Schools and Instruction Books

This book really impacted me and the direction to go in my administration and teaching roles! I am a better leader and teacher b/c of the principles taught in this book! Gives a great approach on how to inspire others to accomplish more and succeed. Easy book to read! It is set up in a fictional story. The story was slow to grasp at first because I kept saying, "get to the point". Once the story was set up it began to pour out applicable information that the fictional story really brought out insights into. I really liked it after that. that is why i recommend this book to all educators. It doesn't make you feel like a failure. We are just normal and trying to do the best we can and wonder why everyone seems so exhausted and bored in schools. This book gave me a great approach to create energy within others! And it is a very simple approach.

Note: This book doesn't really talk about discipline or methodologies or theories, but provides a practical approach of how to improve the quality of instruction, and increase student and teacher satisfaction. Through the fiction side of the book it allows you to observe a successful school and one that is failing and how the failing school becomes a success! I now am going to take my classes to a new level of energy b/c of this book!

Easy read! At first it doesn't seem like it is going to apply b/c it is building the story. Then it catches steam and flows with good stuff.

Clearly, one of the best books I've ever read regarding education. This book was a required reading for a graduate course, but it should be required for any educator who truly wants to help make children more successful. It made me examine how I have been ZAPPING (encouraging, motivating) students and colleagues and SAPPING (demotivating, discouraging) students and colleagues. Although I can't go to the 12th dimension with Ralph, I'm hoping I will look at my students, my school in a way that will allow me to be more of a ZAPPER and less of a SAPPER.

This easy-to-read book sends a powerful message concerning the importance of empowerment and ownership in education. The lessons that can be learned from this publication will remain beneficial as long as education is an existing institution. Everyone should place himself/herself in the shoes of Joe Mode and see how the empowerment process can and should be implemented. To see firsthand how empowerment can improve teacher and student performance is totally astounding.

This book should be required reading for every school administrator starting with the State Commissioner of Education.

This book is light-hearted and easy to read. It provides the reader with a real sense of how to empower employees to create the best school possible. After reading this book, you will feel empowered to make a difference in your school. A must for all practicing school administrators.

Zapp! should be required reading for every educator in the USA. Its an easy read and an inspirational account of a principal who wants more for his students, staff and himself. The power to empower is underestimated in our schools today. Zapp!could change any educaator with the desire to grow.

The book gently guides you through literature experiences with children- specifics that are logical- pleasant reading that ignites the desire to go into the classroom day after day-

This text was an extremely easy text to read and one can relate so well with the real life classroom situations. I have taught for five years in the primary grades and by re-reading this book, it brought back the sense of fun that I have long since forgotten about with my classroom children.

Ms. Avery does a wonderful job of introducing a writing workshop and reading workshop to the teacher who doesn't know how to get started. I have read the book twice in addition to using it as a handbook in my classroom.

When I entered my first year of teaching, I did not know where to begin. This book helped me implement and find success with my students' literacy development. This book has been a very valuable tool. We are lucky to have such a fine teacher's footsteps to follow.

Bravo to Carol Avery for writing such a wonderful book! "And With a Light Touch" contains chapter after chapter of helpful ideas that can be implemented in the classroom, but the author also has such an honest and insightful voice, I actually put aside the novel I was reading and looked forward to reading about Avery's adventures in the classroom! Avery books gives a gold standard of value to the often overlooked teacher's anecdote, I wish more folks would share the way she does. As a mother of a first grader, I was very curious as to what the experience of teaching and learning in the classroom was like, and this book gave me a real inside view. I balked at the textbook price for a paperback, but this book was worth every penny and I would recommend it to anyone interested in teaching, children, or a good story.

This book discusses the shift in American education from "values-neutral" and "strictly content" education toward a different and necessary ideal: educating youngsters to live a "good life." (This is the goal that movie watchers saw in the final scene of "Saving Pvt. Ryan," where the older Ryan asks his wife and children, "Did I lead a good life?") Both authors are from the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character at Boston University. They write primarily for educators and have teachers in mind. They promote the idea that education is in "its fullest sense is inescapably a moral enterprise" (p. 190).

I found the book to be well writeen and filled with many good examples. I particularly liked the Appendices (76 pages), filled with good advice. Ryan and Bohlin also discuss how character education is different from "values clarification" and "teaching a viewpoint." In character education, students discover the importance of (or lack of) virtues; that there are multiple answers to moral questions; that characters in literature and history "grow into" their moral positions, and that character education wishes to inculcate the importance of "knowing good, seeing good, and doing good."

This is the coming age in U.S. education. This book along with some others (William Damon, The Moral Child; Bringing in a New Era in Character Education; Thomas Lickona, Educating for Character) will provide a good theoretical background. Ryan and Bohlin warn us away from pre-packaged character education activities, and, as a result, I am not quite sure where to go from here (which is why I took off one star).

I hope you enjoy the book.

Few are the resources that leave parents and teachers both inspired and eager to continue in their task as educators. Engaging, practical and easy to read, 'Building Character in Schools' provides an uplifting view on how our children and young can become the great persons that they can be. A must read for anyone who cares about the young and our future society.

This is a wonderful, easy-to-read book about character education. It provides coherent, *non-religious* arguments in favor of character education, and then provides some practical guidelines and resources for implementation. In the wake of Columbine, how can anybody question the need for character education, particularly in the public schools?

This excellent book shows teachers and school officials how to create a character-building educational program and make it work.

Timely and on target, Building Character in Schools reads quickly and provides practical insights for today's educators and parents as they struggle to help children develop integral personalities. It is a must read for teachers who see their students as the future of our society, who need to develop habits and a vision that empower them to become honest, upright and noble citizens.

Extremely practical and useful book! This book was easy to read and to use.

The book was exactly what I needed for my Educational Administration classes. It was a required book for my graduate studies.

This book is a companion to Barnhardt's work on the school portfolio. It is a beautiful introduction to basic data analysis for teachers and administrators in today's schools. The introduction to data bases, the importance of clear identification of dissagregation points and simple but critical rules of good action research make it a must for anyone interested in real accountability and reflective practice.

Being in the educational system I have found this resource to be very helpful in our work w/ educational reform.

Our whole school district and infact 12 out of 13 school districts in the state are using this book along w/ Vickie's other book on School Portfolios.

I have used this book since it's publication and it is a wonderful classroom resource for anyone involved with handbuilding in clay. The examples are authentic--you know they really were made by children. The project ideas are very timely and especially geared to younger children. A must for any visual art library.

This book has been very helpful for myyoung children's clay classes. We successfully completed several projects from this book and everyone was happy: teacher, kids, parents. It was fun seeing the older kids come over from their wheels and be jealous of the little kids' projects. The book has also been a source of joy to me since the animal projects we did in class were so much fun, I continued the projects long after class was over.

The writing is clear, sometimes sparse, but the pictures are good. I also appreciated the associated learning that can accompany the projects (or vice versa).

The past three years I have had the privilege of chairing an exhibition of K-12 student work in clay for the NC Pottery Center located in Seagrove, NC. This year my grant was generous enough for me to present each teacher who participated in our exhibiton a copy of Ellen Kong's book, The Great Clay Adventure. Each receipient was thrilled and eager to begin new clay projects with students.

We at the Pottery Center feel confident that distributing this incredible and inspiring book across our clay rich state of 100 counties will definitely stimulate our next generation of potters!!! Thank you, Ellen Kong!!

The concise, clearly worded directions are easy to follow. No wasted words; no partial explanations. In the photographs accompanying each project, I like the mix of student and mature work. Also commendable are the explanations of how basic handbuilding techniques can be combined to produce lively ceramic art. All in all, The Great Clay Adventure stimulates the imagination. I highly recommend this book for clay artists, art teachers and school libraries.

Barbara McKenzie, Ph.D.
Professional Potter
Instructor, Durham Arts Council

I have been looking for just the right book to help me get started doing workshops with children in my small town. Today I came upon "The Great Clay Adventure" and I am delighted. The pictures are clear and colorful, the instructions easy to follow and 'extensions' given at the end of each chapter will enhance the total clay experience. I will add this book to my library and will use it often.

This book, with its two companion volumes on Egyptian Art and American Art, helps create a fun and focused visit to a specific collection. The reader learns what to look for in the paintings, and also learns entertaining facts about the various artists. The introduction is particularly helpful. For example, it explains basic concepts about colors and perspective, and sets reasonable expectations about what children can absorb. The section about "museum feet" is very pertinent. Obviously the authors know children as well as the art.

It is a thoroughly engrossing overview of the artists and their artistic accomplishments written in a manner so easy to read aand remember. It really could be for any age tii use in any museum in the world which has Impressionist paintings. Fascinating! Informative!

This book, with its two companion volumes on Egyptian Art and American Art, helps create a fun and focused visit to a specific collection. The reader learns what to look for in the paintings, and also learns entertaining facts about the various artists. The introduction is particularly helpful. For example, it explains basic concepts about colors and perspective, and sets reasonable expectations about what children can absorb. The section about "museum feet" is very pertinent. Obviously the authors know children as well as the art.

If you don't have children, but have a number of them on your holiday list, these three Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg are truly a find. They'll delight everyone - the kids will love them, their parents will be thankful for something that is both mind-expanding and great fun, and, you'll be thankful for pleasing both parties. Every child on my list will be receiving them this year. What's more, if you need some brushing-up in American art, Egyptian art, or French Impressionism, take a look before you wrap them up or, better yet, get a set for yourself. ART 101 was never so much fun! (Make sure to order all three books.)

This is a wonderfully entertaining and a very informative book for kids, parents, school volunteers and teachers! There's something for everyone. I've used it as a parent and art volunteer in the classroom for our kids and the other presenters. My eight year old daughter reads from this and their other book on American Art. Wish there were more in the set besides, Impressionists, American and Egyptian Art guides!

I bought a few books in this series for both myself and my daugher so that we could sit down to draw sth together. She is still a little bit too youg to draw sth serious, but it gave me a lot of fun.

I now have plenty of great pictures that my daughter has drawn with confidence. As time goes by she gets better and her pride is a wonderful gift to us. If your child wishes to draw it is a great way to introduce them.

This book is easy enough kids to have a good time with. Many of the drawing instructional books are too hard for elementary schoolers. My 8 year old used this book to learn how to draw a canary that looked like a canary.

Our family has other books in this series and we love them. If you think you are challenged when it comes to drawing, these are the books for you. My kids and I sit together and draw for hours, and I have as much fun as they do. I even sent some to my nephew for a gift, and he loved them as well.

Eaton provides a very practical guide for anyone who needs to market a language program. Her keen understanding of the subject matter, combined with practical action steps, will help any language school maintain enrollments and keep students coming through the door.

This practical, well organized and easy to use book, is a valuable resource for language schools and virtually all other types of schools and educational programs. The marketing strategies are invaluable and many can be adapted for marketing other educational learning centers and small businesses. I have used some of Sarah's ideas in setting up and marketing my own company and am eagerly awaiting her upcomgin book geared specifically to marketing small businesses.

Cynthia Beare
Teacher, Author and Freelance Writer
Calgary, AB

This is a much needed guide for language schools or anyone venturing into this area of marketing. Author Sarah Eaton draws on her wealth of real life experiences to highlight the crucial steps involved with successfully marketing a language program.

The book is divided into several relevant categories for language program marketers. It covers every single step, starting from the formulation stages of the language program to the necessary steps to take once the language program is finished. The books is a resource - it allows the reader to draw on different parts of the book when the right time arrives. Having said that, the book is so easy to read that reading the book cover to cover will happen before you know it! These suggestions are each valuable in their own unique way; any one of them will improve a marketing program.

This book offers the best of its kind thus far. Every single one of the 101 ideas is easy to understand. It's easy to read and practical; a valuable gem for any language school.

"101 Ways to Market Your Language Program" is an insightful and practical guidebook for marketing novices and professional alike. It presents valuable ideas for language schools and programs. Sarah Eaton provides ways to help you assess your offerings, develop strategies, write effective promotional material, design a web page, and evaluate your efforts. Sarah's
work is like a breath of fresh Canadian air flowing through an otherwise stagnant, academic. myopic wasteland.

-Bob Topor

Higher Education Marketing Senior Consultant,
Author, Lecturer, Publisher
Retired, Stanford University
Senior Consultant, Topor Consulting Group International.

This book is great even if you are experienced or just starting..I call this book my painting bible.

Fabulous book, written especially for beginners who know very little about painting, but also has EXCELLENT pointers for those who are good painters, but love those extra tips.

I've got this one at the top of my shelf and I've underlined, bookmarked pages, etc. It really is an excellent read, but most of all, it has really easy-to-follow instructions and doesn't leave you confused.

If you're just learning to paint, then you really have to get this book. You just have to. It is written SIMPLY and is EASY to read and the book is really thick and hardback and will last a really long time. Well worth the money and something you can use as a reference too.

I am very pleased with the work I have created using this book. I had a lot of questions about watercolor and oil painting. Most of the other books I purchased and studied left a lot of the beginner things out....like how to actually mix colors well. The format is wonderful as well, you can go from one exercise to the next a really get some techniques under your belt. The approach to demystifying the products needed for each media was fantastic. You are shown what each product is for and when you might use it. The instuctions in the book include clear step by step pictures...so you don't start feeling lost halfway through the exercise. The best part? There is no rigid rules, the dialogue is personal and encouraging. You flip through it and start itching to paint!

This is a great, comprehensive painting guide for anyone who is interested in getting into oil, acrylics or watercolor painting. It shows all the basics needed including the materials available and needed and it also shows (at least to me) some advanced techniques. Great for any beginner and maybe even intermediate painter. The only complaint I have to make is that I would have liked that the book covered other kinds of painting too, such as glass painting, but I guess it makes sence that they didn't really get into that since it seems to me that it is a classic kind ot painting school.

This book was my one & only source of study for the MTEL F.O.R test. I had heard nothing but horror stories from people who had taken this exam. I have been out of college for 18 years and therfore out of practice taking exams. I used this for the F.O.R and not only passed but did very well. I also bought MTEL (the yellow & black book) for the Communications & Literacy and passed with flying colors. Good Luck!!

I just want to say how helpful I found this book. I do not have an education degree, and have never had a course in teaching reading or anything like it, but reading and studying this book helped me pass the MTEL Foundations of Reading the first time! Everything you need to know really is in this book. I am usually very skeptical about the claims of books like this, but I am definitely a fan. Many thanks to Chris Boosalis.

The MTEL subtest-Foundations of Reading, felt like it was impossible to pass. I had missed passing by two points more than once! I contacted Chris Boosalis who gave me tips and strategies on how to pass the test and what exactly the people who scored these tests were looking for. I am now a certified teacher and I could not have done it without his help or his book!
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I took the MTEL Reading Foundations test and everything that was in this book was on the test! It was amazing. I am so happy I bought this book!

I highly recommend Dr. Boosalsis Book to anyone who wants to pass the RICA. I had completed all my classes, and studied a lot, but I felt totally unprepared for the RICA test. I just had no idea how to prepare.

I learned important strategies, including time management, that helped me with the test. Most importantly, it instilled confidence in me by assuring me I would pass.

And I did! It made me feel a lot more confident going into the test, and I think all future teachers should read this book.