Educational Books

The Appalachian carol "I Wonder as I Wander" has a haunting melody - and words with staying power. *Perhaps* it came to the attention of American balladeer John Jacob Niles as described in this story. And the sweet, poignant words *may* tell about young Annie wrestling with the loss of her mother and the struggles of an itinerant life that followed.

The author's imagination paints word-pictures that artist Ron Himler shares in watercolor for our delight. Annie questioned God, honestly, with innocence and hope. Today when we hear that song we will feel the beauty of Christmas, while the hope lingers year 'round.

We have many wonderings of our own. Sharing these with our children is important, as is opening their eyes to the values 'grown' during the Depression years.

This is a book all ages will eagerly read together. WHY aren't special titles like this shelved in 'adult fiction' for more readers to discover?

Set during the hard times of the Great Depression, Wonder As I Wander by Gwenyth Swain is the enchanting picture book story of Annie Morgan, a young girl pondering the mysteries of life. Annie wonders how her beloved mother could have died in the spring, when the land was full of life; how her wandering preacher father will pay for gas and food when he gives away so much to the poor; and why a sheriff won't let her father preach on the courthouse square. A haunting, evocative, and emotional story, superbly illustrated Ronald Himler with windswept colors, Wonder As I Wander is especially recommended for young readers ages 5 to 8.

'Ornery' was what Annie Morgan's father called her in "I Wonder as I Wander," the 2003 story (Eerdmans) of an Appalachian carol that has become a favorite at Christmas-time: "...the way Papa tells it Annie was too fine a name for the kind of baby I was -- full of fire and vinegar. So, all of a snap, he took to calling me Ornery." The author, Gwenyth Swain, dedicated the book to a friend of the family who used to call her 'Ornery'.

The story tells how John Jacob Niles, premier collector of mountain folk tunes, discovered the young girl singing in a village square to divert the local sheriff from insisting that her preacher-father move on. Niles persuaded Annie to sing the verses over and over until he had them written down to his satisfaction, and the words were preserved for generations to come.

The drawings by award-winning illustrator Ron Himler fit the story beautifully, and coincidentally show Annie's father strongly resembling the Swain grandfather of the author!

SAVOR THIS STORY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

I know this song. I have sung it as a solo and directed choirs to sing it. The words and the music combine to make a beautiful sadness...a sense of being alone and yet peaceful. Gwenyth Swain has used her imagination and sensitivity to create a story of the song's beginning and Ronald Himler has added perfect illlustrations. The characterization of Annie Morgan and her Father is written and illustrated without a flaw. It is a lovely book, one to share with a friend no matter what age. It is sure to bring a tear to your eye.

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 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!

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!

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.

I haven't used it much, but it seems well organized and packed full of ideas. It arrived in nice condidtion.

Easy to use lesson plans with out all the searching. The kids loved it!

This book contains lots of wonderful activities to keep your preschooler or preschool class busy learning. The activities are grouped into sections based on what skill or topic they most relate to (ie fine motor skills, large motor skills, developing an interest in science, language skills, critical thinking). Each section is loaded with hands on active learning activities geared for preschoolers. Most of the supplies needed are items you will have around the house and are about ready to pitch. My personal favorite is the "Is the cup full" experiment. I use these with my kids at home. There are some activities that are geared for larger groups but most can be done individually. Whether you are an early childhood educator or a mom looking for quick activities to keep your young child busy, I would recommend this book.

This book is absolutely wonderful. I bought it for homeschooling my youngest child and I really liked it. It has all the ideas u will ever need as well as what u need to do the things it suggests. There are many games to play and stories to go with the ideas presented. If you follow this book u will not need another.

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.

As a homeschooling parent of a high schooler all I can say in reviewing this product is the following:

THANK YOU, MARGARET LIAL AND COHORTS, FOR EXTENDING AN EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCT!!

Thanks so much for the textbook, you saved my life. The bookstore wanted 75.00, but you had it for only 23.00...that was stellar. Quick shipping, friendly service...what more can I say. Other buyers, do not hesitate. This seller rocks!!!!!!

Good Exercises and Examples,follows my childs High School Algebra every step of the way. The only problem is the web site is not working yet, but the book is worth more than it is sold for.

I love the way this book has you work out problems in the margins as you go through the reading. This makes sure that you understand the work that you've read about, before you go on to the next piece. I also like the fact that every other odd problem is solved step-by-step in the back of the book.

My 3-year old daughter loves this book. It's perfectly repetitive, and it's a great message. A great gift.

My 2-year-old daughter would listen to this book a dozen times a day, and it's likewise MY favorite book to read aloud. A few weeks ago, I put it away to give it a rest. When I pulled the book out yesterday and started to read it, she gave it a hug and said "I love this book!"

This is a great rhyming book for children, and I found it very fun to read to my son at bedtime. The language is silly, but it has a delightful cadence and rhythm. The illustrations are big and dynamic, with lots of interesting detail. I highly recommend this book for bedtime, or just reading time; its great.

This is a wonderful book. It is a joy to read over and over. The illustrations are marvelous. I have bought this for many friends.

My daughters eyes were sparkling when I showed her this book. "Cinderella is beautiful" were her exact words. She loves that she looks just like her. I was surprised to find these books on Amazon and have purchased most of the series. This is truly a blessing to our family.

Jump at the Sun is filling a WIDE gap in the market with these classic fairy-tales by satisfying some of the long-unmet interests of African-descent populations. Our American culture is FLOODED with images (photographed or drawn) of European-descent individuals that imply the following message: "This is how beauty is defined." Think about it: when is the last time you have seen a truly dark-skinned, thick-lipped individual whom the mainstream media or Hollywood have boldly declared as beautiful, or even attractive?

It is, indeed, good to open up this beautifully illustrated adaptation of Cinderella with my two little princesses, and help shape their concept of beauty, affirm their sense of self-esteem, and build upon their positive self-image. We've had the book for a couple of years now, and they still enjoy reading it (and looking at the illustrations!).

This is a lovely story that is appropriate for all ages. My girls loved it. It is nice to have fantasy books that feature black girls. I was tired of all their books either having pictures of white children or being about being proud of being black. Sometimes they just want to read a fun fairy tale that happens to feature brown faces. My kids are two and four...not ready to be in the struggle just yet.

This is one of my favorites of this book series because it makes the whole princess stage that all little girls go through accessible to little girls of color. My four year old loves seeing that a princess can look like her. I was thrilled to find this book.