Disabled Books

(This is a syntopic review of:
1. `Winning the Study Game: Learning to Succeed in School'(Resource Specialist Guide & Student Workbook);
2. `Study Max: Improving Study Skills';
3. `Study Wise: A Program for Maximising Your Learning Potential';
All written by the same author.)

Because of my deep passion for books on study skills among other subjects, & also in the light of my consultancy work in the schools, & success coaching with kids/teens/adults, this wonderful book naturally caught my eye.

In essence, & for the purpose of completion, this Resource Specialist Guide is part of a systemic package that also includes the Consumable Student Workbook (or edition). You may also need to access the Reproducible Student Workbook (or edition) or the Reproducible Student Edition in the form of a CD-Rom.

The entire package is targeted primarily at teachers (as well as parents who yearn to become learning facilitators at home) in "special education" from grades 6 to 11 (middle school to high school). In this context, here lies its strength, although the stuff inside is suitable for those in general education.

In reality, the resource guide provides an incisive overview of the educational issues (or the instructional components) addressed in the student workbook. It has a primary focus on helping struggling students in meeting the demands of the mainstream curriculum.

Content-wise, from the perspective of study & thinking skills, this book is similar to `Study Max: Improving Study Skills', also by the same author, but the latter is targeted at students in grades 9-12 (high school). This book is structured in such a way that both teacher & student can make use of the book.

From the organizational standpoint, the chapters in this books are systematically arranged as follows:

Part 1: Learning styles & preferences (1 chapter);
Part 2: Getting organized (4 chapters);
Part 3: Turbo charging reading & studying (5 chapters);

There is another book, `Study Wise: A Program for Maximising Your Learning Potential', also by the same author, which is targeted at college students. In this particular book, & with a slight twist, there is a greater emphasis on developing critical thinking skills in the content areas & in the real world!.

From the organizational standpoint, the chapters in this books are systematically arranged as follows:

Part 1: Maximising your learning potential: figuring how to win in school (4 chapters);
Part 2: Developing school success system: learning how to study productively (5 chapters);
Part 3: Applying strategic intelligence: getting what you want, need & deserve (5 chapters);

Strategy-wise, all three books share a common thread: they help students acquire the basic & advanced study & thinking skills that will allow them to develop their full academic & vocational capabilities. They also provide step by step procedures for functioning more productively not only in school, but also in life.

In each case, students learn how to study efficiently & effectively, & they learn how to handle real- world challenges, deal with setbacks, solve problems, and avoid miscalculations that could be potentially life altering. In effect, they learn to think strategically, act smart, and study wise.

The author strongly believes in one fundamental premise in writing the books, which I fully concur: the difference between successful students & struggling students usually boils down to one basic thing:

`effectiveness & efficiency in their learning & studying strategies'.

Judging from his credentials, the author has apparently an impeccable track record with a field experience of more than 30 years. With a stable of 18 books, he certainly has an in-depth knowledge about learning as well as learning difficulties.

For the teacher as well as parent, I would also recommend you to read another of the author's books:

`Roadblocks to Learning: Understanding the obstacles that can sabotage your child's academic success'

This book, just like the above three books, has also been very well-written.

To sum up, each of the earlier three books has engaging, applicable techniques for student achievement, as well as hundreds of realistic activities & practical exercises, plus case studies, for immediate application.

I personally like Study Max over the other two, in terms of reader friendliness & action-packed learning. However, I rate 5 for all of them.

(This is a syntopic review of:
1. `Winning the Study Game: Learning to Succeed in School' (Resource Specialist Guide & Student Workbook);
2. `Study Max: Improving Study Skills';
3. `Study Wise: A Program for Maximising Your Learning Potential';
All written by the same author.)

Because of my deep passion for books on study skills among other subjects, & also in the light of my consultancy work in the schools, & success coaching with kids/teens/adults, this wonderful book naturally caught my eye.

In essence, & for the purpose of completion, this Resource Special Guide is part of a systemic package that also includes the Consumable Student Workbook (or edition). You may also need to access the Reproducible Student Workbook (or edition) or the Reproducible Student Edition in the form of a CD-Rom.

The entire package is targeted primarily at teachers (as well as parents who yearn to become learning facilitators at home) in "special education" from grades 6 to 11 (middle school to high school). In this context, here lies its strength, although the stuff inside is suitable for those in general education.

In reality, the resource guide provides an incisive overview of the educational issues (or the instructional components) addressed in the student workbook. It has a primary focus on helping struggling students in meeting the demands of the mainstream curriculum.

Content-wise, from the perspective of study & thinking skills, this book is similar to `Study Max: Improving Study Skills', also by the same author, but the latter is targeted at students in grades 9-12 (high school). This book is structured in such a way that both teacher & student can make use of the book.

From the organizational standpoint, the chapters in this books are systematically arranged as follows:

Part 1: Learning styles & preferences (1 chapter);
Part 2: Getting organized (4 chapters);
Part 3: Turbo charging reading & studying (5 chapters);

There is another book, `Study Wise: A Program for Maximising Your Learning Potential', also by the same author, which is targeted at college students. In this particular book, & with a slight twist, there is a greater emphasis on developing critical thinking skills in the content areas & in the real world!.

From the organizational standpoint, the chapters in this books are systematically arranged as follows:

Part 1: Maximising your learning potential: figuring how to win in school (4 chapters);
Part 2: Developing school success system: learning how to study productively (5 chapters);
Part 3: Applying strategic intelligence: getting what you want, need & deserve (5 chapters);

Strategy-wise, all three books share a common thread: they help students acquire the basic & advanced study & thinking skills that will allow them to develop their full academic & vocational capabilities. They also provide step by step procedures for functioning more productively not only in school, but also in life.

In each case, students learn how to study efficiently & effectively, & they learn how to handle real- world challenges, deal with setbacks, solve problems, and avoid miscalculations that could be potentially life altering. In effect, they learn to think strategically, act smart, and study wise.

The author strongly believes in one fundamental premise in writing the books, which I fully concur: the difference between successful students & struggling students usually boils down to one basic thing:

`effectiveness & efficiency in their learning & studying strategies'.

Judging from his credentials, the author has apparently an impeccable track record with a field experience of more than 30 years. With a stable of 18 books, he certainly has an in-depth knowledge about learning as well as learning difficulties.
For the teacher as well as parent, I would also recommend you to read another of the author's books:

`Roadblocks to Learning: Understanding the obstacles that can sabotage your child's academic success'

This book, just like the above three books, has also been very well-written.

To sum up, each of the earlier three books has engaging, applicable techniques for student achievement, as well as hundreds of realistic activities & practical exercises, plus case studies, for immediate application.

I personally like Study Max over the other two, in terms of reader friendliness & action-packed learning. However, I rate 5 for all of them.

What a shame such a wonderful book doesn't even warrant a single review from all those supposed intellectual readers who claim to "understand" disability and what it means for millions of women all over the world.

I found this book in a thrift shop for a dollar here in the UK and what a buy it was is all I can say!

This is an anthology for disabled women by disabled women but it is also for YOU abled bodied folk who think YOU KNOW what it is like to be in a body where you are physically powerless or have a mind that is considered "different" and therefore not normal. This book will tell you what it is really like, it spares no punches and takes no prisoners.

There are poems, life stories, experiences, angst, humour, sorrow, irony, anger, dreams fulfilled or not as the case may be, no two voices in this book are the same.

This book is not a sentimental journey down the "what might have been" lane it's a book about real people living real lives.

A gem of a book that sadly has been overlooked by many.

Readers all I can say is "you don't what you're missing!"

This book is a wonderful addition for any teacher who works with autistic children whether low functioning or high functioning. The main focus of this book presents behavior changing process, the academic process, social communication, and finally some case studies of students who were diagnosed with autism.

Ms. Hays presents this book in an readable fashion. She uses her knowledge and Master's and Doctoral studies to make this book a dream. I would highly recommend it without reservation.

I am a special education teacher and this book is awesome! It is huge and has a TON of activities on writing words, sentences, and paragraphs. I got it along with "Let's Write!" by Cynthia M., M.Ed. Stowe, but if I had to choose one it would definitely be this one! This is the best book for a huge variety of writing practice pages that can easily be copied. This book makes writing so much easier for children! Don't think it can only be used for special education either! As a teacher, I have bought a lot of books to help me teach a variety of skills and this is easily in my top favorites!

This book is a wonderful help to any teacher of writing. It is extremely versatile and can be used equally effectively in a whole class situation or with small groups. Its best feature is its usefulness for individualized instruction so that the teacher does not have to use precious class time for the writing and grammar problems of a few students. A student who has problems with commas can work on the appropriate activities on an individual basis. The activities themselves are extremely well done. They are fun for the students and, at the same time, effective in producing correct writing techniques.

Delivered as promised, good condition, arrived in a timely manner

I found this book to be extremely informative. I recognized the characteristics of my youngest son in the well-written case histories. I, also, recognized traits of my oldest son in the text which eventually led us to a diagnosis from a professional of "auditory processing difficulties". We enrolled both our sons in the 3-week intensive course at the Melvin Smith Clinic in Sacramento last year and have been reaping the benefits of their instruction and suggestions every since

I really enjoy reading this book. It has been so helpful and informative.

I first read Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun in 1971 when I was 16. The memory of that reading experience remains seared in my consciousness. Trumbo was a gifted and inspired writer; his accomplishments as a Hollywood movie script writer are a testament to his immense talent.

However, anyone who picks up this novel, especially teachers who present this powerful piece of fiction to young readers, need to be aware that Trumbo was a Communist. The base-ulterior motive for writing Johnny Got His Gun was to support the insidious and despicable non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and Stalin's USSR. The Communist Party line (scripted by Stalin) was to support the alliance with Nazi Germany. It is ironic that this much esteemed novel was in fact written to manipulate American public opinion against U.S. intervention in WWII even as Nazi bombs were raining down on England. Only after Hitler's surprise invasion of the the Soviet Union did Communists, and that includes Trumbo, suddenly change their collective 'pacifist' tune. Suddenly the war against Hitler was a righteous cause.

Now I realize Trumbo remains a popular figure and perhaps he was a highminded idealist but his political ideals led him to support one of the 20th Century's most sinister villians: Stalin. I was an impressible teenager when I first read this novel in 1971. But the novel is not only didactic and manipulative, it is also simplistic in its attitude towards war. As George Orwell (who not only witnessed firsthand, but managed to survive Stalin's purges in Spain)stated in 1941, "The choice before human beings is not between good and evil but between two evils. You can let the Nazis rule the world; that is evil; or you can overthrow them by war, which is also evil . . ."

Tolstoy's War and Peace, Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, the Civil War stories of Ambrose Bierce, Orwell's Homeage to Catalonia,and Joe Heller's Catch-22 are so much more credible in their depiction of the human experience with war.

A book has never instilled such a hopeless atmosphere in me. This is a book that is full of raw emotion that I couldn't get enough of. A book that has so much feeling runs the risk of being a melodrama work as it falls in traditional pot-holes. This book is able to circumnavigate this problem by creating original and unique feelings that are unlike anything that I have experienced. This isn't a book that caused the traditional feelings of sadness or depression; it was deeper than that. It was as if I had been able to absorb a continuous, subliminal feeling of frustration and hopelessness. Every page there after carried that tone until I became consistently angrier.

These feelings permeate this book as it shows the scope of Johnny's life. This fuels the anti-war messages of the book. Johnny Got His Gun uses these emotions and translates it almost directly to his theme. Not to mention that this book has a good story with gripping narrative. Add this to his empowered emotions and this becomes one of the most engrossing, thought-provoking reads of my life.

In reading this novel about a severely disabled war veteran, I began to ask myself how plausible it would have been for Joe Bonham to actually survive his injuries in that time before helicopters and much modern medicine. Granted, Trumbo claimed that he based his story on an actual case - but I still wonder. Given the horrific amount of blood loss, the shock, perhaps even the fact that he would have looked less like an injured soldier and more like a loose collection of dead parts - I have my doubts. Could it happen in today's world? I really think there's a better chance of war creating a Joe Bonham in our technologically advanced era. We could not only make him, we could sustain him indefinitely. Whether or not a blast that could basically rip off the front half of your skull could leave your brain perfectly intact is another question entirely.

The first 1/3 to 1/2 of the novel works best, as Trumbo takes us through Joe's clouded mind as he gradually realises the extent of his injuries. After that, memory gets lost in delirium, and then the story begins to pick up again. As goofy as it sounds, the scene in which the nurse finally communicates with Joe is like a scene out of "The Miracle Worker." However, the joy of the moment is short-lived. Trumbo has an agenda, after all.

Having been around my share of horrifically sick people, I don't buy the response that Trumbo wrote for Joe. After fighting to the surface, fighting to communicate, all Joe has are a series of bizarre demands and anti-war tirades. When asked who he is, he tells them nothing. None of this rang true, unless we're meant to understand that Joe is completely off his rocker at this point. No, more common questions would have been, "Where am I? What year is it? How is my family?" Questions that would help a person like Joe orient himself after being lost for so long. None of that happens, of course. After being told his demands can't be met, Joe instantly gives up and sinks inside of himself, continuing to rage. Even if the end was inevitable (chances were slim that we'd get a "happy" ending), I can't believe that such a tremendous survivor would just give up so quickly after finally achieving some success.

Whether you are for or against wars, this book has it's place in the way we should view them. It's as relevant now with the war going on as it was when it was written. I wonder if any member of Congress has ever read it, Democrat or Republican? If not they should, matter of fact it should be required reading for any individual or group with the power to send our soldiers to war. This may be just one guys opinion but he presents some powerful arguments. Just read it and form you're own opinion, even if you hate it, there is no way you could honestly deny some of it's brutal honesty.

When I was a boy, like most boys my age, we were exposed to movies about the glory of war. Our toys were army men or guns from all different eras.

Poems like The Charge Of The Light Brigade, and stories like King Aurthur and the Knights of the Round Table were the types of literature on our summer reading lists and our movies glorified war heroes.

Like many young boys at that age, I was enthralled with the idea that war was indeed glorious. Why wouldn't I? The society and times I lived in told me so. Sure, I knew I could die, but that was also portrayed as glorious. I was ready to do battle at the first chance that came my way.

When I entered into a independent reading class, I saw a book on the list titled Johnny Got His Gun. The title of course drew me as did the shortness of the book in comparison to many others on the list. So I grabbed it.

Well, Johnny Got His Gun, opened my eyes to a part of war I hadn't really thought through. Sure, I knew people got wounded, but in the movies, they got a purple heart, got better or died.

I had never imagined the kind of experiences the subject of this book did. That certainly did not sound like a glorious ending that I'd wish upon myself. Additionally, I couldn't imagine being the cause of someone else experiencing this either.

If you haven't read the book, I'll not be a spoiler, for it's not just the ending but the entire experience that makes the book so valuable.

If someone you love or cares about, or even just know well, wants to join the military, for the "Glory", please have them read this book.

I'm not anti military, or military personnel. It's not my intent to undermine someone's desire to serve their country, including my country. I just want those who go off to defend us to have a greater understanding of what can happen to them or to those in the war zones.