Educational Books

Jane Kern presented a realistic, detailed picture of the challenges she faced when creating a quality school. The detailed events, hurdles, outcomes, and fellowship bonds allow the reader to actualize her experiences. A must read for educators creating a charter, magnet or private school. As the founding principal of MAST Academy, a USDOE Blue Ribbon School of Excellence,I related to the passion, energy, conviction, anddetermination Jane demonstrated in the school'sevolving years. The leadership, competency, fellowship, and pride among the faculty, parents, students and administration helped create a fabulous school. Well done!

An open, heartfelt look at a school, from beginning to present. Jane held nothing back - she wrote her feelings, her inspirations and most importantly, about the issues and accomplishments that make Seacrest Country Day School what it is today. My kids are going to read this so they, too, can truly appreciate the efforts and caring that have made their school so unique and special. A truly wonderful book written with love and dedication by a special lady about her incredible journey.

Dr. Kern, her students and their parents have developed a solution to the impasse currently plaguing education. How does one strike a balance between the cookie cutter method of teaching and methods allowing children more freedom of choice in devloping their interests? Hers is a fresh approach and the results speak for themselves. Anyone interested in bettering our schools should read this book.

Dr. Kern is a woman with a mission and extraordinary persistance. She inspires others to take on the cause. Jane offers the enthusiasm and a plan to make it happen.

As local business owners and community volunteers to help children the book gives us new meaning and a desire to practice Jane's ideas.

A must book for anyone interested in community work to help better educate children

For all involved in the education of America's youth, Dr. Jane Kern's INVENTING A SCHOOL:EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF LEARNING is a must read. She provides a message and a challenge to parents, teachers, teaching assistants, leaders, members of the board, the office staff, custodians, groundskeepers, and yes, students, especially aspiring educators. This is a how-to book authored by one who has been in the arena and who won. Dr. Kern shows how inspired enlightened leadership, teamwork, dedication, and detemination can and will revitalize the American education system, both privately as well as publically funded.

Lest make things clear form the start, I am from a beautifully country (Chile) that have over 90% of students in voucher schools, some private, some municipal, the proportion in Municipal schools is going down year to year, parents are moving to private-held schools, and municipal students numbers goes down, from overt 75% some years ago to below 50% now, and continues to shrink. It looks like that parents, if they have the possibility; they move to better-performing schools.

The simple power behind the general success of U.S. is the ability (and liberty) of persons to walk-out and obtain the service elsewhere, it puzzled me that a so simple, and sensible, idea has a significant part of the educators against it. When people spoke of liberty, in general, is fine, when people spoke of liberty to choose school is bad.

This is why I bought this book; I like to understand the position of anti-vouchers, maybe I got convinced, but I don't, the book is a compelling list of thinks going bad in municipal school today, and shows a supposed path to improve things, by developing an action plan to have better municipal schools, the tool to convince of the necessity of change is fear, fear that if they don't improve the vouchers are coming!

The book is a starling list of things that make for underperforming municipal schools, from School boards managed by conflicting interest groups, to curricula reform (that that author suggests is not working)and a hope that this time they have a working plan to improve municipal schools, the necessity of making system changes, but the author also recognizes than this are the kind of changes more difficult to obtain. The chapter "Changing the system" start with along list of difficulties to change, including to assess than "Structural changes that is not supported by cultural changes will eventually overwhelmed by the culture" after such strong expression one a the right to think that Mr. Schlechty is on a vain trail, as cultural changes are the most difficult to do.

Well, they have plenty of time to try this path or another or another, in the mean time they will keep children chained to his local municipal school, simply, by negating the possibility that they move with is tax money elsewhere.

Inventing Better Schools provides a rare opportunity for school administrators to to 'look over the shoulder' of a successful practitioner of educational reform.

Schlechty (pronounced Schlek-ty) predicates the teaching program on the belief that it is the teachers' jobs to actually ENGAGE students in meaningful learning. A radical idea!

He states: "Viewing students as a customer places the the school in the position of accepting the proposition that the school's obligation is to invent work sufficiently attractive that the students engarge in it voluntarily. (Coercion may gain compliance, but it does not produce engagement and commitment.

It is the obligation of the school and the teacher to invent work that attracts the attention and compels the energy of students, for it is in inventing products that customers will buy that a customer- focused business creates the conditions of its own survival."

Across the world the public school system is under threat and Phil Schlechty provides the most practical scenario for its survival that I have read.

** We are starting a school administrators' reading group/ discussion forum in our district and this text is our starting point. Over 30 principals nominated to be in this program in two days.

First and foremost this book is so well organized it made it a pleasure to read. Schlechty clearly outlines and summarizes all 12 chapters in the Preface. Don't miss it! This book is not a light topic ~ so focusing the reader where the author was headed was greatly appreciated.

Schlechty claims that American public schools are in urgent need for dramatic improvement or they take the risk of becoming extinct. And the key to improving the schools is the quality of the work students are provided. Students need to be engaged in their learning and their work should reflect relevance to their needs to become socially and academically prepared for the next century. He says all students are entitled to a high quality of education. I couldn't agree more!

Here are two other aspects that I found powerful about this book (besides the organization style). 1) Schlechty clearly states what he perceives the problem is with American public schools and how he came to that conclusion and 2) he then provides the reader with an aggressive cookbook style solution to the problem (the action plan).

The author lives up to the title, Inventing Better Schools An Action Plan for Educational Reform.

I recommend this book to anyone who cares about our children's future: parents, students, educators, administrators, community leaders, superintendents, business leaders, etc. because it takes ALL of US to make the changes needed to Invent Better Schools and this book is a great starting point.

Inventing Better Schools, An Action Plan for Educational Reform, by Phillip C. Schlechty, is a must read for those interested in educational reform in the public schools including teachers, administrators, schools boards, and local educational leaders. Any district wishing to make systemic changes may wish to use this book to provide a common starting point for reform dialogue.

Schlechty presents his case as to the urgent need for public school reform and challenges educators to redefine what their role is in providing quality education for students. His two basic tenants for the urgent need for reform is the fear that public education could be lost to a voucher system and the increased need for people to have adaptive skills to be successful in an information based society.

The starting point for educational reform is the basic mission of schooling. Schlechty states, "The aim of schooling is an educated citizenry, but the core business of schooling is engaging students in work that results in their learning what they need to learn to be viewed as well educated in American society (page 31)." In his philosophy, if schools are looked at as a business, students are the primary customers.

Inventing Better Schools emphasizes that reform efforts in the past fail because the changes are not embodied by the whole organization and the culture that surrounds the schools. All stakeholders need to be involved in the reform process. To enable systemic change, four key questions need to be answered before by educational leaders:
1. Why is change needed?
2. What kind of change is needed and what will it mean for us when the change comes about?
3. Is what we are being asked to do really possible? Has it been done before? By whom? Can we see it in practice?
4. How do we do it? What skills do we need and how will they be developed (page 208)?
In the appendix, two districts provide examples of what goals and action plans they have by answering key questions like the ones above.

Take the time to read Inventing Better Schools, An Action Plan for Educational Reform before spending enormous amounts of energy on efforts that may only have limited lasting impact on education. Schlechty sums up his mission when he writes, "...great leaders are needed if real change is to occur. My hope is that this book will find such leaders and that they will find this book useful (page 185)."

Few authors have been able to write a more practical and informative guide to reforming the American educational system than Phillip Schlecthy. He explains both the postive and negative aspects of education today and provides strategies for redesigning schools to become focused on producing high quality, engaging work for students. Thought-provoking questions are included as tools to help districts transform as well as cases studies which exemplify effective educational reform. Inventing Better Schools is revolutionary, thorough and bound to make an impact on anyone who is serious about revitalizing American schools

This great children's book manages to cover the rich history of Notre Dame football in 40 engaging and colorful pages. From Rockne and the Gipper, from the great coaches and teams of the '40s and '50, from Ara and Joe Montana, from Lou Holtz and Tim Brown, and including all the lore and mystique that makes Irish football one-of-a-kind, this book has it all. A terrific way to introduce kids to the game, Notre Dame, and their ABCs. Highly recommended.

Have purchased this book several times now for kids of fellow ND grads - it has turned out to be a big hit with their parents. First saw it in the ND bookstore and relieved it is now available via Amazon.

A great gift for all Irish fans. Easy for kids to understand and fun for older Irish fans to remember the legends. Wonderful photos, too. In fact, it's not hard to envision older Irish fans reading this aloud and reminiscing!

Our family has so enjoyed this book! It captures the entire Notre Dame football experience--from legends of the game to the marching band and the Irish Guard. It's the perfect Christmas gift for any ND fan (and also makes a wonderful baby shower present.)

This is a great book for the future ND fan. The pictures are vibrant and each letter has an enjoyable story that brings out the lessons of ND Football to even the youngest fan.

I know of a person who became Muslim after reading this book due to its simplicity. It is widely used in Islamic schools and very simple to get into. I used it when I wanted to return to practising Islam and it made it all seem very clear. Well worth it for young Muslims and for those new to Islam. Highly recommended. H

I love this book, it introduces important terms in Arabic by using transliterations and stresses the importance of learning Arabic. The book clearly and accurately introduces Islam and it's five pillars. Mr. Sarwar does a very good job on giving details in areas that warrant them (i.e. Salat).
One of the best parts of this is the different review questions at the end of each chapter that are organized according to age range, it makes sure that the right things are learned according to the age group. I use all the questions to review and I'm 27!
Well worth getting, even if it is used or new! Paying full price would not be something you would regret.

Probably the best of its kind. Simple and easy to understand it covers the basics of Islam including a detailed description of the washing before the prayer, the prayer with both the Arabic, transliteration and translation. Picture diagrams are also featured in how to perform the prayer. Chapters of the Quran are also translated with transliteration and a brief biography of the Prophet Muhammad is also included.

For the price, this is well worth the money and highly recomended to anyone wanting to know the basics of the Muslim faith.

Most excellent book - the usual one I recommend to everybody as it is very easy to read and understand, and doesn't generally go over people's heads when it comes to terminologies and the like. This is the same book I send people who are interested in Islam or give as presents to those who do not know that much about it, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Highly recommended. The only bad point out of the whole book is the fact that they have a small error in one of the transliterations for the surahs - specifically surah (chapter) masad (number 111) where it misses one letter. Aside from that, it is a great book. for [the price], what more could you ask for?

This book is probably the best book there is for newly converts to Islam. It does a very good job of explaining the materal that a new Muslim needs to know to practice there faith.

We love the "Jump at the Sun" books. I have bought almost all of them for my 4 year old daughter. She is at the age when she is *so* enchanted with all things "princess," and I am so sick of the lily-white Disney ones. Having these fairy-tales told with African-american characters is a wonderful change. The stories are pretty much as you would remember them -- the only difference is the color of the characters skin. I recommend this book to any little girl ages 2 to 7 -- no matter who she is.

Beautifully illustrated with gloriously vivid colors, this book and ALL the others in this series/collection are wonderful. The adaptations in text and in the illustrations are masterful and clever. I wish these books were available when I was growing up!

I bought a copy of all the jump at the Sun Fairytale classics. I added it to my multiculture collection in my classroom. These books are ones that many kids continually gravitate to and is a lovely way to include different ethnicity to a "traditional" fairytale.

I recommend this book to every little girl, and not just African American little girls. We should have more stories to show another images for our young ones. (Thumbs UP)!!!!

I bought all of the JATS fairy tales for my girls. It is great to have books that feature black girls but are not ABOUT being black. Our kids want some fantasy too. The one problem I have is the a few of the JATS books (including this one) feature villians that may be too threatening for very young kids (mine are 2 & 4). In this book, the beast threatens Beauty's father by saying that he will die by by the end of the day for stealing roses. There are at least two others that use an explicit threat of death against the hero or heroine. It's just not a topic I want to discuss with my kids because the older one if afraid of it already. Just a warning for parents who have not really discussed death with their kids.

Timeless classic, brilliantly written, the characters could be any nationality engaged in war. As in intense situations where people are grouped together who normally would not find themselves so, there is the measure of each man summed up beautifully and poignantly. The kinship of where they are and what they are about makes for interesting reading. The simple set, and the small group of characters deepen as do the shadows, darken as does the night, and awaken with the dawn's light. Subtle humor keeps the spirits of the men alive, but tempers flare, cowardice is contained, and glory is achieved in different forms to each man. The ending in particular, leaves the reader with much to think about; to admire the human spirit, as well as to mourn within the human condition, and finally, that which can be lost senselessly.

The theatrical power of "Journey's End" is only heightened by the humor in the details of each day's living in the face of certain death. The playwright's craft in characterization and circumstance raises the work past the "war play" genre to the level of human tragedy for its period and for all time. Lucky, too, for anyone interested, that there is a first-rate production on view this season (2005) at the Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, just over the border north of Naigara Falls.

A true classic about life in the trenches. The writer served with an infantry regiment for most of the war and it shows. The play is sharp and spare. A truly remarkable work. I discovered it by accident. Read this play. And cross your fingers that one day you can see it on stage. Mine are.

Excellent play. Excellent poignancy. Excellent subtlety. For English, I had to write another ending for the play and it served me so well. Stanhope's bottled emotions versus Raleigh's incomprehension of everything creates an extremely powerful juxta-POS-ition. To read it is a pretty good experience. But to see the TV version with Timothy Spall as Trotter is something else entirely. Wicked. Aye.

As far as I know, this is the only play R C Sherriff ever wrote, and that is one of the greatest tragedies of the twentieth century. There have been various theatrical productions - including the Jason Connery/Nicky Henson production at the Whitehall theatre which captured absolutely the poignant, black humour of the piece. This drama, set in the trenches has everything - comedy, tragedy, history, despair and hope. I studied this piece at school and it has made a lasting impression on me. Captain Stanhope and Uncle will have a place in my heart for ever...

I read the book Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express.

This book is exciting and filled with suspense. The story begins on a girl's family farm that is flooding, near a train trestle that has been destroyed. The girl, Kate Shelley, tries to save two rail workers who have fallen into the river. She realizes that the midnight train with 200 people on board will be coming and that it will fall off the bridge too unless it is warned.

I learned some interesting facts. Kate used a lantern to light her way in the storm. When she finally reached the station, a telegraph was used to warn the train. The storm was so bad Kate's lantern blew out and 40 miles of telegraph lines went out.

I would recommend this book for three reasons. This is a true story about a courageous girl who lived in the 1800's. The story is exciting and filled with danger. It shows that one person can make a difference.

Kate Shelly and the Midnight Express is an amazing book.

I read Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express for my April book report. I enjoyed this book because it was so exciting and filled with suspense. The story begins on a girl's family farm that is flooding, near a train trestle that has been destroyed. The girl, Kate Shelley, tries to stop a train from falling off the wrecked trestle. This is a true story about a courageous girl who lived in the 1800's. This story is filled with suspense and danger. This is an amazing book.

The pictures went along very well with the story. That was a good idea to make the book because it is good to write stories about the past, living in the country and saving people. The book was very good, a little hard, but it was a good story. I understood it very well. My teacher was talking about it. She said it was before WW1.

This book is a "must have" for your child's collection! Not only is this heroic account a wonderful piece of history, but it is also a very good lesson on the power of prayer. I read it to my 1st-3rd grade Bible class along with scriptures on prayer. My students' attention didn't waver for a moment while I read this book to them.

In the story, Kate's mother at first begs her not to attempt to rescue those in a train wreck. Rather than disobey her mother, 15-year-old Kate reasons with her and obtains her permission to go. Her widowed mother promises that their family will be praying for her. Kate then risks her life to save many others. When a tree in the flood waters is just about to collide with the bridge Kate is on, she prays and it is suddenly pulled under the water. Do you suppose Kate succeeds in her mission to save over 200 people? Read this book. You won't be sorry!

This is a wonderful story about a real-life girl whose personal heroism stopped a train from wrecking on a collapsed bridge. This story was profiled on PBS's "Reading Rainbow" program, hosted by Levar Burton. Actor Brian Dennehy narrated the version on PBS. Kate Shelley was a young girl who lived in a small Iowa farmhouse. Near the house, a railroad line crossed a stream called Honey Creek. One night, there was a terrible storm. Kate and her family heard an engine moving on the line to check the bridge -- but then the bridge collapsed, the engine went down, and the Midnight Express was coming! Kate had to make it to the nearest station, but that was across another bridge.... You will have to read the book to find out the rest for yourself. You and your children will love this book!!

I regularly teach 4th trough 6th grade kids on Sundays where they expect to have some kind of craft to do each week, which is not easy to come up with every week. I have used several of the level 3 crafts from this book, which were well received by the kids. I think that I will get a few more good crafts out of this book. The level 1 and 2 level craft are too simple for this age group, but I am sure would be fine K through 3rd grade kids.

This is the most useable kids art lesson book I've ever seen! I like the creative ideas that use things I have on hand or are inexpensive to buy!

I love this book for art projects for my homeschooled K & 2nd grade girls. The activities have levels and you can look in the back of the book for projects grouped by level or medium. I have taken some of the activities and changed them to work for everything from K-3rd grade. The projects use basic supplies and have instructions and then further ideas on how to use the ideas presented.

Teachers and parents, don't miss this art resource for your kids! The author has done a wonderful job of compiling a variety of activities using a variety of materials, at a range of skill levels. I have completed a few of these projects with students aged 6-16, and they have turned out great. The materials are easily obtained, the projects generally uncomplicated, and the instructions clearly illustrated and easy to follow.

Projects include designs and pictures made with paint, glue, string, sand, cut-out paper shapes, markers, foil, beans, macaroni, glitter, plants, fabric. Techniques include drawing, experimenting with shape, line, texture and color, contrasting shapes and colors, stamping, splatter and spin, weaving, shadowboxes, 3-D sculptures of various materials, crayon resist, sponge painting. Not only can all these projects keep your kids being creative, they really turn out attractive. I have several art books for children by this same publisher and they are all excellent.

Fabulous and fantastic!!! I teach K-8 at a Catholic school and this book is an invaluable resource. The projects are incredibly fun and easy to understand ( with step-by-step instructions and illustrations also rated with a level for different ages and abilites) and at the same time very educational in teaching color, design, and texture.

Fantastic. These books are the best I have found to find pictures to use as templets or stencils for designs to paint on silk.

I bought a few coloring books, but this one is my favorite so far. The pictures are easy to color. I like the little explanations on the flowers as well.

The images in this coloring book are well drawn and well thought out. The variety of flowers is quite nice. This will be a pleasure to color and give hours of pleasure to kids and adults alike. Top notch, well worth the purchase price.

Once again beautiful pictures that any adult would love to fill in and frame. If your child loves flowers then this is the book for them. Very mature, beautiful drawings of elegant flowers.

I just purchased these Dover COloring Books for my mother and she loves them. The detail is out of this world and the variety of colors you can use are only limited by your inagination. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

this book covers many important aspects, and thouroughly discusses everything it has set out to. The chapters are broken down sensibly into meaningful sections, handy for speed reading. Not nearly as painful or dry as I had feared.

Great book, I needed it for class. It provided a lot of detail on the specific cases that have made the changes in special education through the years.

Excellent source book for both the novice or experienced pracitioner. Very helpful, concise and comprehensive

I bought it for one class and have used it for every class. I use it everyday and would not want to be without it.

This book is a must-have for educators. Since the push for inclusion means many students with disabilities are entering regular schools and classrooms with their peers, it is of great worth that the regular teacher as well as the special education teachers know the background of the laws that pertain to these students with diverse needs. It would be beneficial to both students, teachers, and parents to know and understand how the laws are applied in court, what an IEP is, what is expected of the teachers, and what can be expected of the students. I have the other major law books on disability laws, but this one is more geared toward other participants in the process besides lawyers. It is very readable and very understandable without having to go to law school to get a background in law first. I suggest this or rather recommend this to my friends and students who are interested in working with those with disabilities in regular school settings. Karen Sadler Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu