Educational Books

Great book! English and Spanish good for bilingual ed. and students learning Spanish. It also has a nice positive message "I Can"

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I use this book fairly regularly to teach verbs and other vocabulary in my private Spanish classes. The phrases are simple, the pictures are nice and bright, and the students (ages 3-5) are able to "read" this in Spanish after only one viewing of the book! The phrases used go along well with my 4 year old's curriculum, Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 1, and he often pulls this book out after his lesson (on his own.)

I also use this in my class for 4-7 year olds and 7-12 year olds for our five minute book reports in Spanish. They like it because it has both English and Spanish - though they can only give reports in Spanish, it assures them that they are saying what they mean to say!

Overall - A great buy with long life throughout early Spanish education!

I purchased this for my five year old and although I found it a little simplistic for her she's been picking it up and rereading it again and again. She likes the pictures and she likes to try to remember how to say things in spanish. Phrases are fairly easy for the most part. I would recommend this to anyone trying to teach spanish to their child.

This is a great book to help kids (and parents) use Spanish in conversation. We have a dictionary and know lots of words and this book is helping us use the words in context.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It offers sensible and practical solutions to many of the most common issues children have in school, such as boredom, popularity, and academic frustration. And it discusses the unspoken rules that exist in many schools (how much parents are really expected to help with homework, etc.). I only wish I had read it years earlier.

I work with families who have experienced difficulties with their children while in school. This book has been written as a helpful tool for any parent with children in a U.S. school. The book is easy to understand and follow: the chapters can be read separately or all together. Dr. Rambo's professionalism comes through as she helps parents understand their children's experiences with the school system. Another valuable asset of the
book is that Dr. Rambo has provided URL web page addresses, phone
numbers, and addresses to get additional specific information on
what has been discussed in each chapter. That is very handy for the readers. My suggestion for those who don't know what gift to get their loved ones is to buy this book. Parents will not regret
buying and reading this book.

Dr. Rambo's I Know My Child Can Do Better is a marvelous book for young parents wanting to help their children in school ---- caring, concrete, humorous, and totally free of jargon and diagnostic labels.
We bought three copies to pass on, and, after seeing the book and reading the enticing table of contents, so did six of our friends who wanted to lend a helping hand to their school-age grandchildren.

Anne Rambo writes from the best possible perspective. Both mother and expert she gives clear information, and lots of it, in a readable and empathetic way. Her book is a pleasure to read. Ms Rambo gives detail and further contacts and lets us know our rights and responsibilities. She shows how other parents go through the things we do. She gives hope and practical ways to get through difficult times. Did you know you can request assessment for your child at any time and your school must respond? Did you hear of Wardolf schools? Anne Rambo gives all sorts of interesting information and has you feeling she's your own concerned expert.

This is not an in-depth, philosophical treatment of writing (though some may say the author accomplishes it indirectly), but an example after example fun activity tool for teachers--sprinkled with nuggets of wisdom throughout. For those who find such things useful (I don't necessarily) this latest edition includes rubrics, portfolio assessment, and writing across the curriculum. Even if you find only a small portion helpful, the purchase is worth the price. Suitable for primary through middle school.

A Non-Workbook, Non-Textbook Approach to Teaching Language Arts: Grades 4 Through 8 and Up

I found this to be one of the most useful books for teaching writing skills. It is loaded with ideas that can be used in the classroom and can be used with teaching teachers how to teach writing skills. This book has some of the most creative and effective ideas I have seen in a long time. In fact I loaned it to someone about a year ago and have not seen it since. This demonstrates its quality. It is an easy read with samples that one can use in class forever. I recommend it highly.

This book provides numerous ideas and suggestions for creative and purposeful writing activities for upper elementary level students. The activities are easy to intergrate in a busy classroom, can be adapted for different grade and ability levels, and the kids love them!

This book helps teachers explore the art of teaching with children. It has many teacher friendly lesson plans that coordinate well with 6 Traits teaching.

This is possibly the most valuable book I've ever purchased. It wows me on too many levels to adequately describe in a short book review. I am so grateful to my former high school physics teacher for recommending it.

When I accepted a teaching position last summer as a component of my graduate school experience, I'd had about 90 minutes of terror-filled (but rewarding) teaching experience during my decade in the software industry. I'm generally an introvert, and not very comfortable "winging things" without having a conceptual framework to work from. This book provided it.

While reading this book, I found myself reliving my own best and worst high school experiences. However, I was armed with a new vocabulary and interpretive framework to understand *why* these experiences left me inspired or agitated as a student.

Richard's book presented the knowledge base that I suspect constitutes the "common sense" wisdom held by master teachers, carefully packaged and presented for application by teachers of any level. The writing is engaging and story-laden, underscoring the validity of the author's argument that we learn most effectively through personal engagement, appropriate humor, and storytelling.

Richard not only draws on his extensive experience as a practitioner, but credibly grounds his book in current epistemological theory. (The book is generally written from a constructivist frame of reference, which he explicitly acknowledges in the introduction.)

If I had a gripe, it's that Richard demonstrates so lucidly what an effective instructional experience should constitute, including nearly 80 pages on effective communication and direction-giving. It was probably harder to teach my first few classes with that high bar fixed in my mind, but without yet carrying the classroom experience to reach it.

As a staff developer and as a teacher of multiple grade levels this book rocks! If you ever have a chance to see Rich Allen in person, you will be hooked for sure. He has some really simple (which we teachers always appreciate) yet POWERFUL ideas that you can begin using immediately, and they will positively impact your students. A day doesn't go by in my classroom when I don't implement multiple ideas that I have learned from him. Give yourself a treat!

Impact Teaching: Ideas And Strategies For Teachers To Maximize Student Learning by educational psychologist Richard Howell Allen presents a wealth of new ideas for classroom instructors to their help students to better absorb knowledge and prepare themselves for life in an ever-changing world. Individual chapters address embracing instructional precepts such as combining learning and enjoyment, enhancing retention, designing effective and interactive lessons, and a great deal more. Impact Teaching is a strongly recommended and dynamic guide for both public and home school teachers and tutors.

Pardon the cliche' but this is a "must read"! Finally a practical book with real life examples and techniques that can be immediately used in the classroom. Not abstract lofty theories, but specific tools to improve your lessons and staff developments. From giving effective directions to positive mental imagery and ways to keep your students and participants actively involved, this book has practical information that you may have not thought about in such detail. I am a secondary teacher and a presenter and I can't think of anyone who speaks in front of a group that wouldn't benefit from this book. The book also includes stories, metaphors and a keynote speech template. I can't say enough positive things about it!

This is a book for anyone who thought that all homeschoolers were perfect and could do anything without even trying. I loved it, because this was our first year homeschooling ( middle, elementary, and preschool ), and I thought that I wasn't "doing it right".

The advice is easy, and she is in a word: realistic. You won't feel like a failure on a bad day, or like you haven't done enough on a good one. She talks to you, not at you, and she also doesn't insult your intelligence if you don't completely agree with her.

There's a great section about special needs children and how reactions to them affect the entire family, and she does it by promoting empathy not manipulative guilt. In fact, the whole book is about making you feel guilt-free while educating your children, and raising your family ( no matter how little you get done in a day ).

This book is for the rest of us who don't have families that look like, or act like the ones on the cover of homeschooling magazines. The overall message of the book is: nobody's perfect.

I'm a newbie and slightly timid (will I do it right?) homeschooler. This book was very reassuring and helpful to me. The author has years and children's worth of experience to share with those of us who are contemplating homeschooling or just starting out, and I'm sure even a veteran homeschooler would gain insights from her book. I even learned a few "Heloise-type" hints for household management that I haven't known before! The book is easy to read and rich with information. The title says it all, great title, and the right audience should find this book easily.

Barbara Frank seeks to reassure all homeschoolers that homeschooling is possible without perfect kids, a perfect home, or being a perfect parent and teacher. She offers realistic helps in all areas and her comforting words are very encouraging. The chapters in The Imperfect Homeschooler's Guide to Homeschooling are short and very readable.

I am what most would consider a "veteran" homeschooler - 10 years into it, but I always love learning new things! I truly enjoyed Barbara's book. The title is what caught my attention - I suffer from perfection-itis. If I can't do something perfectly, I usually try and avoid it - bad habit and one I am trying to break. Like my favorite mentor, Flylady, says: "Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family" - well, after reading Barbara's book, I realize that "Homeschooling done imperfectly still creates a bond with your children, is taylored to fit their needs, and is really probably better than the alternatives!" I especially was grateful for her insight into special needs homeschooling. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing your heart with us!

THIS BOOK IS LITERALLY CHANGING MY LIFE> I AM FINALLY UNDERSTANDING WHO I AM IN GOD> I AM FINALLY UNDERSTANDING HOW POWERFUL CONFESSION IS OVER MY LIFE> IF YOU ARE CHASING AFTER PURPOSE< LOVE AND GOD...YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS BOOK.

One of the best readings I have ever read. I wanted to buy one for all my friends who are having any sort of struggles. The book gives many scriptures to prove our place in Christ and to confess for our victory.

A book for anyone that is stuggling to know who they are in The Anointed and His Anointing will find themselves walking in a new dimension of a Word filled and anointed life by applying the principles laid out in this book With good practical outlines of scripture and as well as a confession for the Word when mixed with a hungry heart this book can change your life. The book is small enough to brimg with you and give you medtaions that will explode from within and change you, change circumstances and change life the way you know it. Bryan Murphy

This book has to be the best or most important book of all written from Hagin. To sum it up in a few words, if you do not know who you are in Christ, this book will point to the scriptures affirming your identity in Christ. It shows where in the scriptures, we can find reference to what we have through Jesus, who we are, and where we stand with Him. This book is must, if you want to be success for God. Warning, the references will lead you to do a lot of homework after you read it, so its not for the lazy or the "read once" crowd.

reading even the first chapter tells me that Alexis knows what he is talking about. He is a school teacher and is familiar with ideologies in schools and the media. good work, Alexis

If you are looking for a book that will challenge critics like Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, and Sam Harris, look no further. Give a copy of this book to everyone who does not know what to say to critics of Christianity. Nice job Alexis!

This is perhaps the best book I have seen on the market that really deals with the real problem in education today. Jonas E. Alexis is really a tough-minded guy. He also presents convincing arguments against atheists who keeps saying that Christianity is responsible for all the evil in the world. I was really satisfied with the way Alexis responds to critics like Richard Dawkins, the world's atheist, and Sam Harris, another renowned young atheist. Honestly there is no one who argues against Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code more accurately than Alexis. That is enough for now. Readers will not be disappointed in buying this book at all. It's worth every dime and penny because Alexis is quite familiar with the works of Rousseau, Fraud, Voltaire, Kant, Hume, and many thinkers of the Enlightenment. He convincingly argues against their fatal philosophies, and presents the message of the Christian faith in plain language.
I also would recommand The Feel-Good Curriculum, by Maureen Stout, Dumbing Down our Kids, by Charles J. Sykes The Conspiracy of Ignorance, by Martin L. Gross, The Harsh Truth about Public Schools, by Bruce N. Shortt, The Closing of the American Mind, by Allan Bloom, and Inside American Education, by Thomas Sowell.

Here is a list of the many books that Alexis cites in his meticulously researched book: The Well-Trained Mind; Law, Darwinism, and Public Education; Freefall of the American University; The Closing of the American Mind; The Harsh Truth About Public Schools; Universities in the Marketplace; The Educated Child; Genius Denied; Illiberal Education; The End of Racism; The Schools We Need; Brainwashed; Inside American Education;, Intellectual Morons; Jihad in the West; Islam and Terrorism; Education Myth;, The Feel-Good Curriculum;, The Conspiracy of Ignorance; Who Killed Homer?; Let Them Eat Prozac;, Endangered Minds; John Dewey and the Decline of American Education;, The Schools We Need;, The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America;, Islamic Imperialism;, The Beginnings of Western Science; The Burden of Bad Ideas; Of Pandas and People; Dictatorship of Virtue; Your Drug May Be Your Problem;, The Worm in the Apple;, How the Irish Saved Civilization; Hoodwinked: How Intellectual Hucksters Have Hijacked American Culture;, Overdosed America; Top of the Class: How Asian Parents Raise High Achievers; Reforming Education; The Truth About the Drug Companies; White Slaves, African Masters; The World Within the World; White Gold; The Victory of Reason; For the Glory of God; Godless: The Church of Liberalism; The Vision of the Anointed; Barbarians Inside the Gates; Losing Our Language; The Myth of Mental Illness;

I hope that researchers, educators, and concerned individuals will pick up this book and read it. They will see exactly why schools are failing and how ideologies destroy real education. But this is not all. Alexis also takes the challenge to address critics of Christianity. For example, the works of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Michael Shermer, and even Dan Brown's book (the Da Vinci Code), are clearly examined with cool logic, historical facts, and succinct analysis. As Alexis said, the book "is a tour de force." It objectively examines the many prevailing creeds of our time. This book deserves our full attention!

I am very impressed with this book. It has many useful tips for inclusion (it outlines a process for beginning inclusion) and has a variety of accommodations for different learners. Accommodations are helpfully organized by types of activities (reading, writing, math, general teaching strategies, tests, etc.), and most of the accommodations would also benefit non-disabled students. I also like the humerous cartoons and the quotations throughout the book. The reproducable forms at the back of the book are also very useful. As a new Special Education teacher I find it a great resource.

This wonderful book actually attempts to make inclusion teaching sane. I would not have made it through my stint as an inclusion teacher in a middle school without it. Unfortunately, I didn't find it until after Xmas; still it got me through the roughest part. General ed teachers hate inclusion without exception. They need this book, too, since they are for the most part out of the loop--that is, they know NADA about special ed kids. This book addresses that issue and so many other issues; it offers great ways to teach different subjects to these wonderful kids. Guess what!?! A lot of these teaching techniques worked well with regular kids, too.

When I was told my daughter would be in an inclusion class, I didn't know quite what that meant--and neither, it seemed, did the school. Her speech therapist slipped me a copy of this book and suggested I study up so I'd know what to look for and what to demand. As soon as I read it, I couldn't wait to get my own copy. Inclusion seems to be the wave of the future in special education, and a book like this one can help everyone--parents, educators, administrators--get on the same page. Next time, I'll be the one slipping it to somebody.

This book is one of the best that I have seen on inclusion. "450 Strategies for Success" gives a wealth of information on to how to actually put an inclusion program into place at a school. The book has real, practical strategies to put to use in your classroom. Also included are schedules that you can use to plan school days for your students. The tips for creating a positive environment to help every teacher help their students with special needs in the inclusion classroom are priceless. I'm ordering a copy for the teacher's lounge at my school!

A very good book, explicit with examples of how to integrate technology into the classroom for young learners and especially K-12 students. A great choice.

The Lengels obviously know technology and how it should be used in schools. For example, instead of agreeing that schools should prohibit use of iPods, MP3 players, cell phones, etc., in their classrooms, the Lengels suggest that teachers put all those digital gadgets that kids love to work for learning. The book is filled with how-tos on just about everything a teacher needs to know and also includes an online resource that complements the book's content .

This is such an easy to read book for the educator or reader interested in understanding the why of technology and some of the ways it can be used in the classroom to enhance student learning. Jim and Kathi Lengel have drawn on an extensive background of using technology to put into one place ideas, answers to questions and step-by-step guides called "How to". All educators or other interested parties will find something in this book for them. This book truly is a practical guide. There are many urls referenced in the chapters for the reader to seek further information and understanding.

Just finished reviewing a new book written by Jim and Kathleen Lengel "Integrating Technology - A Practical Guide". I believe we need to meet folks where that are, not where we think they should be. Yes, lot's of folks in the know are right about not teaching applications in my humble view, but away about the book.

They start with an interesting question " Why should we Intergrate Technology?" and then provide three chaphters of thoughts, bits and bytes of research, and URLs to get the reader focused. Each chaphter uses a different lens to sharpen the readers vison: Kids, Techers, and Classroom. There are interactive components, short surveys and "how to's", you can stop and try!

From there it gets into the real fiber ( was going to say meat, but....) of intergration for the rest of book, but not theory, truely a practical guide. Yes, it names applications! From Webquestd to Word and beyond, into all these new Right Brain, visually, gobal, hunter- gather media stuff!

Dr. Duke's ability to cover the most important issues of music instruction on a very deep level in straight forward and clear language is truly impressive. His insights are supported by solid scientific research as well as reference to personal experience. The principles put forward in this book changed forever my view of what great teaching is and can be, and have, without doubt, made me a more effective teacher. As the director of the Orpheus Academy of Music I have made this book required reading for every isntructor at our school and their responses have been unanimously enthusiastic. A "must read" for any current or prospective music teacher.

Insight, Wisdom, Practical Direction and Guidance...
By halfway through this book, I was a better music teacher.
Dr. Duke is the teacher I've always wanted, to help me become the teacher I've always wanted.
And it's just a book!! Well, it's not JUST a book. Apply the teachings, and you will see.
Truly transformative for the aspiring teacher. (at least it has been for me) : )

We've been using this book in one of my music education classes. After reading it, writing countless essays about it, and discussing it for months, I've noticed that this book can be applied to almost any field. It covers issues that consume our American education system. Duke's way of explaining things in a way that anyone can understand helps make this book not only an easy ready, but extremely informative to just about anyone that is interested. His chapter on Assessment is one of the most forward essays I've read, and someone who has as much experience as this man does definitely has a place to say something on the issue. This book is not just for teaching music, it's about teaching intelligently in general. I'd recommend it to anyone who is a teacher, wants to be a teacher, or wants to understand teaching in a way that the state and lawmakers never seem to see. An excellent, intelligent read, I definitely feel as though my philosophies and theories on teaching have been effected and revised.

I have used this book for a music education graduate seminar and this fall I will be using it with student teachers. The students have found it to be thought-provoking, and the readings have led to meaningful class discussions. The essays can be helpful for new teachers, or veterans of the music classroom at all levels. Duke presents principles of teaching and learning with applications in many settings. I will continue to use this book for the preparation of music teachers.