Ball Books

The book is called "Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development". As the title indicates, it contains a number of "cases" for teachers to study and discuss, as they learn to implement high-level mathematics tasks successfully. The strength of the book is that it is organized around QUASAR's "Mathematical Tasks Framework". This framework trains teachers to analyze mathematics tasks as being at any of a number of levels: Doing Mathematics; Procedures With Connections; Procedures Without Connections; Unsystematic Exploration; Nonmathematical Activity.

QUASAR has found that tasks tend to degrade, i.e., they can be designed at a high level ("doing mathematics" or "procedures with connections") but migrate to a "lower" level either when the teacher initially sets up the lesson, or as the lesson procedes (the "implementation" phase). Their data (which I've seen in other studies, not this case-book) demonstrates that student achievement is enhanced when the task is designed, set up, and IMPLEMENTED at a high level. The case-book describes factors that cause a high-level task either to be implemented at a high level, or to degrade. Then, it provides cases (i.e., classroom teaching episodes described in great detail)in which one or the other happens, and helps teachers analyze why. Not only are the cases themselves very useful for learning: the process of analyzing the cases gives teachers the skills they need to analyze their OWN lessons.

I picked this book up in Bisbee, AZ on a recent trip. Expecting it to be dull and academic, I was delighted to find it is great reading. I could slowly read a chapter or two each night and LEARN something of what life was like for an Apache who was a boy during the last "Indian wars" of the southwest.

It has always fascinated me that this huge country was only recently occupied largely by people such as the Apaches. White people and their "civilization" were still just building their way, one stick at a time, toward a new world of artifice and hypocrisy to surround the native people of North America.

This is a rare find! Eve Ball has helped preserve some important Apache oral history translated to written form

Broken into sections on such topics as the Virginia constitution, the US constitution, religious liberty, and slavery, this edition assembles Jefferson's personal letters, bills in the virginia legislature, excerpts from his autobiography and even presidential addresses. Put together, they give us a great chunk of Jeffersonaian thought (libertarianism, anti-federalism, republicanism) and even insights into his personal life (yes, "dialogue between the head and the heart" is here; Peronally, I like reading that one aloud).

The only criticisms I have are that the editing could've used a little alacrity. In that most of the items herein are personal letters which refer to specific historical events, persons, and goings on, the editors lack of introductory paragraphs, guiding footnotes, or references is a glaring omission. Now, I've studied most of the events and had only marginal trouble filling in details, but I pity she who has not read Jefferson before trying to make sense of the contexts without which the letters lose at least a bit of importance. Long and short: if you're familiar with Jefferson in detail, this is a great read. If not, read a good biography first.

(Before I go, I should point out that for those used to the dry style of Jefferson's autobiography and "Notes on Virginia", his letters are so much more pleasent to read. He is terse, vivacious, and quite informal, by contrast. Don't let memories of late night slogs through "Notes on Virginia" dissuade you from this collection.)

What are you standing there for? Procure this volume for your illustrious and most magnificent library!

When I was a child, I absolutely loved the Peanuts, and I am so pleased that my own children have now fallen in love with those same funny characters. This book is large and attractive, with brightly colored pictures that are sure to please the young reader (and Peanuts fans of all ages)! My children and I highly recommend this book to you!

When watching the Peanuts on television or reading the comics, I didn't realize how funny Marcie was. She is a deadpan riot next to the seriously focused Peppermint Patty. Patty is trying to get Marcie involved in the process of football, while Marcie does not really care one way or the other.

This book is a really good introduction into subtle humor for children. I was smiling throughout this book. At one point, I was shocked in a funny way as to how Marcie tackled Peppermint Patty.

Children need to be introduced to humor and Kick the Ball, Marcie fits the bill.

Nice job, Cari!