loved the Fall especially--"watch that spider!" Boys and girls alike will enjoy Saint Saens' "Danse Macabre," Stravinsky's "Infernal Dance," and the challenge of the high speed lyrics of Chopin's "Valse Brilliante." Even if the children are too young to read the lyrics, believe me, it won't take them long to learn them. Just take this CD with you on a car trip and you and your children will know classical music like never before! The older children and adults especially appreciate the humor that sails over the younger ones' heads. It doesn't come off as silly or juvenile, for which I am so grateful. It is especially appropriate for those times one gets caught teaching all ages at the same time.

I cannot wait for Volume III. Thanks for a great classroom teaching aid I will use over and over.

I have two boys, ages 4 and 6, and they are always asking to play the cd that goes with this book. Although I haven't used the book much, the cd itself was worth the money. A few days ago, my 6 year old was watching tv and suddenly said, "Hey mom, that was Beethoven's fifth," after hearing the music on a commercial. Each theme plays twice on the cd, one time with lyrics, one time without lyrics, and my boys usually sing along as best as they can. This cd plays at bedtime, in the car, and during the day when we are doing legos or play-doh. I actually have a hard time keeping track of it! The book contains short biographies of each composer, as well as the music for each theme. The combination of the book and cd are an excellent introduction to classical music and appreciation for it. I would highly recommend this book to homeschoolers who wish to add music education to their curriculum as well as to parents and teachers of preschool and elementary children.

I am an early childhood teacher with experience using Classical Magic in the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and special needs classroom. It is a exciting way to expose children to classical music. Through lyrics Mrs. Persons has written to classical pieces, young children learn to sing the lyrics and in turn learn the composer and the title of the piece. Parents have come to me in amazment that their 4 or 5 year old can tell the family what piece Bach, Mozart,or Sousa wrote and then proceed to sing it for them! The best part is that the children ask me almost daily, "When are we going to do classical magic?" They love it! I recommend this concept of learning classical music to teachers, parents, and grandparents. Never underestimate the ability of young children!

I have wanted to learn how to do beautiful Illuminated Letters for a few decades now....and have managed to buy a couple of 'reproduction' Bibles and such- that had a few illuminated letters in them. But nothing I found had nearly enough information to really feel like I could do more than exactly copy a given letter- and in fact the books I had told me NOTHING about how to get the effects....

Well, this book literally had my jaw on the floor when I first looked through it. I have now had a chance to really examine it. The list of materials and techniques- before you even get to the lettering part is amazing...I will likely never use 'real' calf skin vellum, but it is nice to know HOW to use it (stretching it and handling it) if I ever get really good at this.

The book covers a huge number of TYPES of illuminated letters- Gothic, Celtic, Ottonian, Romanesque, Renaissance, Neo-Classical, and more....There are very detailed step by step instructions for doing at least one letter in every style- and much more- including letter and number examples, script examples for the rest of your writing.

In short, if you have ANY interest in the subject you will want to own this book...I may just sleep with it under my pillow tonight I love it so much!!

Beginning to experienced, it does not matter, this book will fit in wonderfully with all your needs and wants. And when you're done with the book, proudly display its beauty. From illuminating capitals to writing script or learning the styles and techniques, this book has just enough of what you're looking for.

Excellent from the beginning to the end. I used it for a class for Seniors, everyone was impressed with the knowledge, many ordered this book for future reference.

There's little question that this is a beautifully produced book, and a delight to flip through. Just fine, if this were marketed as a coffee-table book. The product description is quite misleading, however, giving the impression that the book contains step-by-step instructions that anyone could follow. However, completing the projects as described requires not only a sizable investment in various paints, inks, tools and other materials (vellum and gold leaf are two examples) but also the skilled hand of a fairly well-accomplished painter. Moreover, each chapter showcases only one letter from the alphabet covered in a step-by-step, color format; the rest of the alphabet is printed in small, black-and-white renditions, with little or no guidance regarding colorschemes, etc. Overall, this book reads like the pet project of a collection of affluent artists in this genre, concerned primarily with showboating and of the opinion that few buyers of the book will ever use it as anything more than...like I said earlier...a coffee-table book.

I have a couple of books on illuminated letters, but this one is the book I reach for first.

It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!

It is produced by the "Barron's" company [which also publishes "The Calligrapher's Bible" by David Harris], and they know how to publish calligraphy books - their books are SPIRAL-BOUND so that they lay flat when you are using them, and every detail has been thought of and included.

Just the cover alone is beautiful, but once you open the book it is evident that the author and publisher are truly on the "same page". Illustrations on every page. Gold ink where it belongs. Color everywhere.

Gorgeous!

But that's not the end of it ...

Chapter 1 : Tools & Techniques
Chapter 2 : Preparing to Work
Chapter 3 : Alphabet Directory (including "Borders & Motifs")
Chapter 4 : Contemporary Gallery (examples of actual work by artists!)
Glossary
Resources
Calligraphy Societies
Further Reading
Index

I can't gush on about this book enough. If you are interested in calligraphy (especially illuminated letters) then DEFINITELY add this to your collection!

Pellicer's book was an excellent book for anyone in the education field. Through short essays, he gives a clear, sometimes humorous, always honest view of what it takes to be a successful leader. While reading this book, I was able to personalize many of the experiences he speaks of and apply the lessons that he has learned through the years to my own life and career goals. Because of the way it is written, the reader has the ability to "skip around" and read the chapters that seem the most pertinent at the time. As a classroom teacher, I found this book to be a source of inspiration to me--inspiration that I desperately need at this mid-year point! After reading his thought-provoking, encouraging essays, I think I might just be able to make it until the end of the school year after all!

Caring Enough to Lead was an easy to read, interesting, thought-provoking book. By sharing personal experiences and perspectives in his book, Dr. Pellicer helped me begin to understand what it means to be a leader and to focus on some of the attributes and attitudes of an effective leader. The questions at the end of the chapters caused me to stop and reflect on my role as a leader in my school and in my classroom. The short chapters in the book enabled me to read one or more chapters at a time depending on how much time I had available.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Pellicer's book, Caring Enough to Lead. It was easy to read and very entertaining while at the same time very applicable for teachers in any situation. It gently reminds us of why we choose teaching in the first place, to touch lives. Dr. Pellicer also reflects on several ways to lead as well as the responsibilities that come with leadership. It was easy to reflect on myself as a leader as I was reading this book. I was able to relate my own experiences to most of his chapters. His writing style of vignettes and questions was fun and unique to read. The short chapters made it convenient to read a chapter or two at a sitting and come back to it later.

This book, written by an education professor, should be required reading for everyone in the field of education. It is a very readable challenge to educators to reflect on their beliefs, practices, and reasons for becoming an educator. While reading the book, I highlighted many passages in order to come back to them and to share them with colleagues in the future. In reflecting on a career in education, the book helped reaffirm my belief that it is important to care about others and pointed out the fact that it is important to care about yourself also. This is a book that educators and leaders can read without feeling burdened with a lot of theory or extra rhetoric. The entire book can be read at one time or it can be read in small segments. It is a book that causes soul-searching and one that should be in every professional library.

Can a series of essays on leadership be described as pleasurable, thoughtful reading material? It can if it is Caring Enough to Lead by Pellicer. Pellicer presents twenty essays that are thought provoking as well as entertaining. Personal stories lead the reader into more in-depth philosophical questions about leadership. The essays contain countless statements that lead the reader to stop and think.
"Life affords us too few opportunities to show others how much we care, we can't afford to waste these opportunities."
"I wish I could find a way to encourage all the teachers in our school to run around and flap their arms on a more regular basis."
"Leadership is never about ruling others, it is about serving others."
"A good teacher can give a child power over his or her own life."
Pellicer feels that becoming a leader requires some who cares, excepts the responsibility of leading, and nourishes and supports others who care. All this is required in order to successfully educate our children.

I just completed reading this book. I am on the Governance Council for a small montessori school, where my three boys have attended for 5 years and still going. I loved this book, but I must point out that this is from an AMI teacher and school not AMS. There are some differences that an AMS teacher or parent will immediately notice in the book. That being said, there isn't a better book that I've read regarding inclusive and peaceful negotations with children. Donna is a role model for all of us in how she interacts with the children, how she challenges the class to be involved in each child's challenges and truly loves and believes in each child. I have purchased a second book to have in our "parent resource" library for our school.

This book illustrates how a skillful practitioner and an artful teacher can make a difference in a child's life. It shows why our traditional methods of consequences and punishments, of making demands and rejecting children who don't live up to them create and maintain our hostile educational systems thus our society. Goertz demonstrates another way; a path toward healing and peace. She strengthed my resolve that respect, community and time are the way and that some children are on a unique journey.

It should be a must read for every teacher, especially teachers of young children.Children Who Are Not Yet Peaceful: Preventing Exclusion in the Early Elementary Classroom

Laurie Prusso M.Ed.
Professor of Child Development
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

This is a great portrayal of the Montessori educational philosophies. It profiles students considered challenging in traditional educational systems and shows how they were welcomed and thrived in the Montessori school.
It shows how traditional educational systems based on competition have failed many young students.
The author is a fantastic teacher and advocate for the success of all children.
Must read for all parents considering Motessori or Waldorf. Also for parents of children who have been labled at an early age.

This is a wonderful book. Donna Bryant Goertz makes a strong case that 'problem' children should not be tutored, medicated, put in remedial or disciplinary classes or otherwise excluded, but allowed to develop emotionally and intellectually at their own pace in a respectful, loving, supportive, and highly structured environment. Arranged as a series of case studies, the stories of these young students dramatically support Bryant Goertz's thesis, and the personalities and voices of the children shine through. In addition, parents (or others who work with children) can learn much from the discussions of how to approach behaviors that are disruptive to a Montessori community (or household, or playgroup).

My very first Montessori teaching experience was in Donna Goertz' classroom in Austin Montessori School (her name was different then as was mine). I remember situations in the classroom and on the playground, which, to be honest, terrified me as a newly trained Montessori teacher serving as Donna's assistant. She would often step into one of those "terrifying" frays, placing herself strategically in the middle of everything of importance, and handle the children with respectfulness, fearlessness, and creativity. I still remember those situations with awe, and as I work with the children in my current Montessori school, sometimes wish for the really excentric and challenging children who teach us all so much. My late husband, also a Montessorian, wrote an article entitled "Why Difficult Children Are My Favorites." He remembered the stories I brought home from school as I was learning from Donna Goertz. I recommend this book to any Montessori teacher who finds him or herself silently and guiltily cursing that child who disrupts and seems to defy the normalizing effects of the Montessori approach. It is a gift to all of us.

I enjoyed the book and it has an incredible amount of resources in it. It addressed a lot of homeschooling concerns for gifted kids. I don't feel it is a stand alone resource and maybe after a few years and some revisions it will seem more "complete".

I read several dozen books on homeschooling when I decided that my kids were going to be homeschooled. Creative Home Schooling by Lisa Rivero was by far the best book I came across. Initially I just checked the book out from the library as I did with the rest of books on homeschooling I read. I actually bought this book and am happy about it. Most of the home schooling books are designed for the average family that pulls its kids out of school, often for religious reasons. Ms. Rivera targets the audience of people who homeschool because their kids are just too smart for normal public school. She discusses different learning styles, the differences between gifted children and high achievers, child-directed learning, and asynchronous learners.

This is absolutely the best book I have read about homeschooling. It is intended for gifted children, but is so much more than that. It talks about all types of homeschooling methods, suggests materials, gives experiences from parents already homeschooling - it is just wonderful. I have given this book to friends considering homeschooling and they agree - this book is a MUST READ!

Book provides many helpful hints for homeschooling gifted children. It does focus more on families that are newly considering homeschooling so it was less of a help to me than expected. It still helped me with some insight into alternatives for gifted children and provided many lists of resources.

If you are new to homeschooling and your child is gifted, this book is a must-have. The different styles of homeschooling are reviewed and presented in an objective manner. The first section of the book deals with gifted children and why homeschooling is an ideal solution for many. The next section helps you to find your homeschool style, and the final portion is a resource guide. Informative quotes from kids and parents are liberally sprinkled through the text. Go ahead and borrow it from your public library, but you're going to want to buy it after you see it!