Education Books

This is a helpful informative book, especially helpful for new teachers.
However, I would also recommend it for experienced teachers for some new ideas.

This book is simple and clear in focus and structure. It has great strategies and suggestions for implementation in classrooms of various grade levels. This is a great resource if you are looking to improve your classroom community and overall communication skills of your students.

Wonderful, applicable strategies to build community in every classroom! In every school building! Great resource full of ideas.

I am a 6th grade teacher moving to 2nd grade this year. This book was a HUGE help in preparing me to organize my morning meeting. It is an easy read and has lots of helpful tips. I can't wait to start school this year and start my morning meetings!
If you are an elementary teacher, buy this book! You won't regret it!The Morning Meeting Book (Strategies for Teachers, 1)

This resource is an excellent buy. After cutting morning meeting out of my classroom routines, I realized that it's not what I should have done. I wish that I had this book in the beginning of the year to help me with the morning meeting. There are so many wonderful ideas and activities in this book. If you get this book, I would also highly recommend Morning Meeting, Afternoon Wrap-up by Donna Whyte. That is also an excellent resource. The two together will give you what you need for your morning meeting.

I read this book a decade ago, and reread it last week. Having done a lot of research on education and literacy during the interim, I can more confidently vouch for the scholarship and accuracy of this important book.

I'll warn you frankly that dealing with some of this information for the first time is disorienting for most people. It certainly was for me. Here's why. We have to come to grips with the bizarre, totally unexpected possibility that our education establishment promoted and lied about a reading pedagogy (called Look-Say or Whole Word) which doesn't work and, in fact, caused widespread illiteracy; and further, that the country's largest, most powerful education lobbying group (the National Education Association or NEA) persistently and consciously opposed those education policies which would be best for children and the country.

Here's the grimly funny irony. Whenever the NEA encounters criticism, the NEA will invariably charge the critic with being against "public education." I am very sorry to report my own impression that the Number One obstacle to "public education" in this country is the NEA itself. NEA appears to stand for No Education Association.

Many teachers are forced to be members of this quasi-union; and their dues are extracted by force. I suspect that the majority of these teachers would like to escape. The NEA has grown big, rich, powerful, and imperious, but even its own members seem to have little respect or affection for it.

Blumenfeld records the NEA's history up to 1984, when the book was published. At that time the Cold War was still quite hot. Much of the NEA's aggression is more easily understood if you suppose that the bosses were actually fighting for the other side. The Russians, with their Brezhnev Doctrine, were quite feisty at that time; and the NEA was feisty along with them. I'm guessing there was quite an identity crisis when the USSR collapsed! In any event, I urge the NEA, bosses and teachers alike: come on home, guys. This country is still humanity's best hope; and you should be devoting your considerable resources to promoting what is truly best for our citizens and our children.

As scary as the facts are in this book, I guess I'm really not too surprised by anything except how long this has been going on. This provides the answers to a lot of questions I've had about so many of the bizarre happenings in this country. If you never read another book READ THIS ONE! Our freedoms are being taken away inch by inch, so slowly that we haven't really noticed. Check the backgrounds of our judges, our legislators, lawyers etc. These people have all come from the colleges and universities spouting this propaganda!
The information in this book needs to be brought before the American people as quickly as possible. Write your legislators, contact those who have the power to reach the people of this Nation in large numbers. Hold your children's teacher's and the school district responsible for their actions and what they teach. Confront the Trojan Horse!
If you have the means to enroll your children in a private school, do so and make sure the school they're leaving knows why you're doing it.
Confront those around you who spout the socialist propaganda. They need to be brought into the light so all America can see them for what they are. Pray for this country. We're under seige!

"Your ignorance of the Word of God is the only effective weapon an enemy can use against you." (Mike Murdock)
Generations upon generations are at risk if change doesn't come to to the public schools. This book will show you at this present time that public schools are not meeting the grade. So what are we as parents to do? We need to take back our children's education!
We need to get back to basics...homeschooling preferred if not atleast a Christian school education. Please do buy and read this book you won't be disappointed.
"An angry man is a AWAKENED man."
"Only an angry man can change the mind of the unconcerned."
"The Persuaded become the persuasive."
(Mike Murdock)

I'm a teacher and I read this book years ago, shortly after it first came out. At that time I was working in a school system that required either joining the NEA or paying almost the exact same amount of money to it and not having a say in it. For two years, I mindlessly paid my dues and was a member. Then, I decided to read the material I had been given by the NEA. It was a 75-page, very fine print 8 1/2 x 11" book(let). I read every word of it and was amazed at some of the thing the NEA was supporting. Then I heard about this book on a radio program and when I read it, I saw that this man was pointing out the very things I had already seen.

The NEA is not a harmless group that merely wants the best for the education of our children. The changes that are happening in education are part of an overall agenda and that agenda is NOT to produce the most intelligent and well-educated children we can.

If you are an educator today, please read this book! Don't give your money mindlessly to this organization. You expect your students to research their facts and you need to do the same yourself. You owe it to yourself and the children you teach. Joining the NEA is NOT the best way to educate our youth!

This author has excellent documentation for what he says. It is well worth your time to read. Even though it was originally published in the 80's, the NEA has only gotten worse. (Did you know the NEA was sued a couple of years ago for misappropriation of funds?)

Once you read this, you'll wonder how intelligent people like teachers have been duped into thinking this is only a pro-education group. (Did you know teachers are now referred to as "agents of change"? After reading this book, you'll know why.)

This book answered many questions that I had about American public education. It discusses how the original purpose of the public school was to promote socialism; the history and philosophy of the "look-say" method of reading, which actually induces artificial dyslexia; and how the agenda of the NEA threatens our freedom. It's shocking, bold, and well-researched. Everyone in America needs to read this.

Easily the best book ever written on managing complex software projects. Even more relevant today than when it was written, it has been my project management companion for years.

I read many object oriented and agile books published recently. In a Mymocks book store near Townhall, this book is wrapped. It raised my curiosity since it is such an old book. I ordered a used book from Amazon.com and it is still cheaper than the discount book seller in Australia.

Half way through, I realized that Agile process is not a new thing, it exists before it was called Agile, just like AJAX exists before it was called AJAX. Do you know how Martin Fowler called Java POJO? Martin learnt from a joke in this book.

It is book on Agile practice even it never mentioned Agile in the book.

Half-way through this book I decided I wanted to burn every copy of the book. If other people read this book, then they'll all know how to manage object-oriented software projects too!

I swear that Booch was spying on several of the so called "projects" that I was a developer on. It is simply amazing to me how many times the so-called "Harvard School of Business" techniques are used to manage an OO project! I have learned through the school of hard knocks what Booch has written about in this book (wish I had discovered it sooner, a couple of pointy haired bosses could have used it!). Anyway, Booch breaks OO management into seven chapters: First Principles, Products and Process, The Macro Process, The Micro Process, The Development Team, Management and Planning, and Special Topics. I especially found interesting his descriptions on how NOT to run an OO project (oh, and he gives plenty of examples on HOW to run one too!). Booch covers OOA, artifacts, OOD, methodolgies (a biggy with me even on a one person project), evolution (gosh! who would have thought you could have cyclical development???). Identification of classes, objects, symantecs, relationships, etc. He then tackles the team environment: roles and responsibilities (especially the manager's responsibilities!), resource allocation, and tools (this book is not a plug for Rational Rose BTW). Finally: managing risk, planning and scheduling, staffing, costing (a tough one), Quality Assurance (this is not testing!), and he talks some about projects in crisis and what to do. The last chapter is kind of a catch-all containing: User-centric, Data-centric, and Computation-centric systems discussions, along with Distributed, Legacy, Information Management, and Real Time Systems. The appendicies contain: a summary of recommended practices (for those wanting to create a methodology), and rules of thumb. There is a great index, bibliography and glossary to tie up the package nicely. Booch has a terrific writing style presenting what would normally be a dry subject! Definitely for the computer Project Manager's shelf!

I had no hesitation to give 5 stars here. The book is really very good. Honestly, what do you expect with such a book ? To learn valable advices, to understand them, and to have fun while reading. Such a book exists : this one ! How many time I asked to myself "Yes ! What a good idea ... and so simple" or "Of course ! That's it". I really read it like a novel. You can bring it with you for your hollidays (like me), without the feeling to get boring with professional stuff !

On Solid Ground is a comprehensive guide for teachers who would like to implement a reading workshop in their classrooms. I found this book to be a very valuable resource. The book also includes an appendix full of reproducible sheets that support instruction and organization.

I just "happened" upon this book a few years ago, and since I first opened the cover, I have been amazed at how it "talks" to the reader. I was drowning in the beginning of my Reading Recovery year, and this book helped me to put teaching reading into not only a global perspectative but into plain language. Since that time, I have re-read this book every summer before I head back into the "regular classroom" in hopes that I will be renewed and refreshed when beginning with my new students. I have referred many teachers to this book and would recommend it as a MUST have in the Professional library of every teacher. NO you dont need to borrow a copy from someone. You need to buy one(and I didnt get paid to say that!) LOL You need to be able to mark it up and refer back to it all year long. My copy is now tattered and torn but what a wealth of information Ms Taberski has given me.

I am a first year teacher working in an elementary urban education classroom. I found this book to be a happy marriage between theory and practice. It is clear you are reading a book by a veteran teacher, not simply someone who theorizes about education. There are so many aspects to this book that I found useful. Taberski's chapter on assessing student needs and organization of classroom space were most helpful. Read this book and if you have a chance check out Sharon taberski at one of her workshops - she is an inspiration to us all. Be sure to check out the appendices at the end of the book - great reproducibles there!

I am an elementary school teacher who has been out of the field for 12 years. I found this book invaluable in updating my knowlege and skills in the teaching of reading. Her approach makes so much sense and her techniques and ideas are appropriate and easy to use.

After teaching for 22 years as a special ed. teacher, I read Sharon's book. It changed how I teach forever. Using Sharon's ideas, I decreased the amount of talking I do, increased the amount of reading my students do and saw tremendous change in even my most disabled students. One 4th grade student made 4 years growth in the first six months after I began to use Sharon's strategies and returned to her regular class. All students made significant improvements. I highly recommend her book and her ideas to every teacher of young children. You won't be sorry.

I am a pediatrician and have copies of this book in my exam rooms. It is the book most commonly commented on by parents as being a wonderful children's book.

THE ONLY ONE CLUB by, Jane Naliboff
Reviewed by, Joshua


The Only One Club by, Jane Naliboff is an exciting children's book. I liked this book because its about a little girl name Jennifer who is Jewish and everybody isn't. So she goes home and makes The Only One Club because she feels left out. In addition she made the club badge and I liked that.


The plot is interesting. Then Jennifer was happy now that she made a club but nobody was in it. So, everyone asked to be in it and she said, "no." I really didn't like that part.


The setting is at her house and classroom. That's not really exciting but the classroom is a little.
This book doesn't have any slang so that's why it's a good children's book.


The best part was at the end when Jennifer gave everyone a club badge. She then at the very end gave her teacher a badge too. So now, nobody was left out. Now everybody was happy even though they were different.


This was a great book overall but I didn't like the theme of the book. But I liked the very end when the teacher got the badge. This book is fun for kids 5-8. This story is good for kids who are left out in school. This story teaches kids a lesson not to leave other kids out.

The Only One Club explores our innate desires to be part of a group, all while we wish to celebrate our individuality.

Jennifer is in first grade and all the children are making Christmas decorations. When Jennifer wants to make Hanukah decorations her teacher encourages her in her project and allows her to proudly display her art. When she goes home that night she decides to start the "Only One Club" of which she is the only member.

"I want to be in it, too," Steven whined. "I must be the only one of something."

Soon all the children want to be in the club and start wearing badges to proclaim their individuality.

The Only One Club is a lovely book to teach children about diversity in a school setting. The art creates a multicultural setting and the true-to-life dialogue is creative and comforting.

~The Rebecca Review

Differences in race, religion, politics, ideas and lifestyles have given birth to such an enormous amount of negative media these days. In the newspapers we read and the news programs we watch, we are suffocated by it all. What an absolute pleasure to read such a positive expression of being different. Jane Naliboff creates a beautiful story wonderfully written which should be required reading for all!

Engagingly written by Jane Nailboff and nicely illustrated by Jeff Hopkins, The Only One Club is the story of a young girl named Jennifer, who is the only Jewish student in her first-grade class. When the other first graders are making Christmas decorations, the teacher tells jennifer that she can make Hanukah decorations instead, and be the first to hang them on the classroom windows. Happy to be singled out, Jennifer creates "The Only One Club". When her classmates want to join her exclusive club, she resists at first - then realizes each of her friends is also "the only one" at something, and makes badges for everyone, celebrating each person's unique qualities. The friendly illustrations emphasize an upbeat and positive message about the value of differences and the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Parents, Educators, Youth and Child Workers, Legislators, etc., would benefit greatly from the wisdom in this book. This tells what is on kids' minds today, danger signals, prevention, communication, friendships. This book tells why it is important to educate children about sex, to not "micro-manage" children in school, how standardized testing fails our children, the value of healthy/mentoring adult friendships, and the critical task of setting examples for children in our behaviors - acting like adults, responsibility, discovery, and relationships in particular.
This book is incredibly well-organized and well-written on top of all the valuable information it imparts.

When my children were babies and toddlers, I found overwhelming amounts of information about their needs and care-- magazines, books, TV shows. Now that they are 15 and 9, I can't find much worth reading to help me with their needs. I found that this book was very helpful. The author interviewed many teenagers and profiled 12 of them in this book. The book is an interesting glimpse into their lives, and the lives of their families, and the unique problems they each face. Although this is not a "self-help" book, with prescriptions for how to solve the problems parents face, the final chapter summarizes the author's findings from the interviews and gives advice to parents. This summary should be copied and posted where every parent of a teenager will see it frequently because it's a very complete summary of things that teenagers need from their parents.

I am also starting to work my way through the books listed in the bibliography. It appears to be a great resource for further reading about adolescents.

Finally, I wanted to explain the reason I awarded only 4 stars. I felt that the book focussed too much on teenagers who have some kind of "problem": poverty, drugs, neglect, etc. Although the book was useful for all parents of older children and teens, I think it would have been better for me if there had been a few more middle-class kids who are doing well in school in the book. That's the kind of kids that I am dealing with, and they still have problems. I suspect that's the kind of kid a lot of... customers are raising too.

While waiting for clients to show up to see a house, I picked up this book and started reading. Having a new middle schooler, I found that I could not put this down because I could see him in so many of the situations. As soon as I got home, I went on-line and ordered it right away. I will be reading every page of this book. Very engrossing. You feel that you know each individual as you read about them. Also easy reading. As the mother of a three year old, I have many interuptions and it is nice to have a book that can be read in short spurts. This is a must read for anyone with children entering into those adolescent years!

As a mother of a 14 year old child, I was so grateful to read that my vision was comparable to the author's. This book is all about provisioning up your child. It is easy to love a baby, unconditionally, but much harder when your child is in the teenage years and ready to challenge you. I liked the subtle messages that the author sent - give your child chores to do, give them a sense of self, love them unconditionally, and most of all, be a part of their lives. My heart went out to the children in this book who, in my estimation, are not going to make it.

I felt like I was reading "MY Last Best Shot" as I read through this book. I have three sons, ages 10, 12, & 13, and this book was lent to me by my middle son's teacher. I liked it so much I bought my own copy. Every chapter opened my eyes to something else I didn't know about or have not been doing with my sons. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with children near or at the pre-teen age level, particularly parents who find most parenting books boring, patronizing or unrealistic.

This is a must read for every pregnant woman before she gives birth. It was refreshing to read about the mental game of childbirth instead of just the physical aspects. It really made me think about what I could possibly be carrying around mentally that might inhibit me from having the best possible birth. It really gets you in touch with yourself and where you are with your fears and doubts about your birth so that you can address these issues and clear them away beforehand. A fabulous read!!

I enjoyed reading Painless Childbirth by Giuditta Tornetta, she is a birth doula and also uses hypnosis with her clients. It was a positive, uplifting book about pregnancy and birth. It is always wonderful to have a book showing that birth can be comfortable and enjoyable. I had a painless childbirth (with no medication) with my last baby, so I know it can be done. I wish more moms knew about hypnosis as an option for birth.

Reasons I liked this book:
It shows that birth can be comfortable and enjoyable. There are some good birth stories included, under many different circumstances, home birth, hospital births, induced births, etc. These stories demonstrate how mom's beliefs can create their reality.

The book helps moms see how they can be empowered by educating themselves and making choices that are best for them and their baby! Birth is not a one size fits all kind of situation. Learn what your choices are, trust your body and baby and you can be empowered.

The only thing that would make me hesitant to say every mom should read the book, is that it is fairly "new-agey". Personally, I am pretty open minded, so this didn't bother me. I just took what I liked and dismissed what didn't fit into my beliefs. For instance, Giuditta divided the book into 10 months, and connected the chakras to the different months of pregnancy. I found that interesting, but others might be turned off by that.

Some moms are very hesitant to try hypnosis for childbirth, because they worry it won't fit into their belief structure. One thing I like about Hypnobabies is that it is very main stream and can fit into anyone's beliefs. It isn't new-agey at all. I would worry that some of these moms, if they started to read this book would straight away assume that hypnosis is only for new-agey people.

In conclusion I would let moms know if they are open to new and different ideas, then this is a great book for them to read in preparation for birth. It will give them some tools and ideas to help them prepare for birth and parenting. I would add that they most likely will need more than just this book for preparation. If they want more tools, scripts, childbirth information, etc. Hypnobabies would give them these things.

This book really helped me understand how I can have a pain free birth. If I let go and surrender, accept instead of reject, the pain of labor IS truly manageable! Now I can't wait to labor with love! Awesome read!

I approached motherhood with tremendous fear because of stories handed down about problem births of my mother and grandmother, because of fears about hospitals and doctors, and what I didn't realize was the heavy programming from movies, books and stories that childbirth had to be a matter of screaming pain or painkillers-- when clearly millions of mothers have given birth without either throughout history. I realized I could not have a happy drug-free experience of actually being present at this momentous life-changing event if I did not ameliorate these worries and apprehensions. Using the techniques in this book does work to help a woman alleviate previous preconceptions and approach birthing with a relaxed and sacred feeling of creating new life and bonding with her child. I cannot recommend it enough. With the help of a midwife (not the author) I had a wonderful birthing experience which I will always treasure knowing my son got the best possible start in life. Yes, it was intense labor but absolutely painfree. Honestly. We both participated in the miracle of birth in every way and it was joyful indeed! Giuditta Tornetta knows exactly what is best for mother and child.

I have had the honor to have Giuditta as my doula, through her inspiration and guidance she changed our lives forever.Her book is as if having her there, of course nothing could replace her presence but if you can't get her this book speaks to you in volumes from her heart with knowledge, wisdom and love through what is the most beautiful journey in the world! My husband was touched by Giuditta as well so please share it with the entire family, share it with all your friends. She is a blessing to us and we will never forget our experience and each day after because her guidance (also written in the book)! Read read read- you will be amazed at what you find in your own heart! LOVE IT!
L,L &E

There are a lot of books about gifted children, but none as helpful as this one. I use this book as a reference. It can help with everything from dealing with schools to the emotional side of giftedness. The advice is practical and can be used instantly. Anyone who has just learned their child is gifted should start here. It may not be as useful to those who have already read the other literature out there.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

I learned about this book in Beestar online GT program. I had been very nervous before, because I did not know how to raise my gifted child. He is obviously smarter and very different from his peers. A great thing I learned from this guide is about communication - an important factor both in parenting and educating the gifted child. The author's great ideas are good not only for parents communicating with gifted kids, but also for parents communicating with the teachers. I was able to teach my son how to communicate effectively following this guide. It would not have been so successful without this book. Now my son is smarter than ever and more important to me, he is happy and confident... In short, if you have a gifted child, buy and read this book before anything else. It is truly a wonderful guide.

This book has been great at calming my fears as the parent of a gifted child. It talks about expectations for your child as well as how to handle certain challenging situations both at home and at school. Definite must have.

This is by far the most comprehensive book about gifted children that I have seen. It covers a broad range of topics, yet still manages to be quite detailed and "meaty". An entire 19 page chapter is devoted to the characteristics of gifted children. In addition to the usual checklist, the chapter also looks at Dabrowski's overexcitabilities, the gifted child's sense of humor, imagination, etc. The authors embrace an open and flexible definition of giftedness, and offer alternatives to the "one test" model of selection.

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is a guidebook brimming full of practical suggestions on how to raise a gifted child. If you buy just one book on gifted children, this should be it. I recommend it to both veteran "gifted parents" and those with young children who are just starting to explore the world of giftedness. Whether your child is moderately, highly, or profoundly gifted, this book will have meaningful information and helpful suggestions for you.

Chapter five deals with establishing discipline and teaching self management, while chapter eight is all about acquaintances, friends, and peers. Chapter 11, complexities of successful parenting, features a list of six responsibilities for parents:

1.accept and appreciate the child's uniqueness
2.help the child like herself and relate well to others
3.help the child develop a relationship and sense of belonging within the family
4.nurture the development of values
5.teach the child self-motivation, self-management, and self discipline
6.help the child discover his passions, and commit to letting him explore

This chapter also contains sensible advice on how to avoid parental pitfalls such as enmeshment, adultizing the gifted child, or over empowering the gifted child. Parents are encouraged to care for themselves and be sure that they are modeling healthy attitudes and behaviors.

If the inquisitive reader wants to explore further, the back of the book is filled with an impressive number of endnotes and references to published studies and other works pertaining to child development and giftedness. The authors, Webb, Gore, Amend, and DeVries, are all well respected members of the gifted education community. They have many years of combined experience as teachers, counselors, and parents of gifted children. Their collective wisdom shared here is a real treasure.

The pray and Play Bible has a great lessons for preschool age children. All of these lessons can be used in whole or in part. Great resource for anyone in christian education.

The art is fabulous. The Bible stories are entertaining and age appropriate for preschoolers. The songs, games, prayers, and activities that go along with the Bible stories make it so easy to have a lesson that engages every preschooler in REAL learning. I am so thankful that I have this amazing resource because I use it all the time.

This is a preschool Sunday School leader's dream resource for those days when you need a little something extra. It is also PERFECT for a substitute leader! The bright, colorful pictures totally capture the children's attention and each story is followed with many easy to learn songs, prayers and lessons that anyone could lead at the spur of the moment. The activities are very interactive and designed specifically with preschoolers in mind.

Our Play and Pray Bible arrived today, and we are already enjoying it very much! The large size of the book is appealing, as are the brightly colored illustrations. There are activities to extend each Bible story, and we have been singing lots of the songs tonight. (These are sung to familiar children's tunes, and they caught my daughter's attention right away.) I also teach 4-year-olds in a Christian preschool, and I teach 3's and 4's in Sunday School - I'm looking forward to using this book in those settings, as well as at home!

I liked this so well I bought the second one (Pray and Play Bible 2).
I am a Sunday school teacher for young children and was looking for stories that kept the children's interest. So often the Bible story books say they're for young children, but are either over their head or very boring.
I also bought this for my 3 yr old niece and it's one of her favorite books.
A quality product I don't think you will be disappointed with.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, at the end of the stories are suggested songs and activities that are very do-able.

This is an awesome resource for beginning or student teachers and helps with the basics. Very clear, simple and direct.

Great!One of the best books on reading instruction ever! Easy to read, and very well organized,full of practical tips,and lots of student examples. Enjoy!

This is unquestionably the best "how-to" book on teaching reading that I have come across. It is written from the standpoint of a classroom teacher, but there are plenty of essential ideas for homeschoolers, too. One way or another it covers every (as far as I can see) important point, and I agree with most of them. The best chapter is #8, Teaching Comprehension, where the first sidebar says "Teach Comprehension Right from the Start." Cool!

Routman moves most of the academic material to the end of the book, where there are many endnotes with references to research articles and a hefty index.

So what's not to like? The text is more of a collection of ideas and tips rather than an evolving education in teaching literacy (which I would love to see Routman take on). The many entry points to the text material (sidebars, bullet points, "Try it, Apply it" tabs, chapter heads, and subheadings) prevented me from finding a continuous, developing thread of instruction. The book is, as it sets out to be, a tune-up guide for trained teachers who are already dealing with classrooms of students. There is too little step-by-step guidance for homeschoolers who are new to teaching literacy. This is especially apparent in dealing with very early readers, where specific training, commercial materials lists, and informal assessments would be welcome (Routman seems to say that such would be infeasible). I missed recommended reading lists that might specifically tie in with coaching in the text, and striking the best balance of phonics to reading is brought out, but left up to the intuition of the teacher.

The thrust of most of the book is about 5th grade difficulties, but it seems to me that a solid K-3 program would head off most of those problems. I found K-3 to be the weakest component of the book.

Routman acknowledges the many demands on classroom teachers for their time and compassion, but I think she is unrealistic about what is achievable in a classroom-based school setting. Interestingly, though she never mentions homeschooling, her prescriptives are precisely what motivates homeschoolers (this one, at least) and homeschooling is a very sensible response to many of the ills she addresses.

Finally, I had the nagging feeling that the book could have benefited from being substantially shorter. Whatever shortcomings Reading Essentials may have for homeschoolers, it's still the best resource available, and it IS essential.

I found this book to be full of ideas for the classroom. It is geared toward K-5. I teach first grade and found many great ideas for my grade level. Lots of good researched information on guided reading. I plan on purchasing Writing Essentials next.

I teach 5th grade, and the teachers on our grade level enjoy being involved in a book club. This year, we've selected Reading Essentials as our book of discussion. The book is easy to read and full of ideas to make reading effective in your classroom. If we only had enough time to implement the many wonderful ideas, we'd be in great shape.