Educational Books

Several small groups in my church are using this little book, augmenting the book with the DVD in which Bishop Job talks about the three simple rules--Do no harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God. We are buying it by the boxful and hope to use it as a starting place in building a congregation that practices the faith in a more deliberate way.

This is a wonderful little hardcover volume which, if implemented, will revolutionize your life. John Wesley espoused three simple rules: Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God. Though these rules sound amazingly simple - and they are - yet to actually practice them may indeed be the hardest thing you've ever done. This small book shows how difficult the instructions of Jesus (and Wesley) can be in real life, and yet how rewarding they can also be both in this life and in the life to come, if we simply take them to heart.

The main point is to stay in love with God. If we do this, the rest will follow. As Bishop Job says, "Holy living will not be discovered, achieved, continued, and sustained without staying in love with God. And while staying in love with God involves prayer worship, study, and the Lord's Supper, it also involves feeding the lambs, tending the sheep, and providing for the needs of others (John 21:15-16). Feeding the lambs and tending the sheep are the signs of love that we exchange with God. And they are signs of the love that the world can understand. Spiritual disciplines not only include practices that bind us to God every day but they also include actions that heal the pain, injustice, and inequality of our world. It is impossible to stay in love with God and not desire to see God's goodness and grace shared with the entire world." (p. 58).

This inexpensive little volume, taken seriously by the Church of Jesus, could well ignite a holy reality that burns hot with the fire of God in our day.

Retired United Methodist Bishop Rueben Job's "Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living" (2007, 77-page pocket sized hardback) is a handy quick read commentary for John Wesley's General Rules. This small book suggests to believers the profound nature of boldly loving God. Indeed, the good bishop is determined that his readers return love for love, in Jesus Christ.

Along with Wesley, Job begins with Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:29-31 as the biblical warrants for Christian love. We believers are to love God and others unconditionally! This book reminds that there are no other rules for Christians as important.

In three chapters (on doing no harm, on doing good, and on loving God) and one appendix (litanies for the use of prayer in drawing oneself closer to God) pastor Job offers a daily guide that encourages and matures the Christian walk. This is a Wesleyan spiritualist's self-help.

The downside of this great little book is its dearth of stories and illustrations for making the good bishop's points. One wishes for more narrative from Job's long and accomplished career as he speaks for Wesley's rules. A few stories would have barely increased the length of this book while broadened its scope (helping, perhaps, to make the General Rules more preachable and shareable). Narrative scarcity, here, prevents more stars.

This book is recommended to all new to Wesley's General Rules, novice Christians, Christian spiritualists, seminarians, and Christians-in-training.

Excellent book...quick reading. Book arrived ahead of time. In new condition. Well protected.

My 17-month-old son loves this book. In fact, it is the first non-board book he has really shown interest in. He brings it to me to read several times a day. He particularly likes the pages with one word/sound (splash, yaaaaah). He thinks it is funny and likes to imitate the sounds in the book.

Before reading, "Tiger On a Tree", I hadn't really considered the American lack of children's books from India. I mean, if you stopped the average bloke on the street and asked him to name a British children's book, you'd probably get some kind of an answer. Probably Harry Potter. If you asked for an Australian children's book you'd have more difficulties but at least 1 out of 100 people might know of one. But ask someone to name an Indian children's book and all you're gonna get is blank stares. Unless you ask someone Indian, of course. Then you might learn something. And what you might learn is just how great Anushka Ravishankar's, "Tiger On a Tree" is. With very simple words, a story that's interesting while still remaining pretty darn basic, and some wildly original illustrations, "Tiger On a Tree" is bound to garner itself some enthusastic preschool fans. Especially if they've a yen for tigers.

In this tale, an almost perpetually amused large cat is on a kind of journey. It goes down to a shore, crosses a river, scares an animal, and climbs a tall tree. One of the local fisherman sees the tiger perched and shouts the alarm. Soon all the men in the village have gathered to discuss the treed feline. They set up a net around the perimeter of the tree and the tiger (no longer looking amused at its own adventures) is scared out of the branches by a cacophony of loud instruments, and straight into the trap. Catching a tiger is one thing. Figuring out what to do with him next is another entirely. The men come up with some interesting ideas (one of the most interesting being to, "Paint him an electric blue"). Finally, however, they figure the best thing is to let him go. The final picture shows the now once again elated kitty bounding on the opposite shore, away from the river's banks.

The other day, I had someone ask (I'm a children's librarian) if I could recommend some rhyming picture books that were similar to the kinds of simple words used by Dr. Seuss. Now, no one beats the Seuss. He sort of invented the whole idea of simple words making fun books. And while I was able to find plenty of simple books, few rhymed all the way through. Should I ever receive this request again, I'm going to pluck "Tiger On a Tree" from my shelves immediately. The words in this book never get much longer than "rubbish" and are perfect for children just beginning to read. Words are presented in a black easy-to-distinguish font, large on each page (making them ideal for children with sight impediments as well). The illustrations are an entirely different matter altogether. Unfortunately, the publication page doesn't say how illustrator Pulak Biswas created the book's images. In some ways, they resemble woodcuts. In other ways, they look like broad black brushstrokes. The only color in the book is an occasional shock of orange. Whether the orange of the net to catch the tiger, the orange of the tiger's stripes, or the orange of the sun above, Biswas's palette is used sparingly and well.

If I had my way, library's bookshelves would be filled with picture books from as many countries as possible. For now, however, we will have to be content to read the occasional gem like "Tiger On a Tree" on our own and hope for more in the future.

Anushka Ravishankar's best known book, Tiger on a Tree, is a brilliant adventure story woven with the bold, expressive drawings of Pulak Biswas, not to mention the integrated design of Rathna Ramanathan. It shows humor and compassion, and, as with most of Ravishankar's work, has a touch of absurdity. Be sure not to miss the subtle expressions on the faces of the tiger and Indian villagers. For those who enjoy this book, I recommend Catch That Crocodile (another joint project with Pulak Biswas), as well as the many other Ravishankar works, including Excuse Me, Is This India? and Today is My Day.

Short dialoge, dynamic yet adorable illustrations, and a classic adventure story combine perfectly in this book to create a story that deserves to win awards. Very Highly Recommended.

Riane Eisler's new book is a stunning contribution to multicultural pedagogy. Using her macrohistorical theory of dominator/partnership swings, she offers a new framework, structure and content for education. This is one of the most important books to come around in a long time. I hope my children will grow up in a world that has realized the blue print for partnership education that she offers. Rigourously argued, detailed in documentation, this book offers and creates a new future for all.

Tomorrow's Children is an innovative and remarkable book for the contemporary educator. It provides an indepth understanding of the struggles of teaching and is an amazing resource for people looking to reform the educational framework of our country. This book needs to be in the hands of every parent, teacher and educator.

Eisler puts forth a formula for hope for a future that works for everyone. It does start with the children and every teacher AND parent should read this book...PLEASE!

Cudos to the author for putting forth a recipe for a more hopeful future for the world.

Riane Eisler's Tomorrow's Children is a thought provoker and conversation starter. So many education books are about getting the knowledge and skills to "fit in" to society's opportunities. Tomorrow's Children challenges the reader to expand their vision and expectations of education. This follow-up to the Chalice and the Blade offers practical and hopeful examples of how to access the "hidden curriculum" beyond textbooks and polemics. If you want to know how to find materials to encourage meaningful and relevant learning, this book is for you. If you want to know the specifics of making change in your local schools (concerning the content, process and structure of education) this book is for you. If you are interested in finding kindred spirits to promote practical examples of collaborative problem-solving, a peaceful response to adversity, gender equity,and environmental sensitivity this book is for you. If you appreciate thoughtful and thorough and careful writing free from jargon this book is for you. If you are interested in specific references of books, websites, curriculum packages and supportive organizations this book is for you. I am a Professor of Education. I am fussy about what I read in this field. I am drawn to clear and concise writing which honors the intelligence of the reader. Tomorrow's Children does not disappoint.

If you are a new teacher or a veteran this book is a great resource to help with notes, graphic organizers and literature ideas. The templates are user friendly and explained very well. A must for the classroom!

Jim Burke created (and compiled) a lot of useful graphic organizers in this book. Each organizer comes with the author's explanation and examples. The book is my most useful toolbook in my collection. It helps my teacher and student learning. Highly recommended!

This is my FAVORITE teaching book. It has graphic organizers that are neither too simple nor too challenging for high school level students, and better yet, examples of how to use each. A must-have for all English teachers!

Tools for Thought: Graphic Organisers for Your Classroom
by Jim Burke

Books on graphic organisers & visual tools have generally fascinated me for more than two decades, probably in the light of my own personal interests in visual thinking. Also, my strategy consultancy work with adults & teens in helping them to navigate reading materials is a contributing factor. I have already amassed a large collection of them in my personal library.

Strategically & tactically, I am a avid practitioner of visual thinking. When I read, I always annotate in the margins. I also strenuously use the MindManager Pro & SmartDraw Pro to support all my reading - & thinking - pursuits. All the interesting ideas captured in my marginal annotations - & insights from my reflections & assimilations - are alway transformed into mind-maps &/or mind-scapes.

This book has recently entered my library. It has been written by a English Language teacher. Therefore, I noted that the book has an obvious slant towards applications in language arts.

There are twenty six tools listed in the table of contents & twenty four of them are illustrated graphically in the Toolbox: Visual Directory of the Tools. Each tool has its own description, notes & examples, assessment standards as well as application possiblities. From the teaching standpoint, the inclusion of thirty two reproducible tools for classroom use is certainly an added benefit for teachers.

The 'Annotations' on page 1 is definitely not a graphic organiser. The author admitted that "it looks a little different from the other tools, yet it is no less a tool." The author's idea of incorporating such things as crayons, high-lighters, pencils, coloured pens, sticky notes & symbol codes is a refreshing change to conventional annotations.

The author's introduction of 'Visual Explanations' on page 114 is another refreshing innovation. He has based it on the work of information scientist Edward Tuft. In some way, the many examples shown resemble the 'mindscapes' as formulated by Nancy Marguiles in 'Mapping InnerSpace'. Incidentally, mindmapping created by Tony Buzan is lumped together in this section.

The graphic format of 'Vocabulary Squares' on page 124 is very useful & practical, but I believe using it in combination with an index card would be much more effective. Sentence constructions can be written on the flip side.

I am intrigued by a number of 'discrepancies' I have found in this book:

1) On page xvii, under 'Making Effective & Efficient Notes', what follows is actually a full description of 'Cornell Notes'. I am surprised that the author did not mention this fact & also did not credit it to Professor Walter Pauk of Cornell University.

2) 'Cornell Notes' is mentioned in the 'Appendices' on page viii, but it is inserted before 'Q Notes' & after 'Pyramid Notes' on that page, thus upsetting the alphabetical order of all the other graphic organisers as listed. Likewise, a reproducible form showing 'Cornell Notes' on page 159 is inserted - against the alphabetical rhythm - before 'Q Notes' on page 160 & after 'Pyramid Notes' on page 158. What is the author's rationale?

3) 'Cornell Notes' is correctly depicted on page xvii, showing the various format components: orienting information (for name, topic, date), connections column (for questions), notes column (for essential information about the suject) & Summary column (for synthesising all the noted information), as originally envisaged by Professor Pauk. The summary column, however, does not appear in the reproducible form for 'Cornell Notes' on page 159. I am quite puzzled by this omission.

I still maintain that, because of the author's English teaching background, the graphic organisers in the book will find more appropriate use in the language arts. These are generally reflected in the many book examples.

Nevertheless, I reckon that, in contrast, Jim Burke's book still surpasses two other books with a similar slant in an educational setting, & they are:

- 'Drawing Your Own Conclusions', by Fran Claggert;
- 'Going Beyond Words', by Kathy Mason;

Readers who want to explore other graphic organisers & visual tools for multi-disciplinary applicatons should explore these books:

- 'Cooperative Think Tank', Volume I & II, by James Bellanca;

Those who prefer graphic organisers &/or visual tools with a critical thinking perspective, should explore:

- 'Organising Thinking', Book I & II, by Howard Black & Sandra Parks;

For navigating scientific materials, 'Concept Mapping' & 'Vee Diagrams' as postulated by Joseph Novak in his two seminal books on the subject are definitely worth exploring.

Those who want a more spontaneous free-form approach, I guess Nancy Marguiles' mind-scapes in her book, 'Mapping Inner Space', would fit the bill.

For a technology-based system in an educational setting, David Hyerle's 'ThinkMaps' as postulated in his two books, 'Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge' & 'A Field Guide to Using Visual Tools', are recommended, even though they have some limitations.

This book is wonderful. It makes navigation easy to understand. There are tons of interesting facts and little biographies. The experiments are easy to do and very appropriate.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - and learned quite a few new things, even though I've been out of school for years. The author really knows how to present informative material in a fun and interesting way.

It is obvious that the author did a lot of research and put a lot of time into this book. There are lots of fun facts and surprising bits of trivia - plus, the projects and activities are wonderful, and really get kids' imaginations working.

Navigation is a complex topic. Presenting the history of navigation in a way that children can understand is a daunting task, but Tools of Navigation pulls it off. I can see this book being used by homeschoolers and school kids as the resource for a year long study, but each chapter would stand on its own for any interested student. A nice thing about this book is how many of the activities take place outdoors: traveling by compass, mapping your backyard, and, our favorite, geocaching. It also breaks down map reading to make it easy for kids to learn. I look forward to teaching this section to my two kids so that I'll have a couple of navigators in the backseat during car rides!

This book is titled "Tools of Navigation, a Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Finding Your Way," but this 45-year-old reviewer found it fascinating. I've always loved reading books about people who venture to the North Pole, through the Amazon Rainforest, or across the Sahara Desert, but always wondered how they did it without getting hopelessly lost. Author Rachel Dickinson sheds light on this mystery.

The book explains navigation from the Ice Age to the present, and also includes info on ancient navigators such as Marco Polo, Lewis & Clark, Robert Peary, and Ferdinand Magellan. It's very easy to understand and includes great photos and lots of fun activities, such as: how to make your own compass, go on a treasure hunt, work with topographic maps, and make a sky chart that maps out constellations.

Rachel Dickinson does a wonderful job of explaining navigation and history. It's a great book for parents to share with their children or teachers to share with their classroom. But it's also a fascinating read for anyone interested in navigation, history, and early explorers.

I wish all educators would read this book. I have already bought 2 more copies, to give to some teacher friends. The truth about testing from a former educator's point of view. Too bad the state departments of education don't follow his advice.

If education is in trouble -- here is the Savior. Popham has finally addressed, spelled out and suggested the cures for the present ill-advised and unrealistic push for standardized testing which leaves students,teachers and schools imprisoned by impossible and educationally unsound and biased testing. Popham says it all when he tells us that test developers must think instructionally, realistically and honestly. Popham makes the reader understand the tragic consequences of allowing non-involved, classroom illiterate test-makers to control the educational consequences of millions of students, teachers and public school administrators. Hasn't the mess in medicine taught us the sad lesson of allowing the uninformed to take over the decisions and the physical health of our people, which has led to less yet more expensive healing? Popham makes clear why the lists of hundreds and hundreds of "standards" are impossible to test accurately and how they keep true education from occurring since teachers can't even teach all the standards let alone anything that makes each student realize his/her own uniqueness. Every state legislator that EVER gave his vote or support to standardized testing as it is formatted today, should read Popham's book and somehow find a way and the time to join the effort to return teaching to the classroom instead of leaving it in a test-making corporation's board room. Our students have become the victims of people who can't teach but think they know how. Read this book and pass it on!

Educator and author James Popham's The Truth About Testing takes a critical look at the standardized achievement tests used in America's schools today. The qualities that these tests really measure are not necessarily what the people who tout them claim, and their exaggerated importance in rating the school systems could have severe and destructive consequences on the future of the children who are learning how to do well on certain tests - and not necessarily how to perform the mathematical, scientific, and critical thinking skills they will need when they graduate. educator and author Popham also presents a common sense and practical alternatives to how test data should be used in the classroom, and evidence-gathering strategies that teachers and administrators can use to create a thriving, accountability-driven educational institution. Articulate, instructive, and well-thought-out, The Truth About Testing is a "must" for any educator who needs to effectively evaluate just how well his or her students are really doing.

If education is in trouble -- here is the Savior. Popham has finally addressed, spelled out and suggested the cures for the present ill-advised and unrealistic push for standardized testing which leaves students,teachers and schools imprisoned by impossible and educationally unsound and biased testing. Popham says it all when he tells us that test developers must think instructionally, realistically and honestly. Popham makes the reader understand the tragic consequences of allowing non-involved, classroom illiterate test-makers to control the educational consequences of millions of students, teachers and public school administrators. Hasn't the mess in medicine taught us the sad lesson of allowing the uninformed to take over the decisions and the physical health of our people, which has led to less yet more expensive healing? Popham makes clear why the lists of hundreds and hundreds of "standards" are impossible to test accurately and how they keep true education from occurring since teachers can't even teach all the standards let alone anything that makes each student realize his/her own uniqueness. Every state legislator that EVER gave his vote or support to standardized testing as it is formatted today, should read Popham's book and somehow find a way and the time to join the effort to return teaching to the classroom instead of leaving it in a test-making corporation's board room. Our students have become the victims of people who can't teach but think they know how. Read this book and pass it on!

TURNING IT AROUND is excellent. It would have to be read by adult, children,
and educators who would like to make of the world a better place to live.I
am a Brazilian pediatrician that are using the book for consultation.
Alice Oliveira

I am an Argentine reader and having read Bill Allin's book, I warmly recommend it. Well-designed and organized, it surely is an excellent guide to think over the issues that can lead to better teaching for parents and teachers alike.

This book "spoke to me" in a way that not many others have. It approaches many of the current social issues of inequality, education, the poor, gender, drugs, crime, and a society that has largely rejected truth and morality. In his book, Bill Allin lays the ground work for those who know they need to better their world, but are overwhelmed by the task and don't know where to begin. He makes his points without self-righteousness or preaching and opened my eyes to the fact that people around the world not only share the same general beliefs and value systems that we do, but that they also have the same social problems.

I found Turning It Around to be simple yet profound -- a refreshing breath of fresh air offering unique perspectives. The author does not advocate giving up anything, but rather, shows that learning things in a different order beginning in early childhood, can make a positive difference in our families, our communities and ultimately, in the world of the future.

Allin decries the fact that we don't teach much about what life is, to our young people. Instead, we insist on keeping them innocent as children for as long as possible, then wonder why they can't cope with the stresses of adulthood when they grow up. Turning It Around encourages teaching children what it means to be an adult and how to cope with adult situations before they are in crisis, rather than trying to repair the damage afterwards.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who truly cares about children and is interested in teaching them principles that will last a lifetime. With its revolutionary approach to today's problems, Turning It Around should become must reading for parents, educators, professionals and politicians.

Being well acquainted with the author's expertise and writing style, I highly recommend Bill's visionary new book.

Providing simple direct truths toward living a quality life from the inside first, allows a quality to our outer life that will cause us each to flourish. Looking beyond the status quo of living life by someone else's standards and experiences, each reader can access exactly where they may really want to be in life and where they are right now.

Bill shares the great possibilities beyond the constraining perspectives that are forced upon our life; sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly. If you are not taught and directed by someone else, you have to teach and direct yourself. It is not impossible.

Quality in thinking, brings a quality in living. It is that simple. Bill provokes change and provides simple direct ways to change. Starting with solutions anyone can take on personally and become their own expert at achieving. From the home to the governments a social revolution in thinking can take place, that will ultimately benefit the world.

Recommended for the young and older reader audience alike.

Originally written by William Shakespeare and retold by Bruce Coville, Twelfth Night is a wonderful book. Coville really captures the Shakespearean feel of the original in this delightful picture book. The story revolves around a young woman named Viola. The story begins as Viola finds herself in an unfamiliar land with no means of food or shelter. To survive in this new place she dresses as a man to go and work for the duke of the land, Orsino. It is not long before Viola develops strong feelings for the kind duke. However, Orsino is already infatuated with Lady Olivia. Orsino sends Viola to Lady Olivia to deliver his letters professing his love to her. Upon meeting the gentle messenger Olivia falls in love with her. Little does anyone know that the messenger is indeed a woman! It is all a crazy mess that is both comical and entertaining. Anyone looking for quality entertainment could find it in this great book.

I really liked this book, how could i not? It's Shakespeare. I liked Twelfth Night also because it doesn't end with happiness and laughter like most comedies, it ends with the fool's sad song. very good.

This is a wonderful adaptation of one of Shakespeare's lighter works... Richly detailed artwork accompanies a brisk, skillful prose adaptation of this broad farce of mistaken identity and misplaced love... An ideal entry point for younger readers, one of several fine adaptations by Bruce Coville.

I love the stories that Bruce Coville writes, and was browsing some other books of his, when I saw that he had retold some of Shakespeare's plays for children. I first bought Romeo and Juliet, and have been buying them all as they come out. What a great way for kids (and adults) to learn about Shakespeare's plays! The illustrations are appropriate to the plays, and beautifully done. Twelfth Night, like the others, is well written and easy to read, and includes quotes from the play. I enjoyed this version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Michael Allen has a unique way of capturing the experience of teaching in an urban district with both humor and poignancy. His book is instructive to new teachers and verifying to veteran teachers. I would recommend it to any teacher or prospective teacher. It is destined to become a classic in education.

This has got to be one the truest accounts of what it means to be an educator in today's society. We are no longer teachers . . . as Mr. Allen so eloquently points out we have become surrogate parents, role models, friends, confidants, and finally teachers. Mr. Allen relates real life events that hint of humor because they appear so far fetched; unfortunately you just can't make this stuff up!!! Mr. Allen is, himself, a tribute to all the dedicated teachers and educators who return each and every day to parent, teach, embrace, nurture, raise, and love the most vulnerable of our society -- our children. Read this book if you have anything at all to do with education, whether a teacher, administrator, cafeteria worker, custodian, student or parent this book will touch one and all.

Michael Allen has written a hard-hitting, realistic book (with a realistic view) about education as it occurs outside the textbook. Its funny...startling...constructive viewpoint of education on Boston's cutting edge-the real-life classroom-rings with poignant distillations of days in the lives of Boston's finest: teachers, students and administrators.

Told as a series of vignettes, this book bites in places it shouldn't; yet, it soothes the soul knowing that in the hands of leadership which are as capable as are Michael Allen's , solutions to the many problems and encounters this book presents, are simply a matter of course...and flow...

If you are a professor, teaching case studies about any aspect of education; a curious reader, wondering what does go on in the Boston Public Schools, anyway; an aspiring teacher, curious about what you might be getting into; then, this is a must read, for you. These stories are written with the reader in mind. They are short, vibrant and tasteful bites from a slice of life in Urban Education.

I recommend it, highly!

Michael Allen has offered us a window into our urban schools. With integrity, dedication, compassion, humor and hope he has described what it takes to be "on the front lines" in educating our youth. This book is for anyone who wishes to be informed about some of the realities of today's educational system. Don't be surprised if you feel inspired by the challenge of teaching!

If you want a comprehensive book for the NCETM, this is it..expensive
but worth it, It is strictly a Q AND A but every question you can think
of is listed here..I got this for the muscle section and went over the
other body systems as well and feel prepared for the exam,,

This guide was an excellent resource in getting me to understand and remember various diseases a massage therapist needs to be aware of. I passed the NCBTMB exam yesterday with HIGH in each category and these guides helped A LOT in preparation!

This volume was extremely interesting. It contains information that every massage therapist should know. Some of the NCBTMB test questions were straight from this book. I found it extremely helpful in my passing the test the first time.

If you can answer the questions from this book with confidence, you can pass almost any clinical part of massage therapy exam. On the other hand, simply by knowing the clinical pathology, you may not be able to pass either the NY State Board or the National Certificate exam.

I don't think you need to understand every single detail in this book in order to pass either the NY State Board or the National one. (See my other comments on selecting study material if you are interested).

The knowledge provided from this book is far more than as a licensed massage therapist require to know. It's good to know more. But don't be scared if you do not do well on those questions in this book. From my limited experience, I think the exam authorities want to prepare us (massage therapists and body workers) to provide SAFE and effective massage therapy to the public. We are not trained to be a MD. Please don't blame yourself if you are not so good as the nervous system, for example. But you have no excuse for not knowing soft tissue. Massage therapists should be the expert of soft tissue.

Grasp a solid knowledge on muscle insertion and origin, action and related diseases. You will do well! Good luck