Reviews (12)

A classic!
I can't add much to what is already written here.But I must say, these teaching approaches work.The authors back up every method with careful research.Best of all, the methods are described specifically.
don't buy if you need a hardcopy!
I don't have an opinion on the book itself, it's a requirement for a class. However, I thought although there were restrictions (understandable copyright issues) on printing, I could have the inexpensive ebook, and print a hardcopy to take to the class. If you have printer issues (and you will) you will be penalized for those copies, whether they are printed, readable, or not. Subsequent downloads to override posed a different kind of printer issue, as it began printing pages 'backwards'...so I'm still out my pages. I'll have to buy the hardcopy anyway.

All the keys are here
If someone gave you a book that had the keys to learning in it, would you read it?You are a good teacher, so of course you would, and it is this book.Many books out there are some research, some theory--this book is all research-based strategies that are proven to work in a classroom, so there is no guessing if these are effective methods or not.
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Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Effective teaching    5. General    6. Research    7. Statistics    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    9. United States    10. Teaching skills & techniques   

Reviews (7)

Good practice - but also some good advice
I'm sure everyone knows that there are three preptests in this book. They are from three February exams which are usually undisclosed.
GET THIS BOOK
At first, I wasted my time with prep materials not written by the LSAC.Many of the questions seemed too easy or too hard.Additionally, many of these materials are plagued with typos, misreads and incorrect arguments.I suppose this is due to them being written by one, or maybe just a few, author(s).In contrast, the LSAT superprep is great.The questions are real LSAT tests from the past and the explanations help greatly.There are no typos I have found yet and the level of questions are much more realistic (actually, they're REAL so they must be realistic :). True, the material might be a bit dull at times but, Hey, that's how the test is anyway.You're not getting this book for entertainment, you're getting it to ace the LSAT.Good luck!

Highly Useful LSAT Prep Book
This book has some of the most cogent/coherent explanations and general overview of question types that LSAC has ever produced.The explanations are top quality and the overview is good.
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Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Essays    4. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)    5. Study Guides    6. Study Skills   

Reviews (5)

Whatever It Takes
This is a fantastic book that demonstrates what a committed community of learners can accomplish to improve learning for all students.The ideas are testimonials of ways to bring about change through Professional Learning Communities (PLC's).The most interesting findings in this book are that lots of money was not available to bring about these changes, in fact, most of the strategies involved taking what already existed and using time or professionals in a different manner.I am spellbound by the changes shared in the schools featured in this book.I applaud the commitment of each staff member that embraced the clarity of purpose, the collaborative culture, the collective inquiry into best practice and current reality, the action orientation, the commitment to continuous improvement, the focus on results, the support of strong principals who empower teachers, and those that remained committed to face adversity, conflict, and anxiety.BRAVO!!!

Well presented
Good ideas, well presented with real life examples and explanations for some of the easy criticisms. As stated in the book, this is not a new math or reading program, it is a strategy for reaching all students.

Putting the effort where it counts most
Studies of this sort seem most relevant when the overall budgets decrease the numbers of those professionals with time to concentrate on the poor performers. With specific kinds of testing and follow through individual students can be identified and helped before too much time has passed and the road to recovery looks too difficult. There are some excellent suggestions and descriptions of tried and true programs in this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aims & Objectives    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational change    5. Effective teaching    6. Philosophy & Social Aspects    7. School improvement programs    8. United States   

Reviews (2)

Written for children
...The problem is that this books seems like it was written for high school students. The first chapter opens with a self-diagnosis: "I clarify the group's goals and ensure that the goals are formulated so members 'sink or swim' together and are committed to achieve them." Or how about, "I advocate my views and challenge the views of others in order to create high-quality and creative decions." Joining Together is a Great Resource
I read this book as an assignment in a university sociology course.It is a great resouce to have on hand if you work with teams or are intersted in organizational/group behavior.Some of the activities have been used in my"Effective Social Relations" class and we found them not onlyfun, but educational.I have not read the 1999 edition, but am hoping toget it for a graduation present this April! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Group relations training    3. Leadership    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Group    6. Social groups    7. Counselling    8. Education / Leadership    9. Social, group or collective psychology   

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. School management and organiza    5. School management and organization    6. United States    7. Education / Administration   

Reviews (2)

A history of the IB, its increasing introduction in American school systems, and how it makes a difference
Jay Mathews & Ian Hill's Supertest: How The International Baccalaureate Can Strengthen Our Schools deftly assesses the statistics about the Baccalaureate, including its impact on student chances for success in college and life. Chapters provide a history of the IB, its increasing introduction in American school systems, and how it makes a difference in the transition to college. Sounds like dry reading: but the concurrent story of one American high school that adopted the IB adds a personal flavor and human interest touch to the statistics and discussions.

Your kids deserve IB - learn what it is and why from Jay
"Washington Post" reporter Jay Mathews extends his appreciation of challenge in our high schools by identifying the grandest and most challenging of them all:the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.Jay created "Newsweek" magazine's Challenge Index, and his writing is always approachable and easy to follow.This book maintains that special style.He writes here very specifically about a local DC-area high school and its experiences with beginning and maintaining the rigorous IB curriculum.You come to really care about the students and teachers he profiles, and to share their trials and successes and occasional failures with them.The book features an extremely effective method of integrating chapters about the creation and operation of the IB program as a whole - written by a co-author from the IB Organization - with chapters about Fairfax County, VA's Mount Vernon High School and the people involved with getting IB up and running there.And of the battles in Fairfax County and elsewhere about IB and its rival, the Advanced Placement (AP) program.In my mind there is no contest - IB is far and away the better program, especially for exposing kids to what college will be like.And there is no better predictor of success in college (i.e., graduating) than having taken at least one rigorous course in high school, especially one from IB which teaches how to think and plan and lean.But read Jay's book and decide for yourself.He does an excellent job of iterating the AP proponents concerns about IB, some legitimate - most not, and of exposing as fools or frauds a few of the opponents and their methods for keeping this excellent program out of their schools.They won, but did their kids a real disservice with their victory.
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Subjects:  1. Aptitude Testing    2. Curricula    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. History - General History    6. Secondary    7. Testing & Measurement    8. World - General    9. Examinations & assessment    10. History / World   

Reviews (19)

The American Accent Guide, 2nd ed.
As a non-native English speaker, I found that the AAG, 2nd edition is a great tool in learning pronunciation and intonation. I try to study and practice one cd a day. Although there are 8 cd's, I wish that the exercises in the grey pages were sounded out.

Was not so good as it appears...
This is a good book, but considering its price, I wouldn't buy it again.

Good but requires effort
My writing and vocabulary skills are quite developed, however, native speakers can sense the trace of an accent when I speak.
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Subjects:  1. English as a Second Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language    4. Language    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Language Experience Approach    7. Phonetics & Phonics    8. Speech    9. Accent reduction    10. American English    11. Dialects    12. English language    13. Pronunciation    14. Spoken English    15. United States   

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Administration - School Plant Management    3. Aims and objectives    4. Curricula    5. Education    6. Education / Teaching    7. Educational Policy & Reform    8. Educational change    9. School improvement programs    10. Testing & Measurement    11. United States   

Reviews (7)

Helpful guide
Although I've written many research papers, I found this book to be a great guide to help me 'fill in' the missing pieces in my work.It provides useful guidelines in all phases of research writing, from picking the right topic to statistical techniques.

Practical Research Book Review
Great book, it is very easy to follow and understand.It provides great samples and guides on how to do a research paper. I certainly would recommend it to anyone that needs help or guidance on research project writing.

Required Reading
Practical Research actually is required reading for my Ph.D. Since it is a text book is does cost a lot. It was the same price at Amazon as it would have been to order it through my university. However, the shipping was free with Amazon, so I came out ahead. The book is well written, in plain English. The advice is practical. Some of the advice about using technology is a bit behind the times, but that is to be expected. The font size is small, but this would not be a problem for most people under 40. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. Methodology    3. Reference    4. Research    5. Research & Methodology    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Study Skills    9. Education / Testing & Measurement    10. Philosophy of science   

Reviews (25)

Excellent Strategies!
I love this book!I have used it for several years in an elementary classroom and have had the pleasure of seeing her in a workshop. She is fantastic!Her ideas are clear, easy to use and very effective.I highly recommend this for teachers and parents.

Great resource for primary teachers
This is a great resource if you want to know how to teach comprehension in grades K-2.As a former teacher of upper grades, I found it very helpful in understanding how the younger children learn.

An easily read and practical read
This is a book that makes the reading process very practical and seemingly manageable for someone interested in providing a program for emerging and transitional readers. Its straight forward and practical. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. General    5. Language Experience Approach    6. Reading (Primary)    7. Reading comprehension    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading   

Reviews (10)

I've never read a more interactive book!
I have read a lot of books recently to increase my work knowledge, and I have to say that this book was the easiest and most fun to read.The writers have done an excellent job getting the reader involved, which increases the amount of information one is able to remember.This book is a real pionner in how to write educative books.Oh, yea, and the content was outstanding!

Telling Aint Training
Great book!! Any body in the training field should get a copy. Herald Stolovitch and Erica Keeps keep the reader involved throughout the entire book with constant examples and activities that are very interesting and fun. I am in the US military and training is constant in my job. Techniques are drawn out and easy to understand, making it easy for anybody to comprehend and transfer to their own training. The use of the five step training model really sets up how a training session should be held. I will use this book over and over again in the development of my professional training career.

Gets to the Heart of Training
Stolovitch gets to the heart of training--changing the behavior of the trainees. Whether you are giving a short speech or conducting a three day training session, Stolovitch shows how simply dumping facts (what everybody does) is never effective. This message can not be said enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Economics / Training    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Educational Psychology    6. Employee Training And Development    7. Employee training personnel    8. Employees    9. Human Resources & Personnel Management    10. Learning    11. Learning (Psychology)    12. Training    13. Training of    14. Employee training directors    15. Learning, Psychology of    16. Non-Classifiable    17. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (2)

Psychological Testing: Principles, Applications, and Issues 6th edition CD
This is an excellent CD containing the test bank of test items that accompany Kaplan and Saccuzzo's Psychological Testing: Principles, Applications, and Issues 6th edition for instructors.
Psychological testing, principles, applications and issues
I have read many books in the psychology field, and I thought this book did an excellent job of presenting clear and concise information on psychological testing. The book focused on the various testing techniques that are used in the psychology field.It raised important issues aroundhow to appropriately apply testing and why we use them.i recommend thisbook to professionals in the field or to anyine who may have a curiosityabout psychological testing in general.It's a real eye opener!Yourinterest won't fade out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assessment, Testing & Measurement    2. Psychological tests    3. Psychology    4. Education / Testing & Measurement    5. Psychological testing & measurement   

Reviews (4)

Hidden Gem!
I happened to find this book while browsing the teaching section.It has truly been a great resource that every (new) teacher should have.Unlike most of our teacher ed. programs, this book gives practical information about how to run a classroom.You won't regret buying this book, it is a wonderful resource!

A great resource for any teacher!
My school district gave every new teacher a copy of this book.The new teacher that I am mentoring shared it with me.After reading through it I was excited to find a book that focuses on instruction instead of some silver-bullet discipline plan.The instructional strategies are written clearly and consisely.Both of us bring our copies of Why Didn't I Learn This in College? and use them as we plan our units and lessons every Monday for the following week.I highly recommend this book to any teacher.

An ESSENTIAL for All Educators!
Practical, positive, and pure Paula! WHY DIDN'T I LEARN THIS IS COLLEGE? is an ESSENTIAL professional resource for educators at all levels of experience! Paula Rutherford applies her 30 years of teaching and educational leadership to create this book of research-based teaching tips and user-friendly tools that will help increase student achievement in our classrooms. She offers a logical framework for creating learning-centered environments, planning "with the 'end' in mind", and organizing learners and professional tasks for positive results for students, parents, and teachers. Read more

Subjects:  1. Classroom management    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General    5. Educational Policy & Reform    6. First year teachers    7. Higher    8. Professional Development    9. Teaching    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - General   

Reviews (2)

Professional Learning Communities at Work (Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement)
Professional Learning Communities at Work (Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement) by Dr. Richard Dufour and Dr. Robert Eaker, is a well-written/user-friendly piece of literature.This book may be useful as a text for graduate and/or post-graduate level students who are studying and/or working within the area of education, administration, and/or curriculum and instruction.It is also an excellent resource to have if you are dealing with staff and/or curriculum development.The basic premise of the book goes about showing how (via PLC's (Professional Learning Communities)/Small Learning Communities) school staff and administration can work collaboratively to help change, redefine, and/or shape their school's mission and goals.Through this teaming process and through the steps/best practices the authors suggest; school improvement, cultural change, and positive curriculum development and implementation can more likely be achieved.

Practices from some of the best schools in the country
The collaborative work of Richard DuFour (Superintendent of Adlai Stevenson High School District 125, Lincolnshire, Illinois) and Robert Eaker (Dean of the College of Education, Middle Tennessee State University), Professional Learning Communities At Work: Best Practices For Enhancing Student Achievement offers the reader informed and informative information on how to transform any private or public school into a results-oriented "professional learning community" based upon practices from some of the best schools in the country. Professional Learning Communities At Work covers curriculum development, teacher preparation, school leadership, professional development programs, school-parent partnerships, and assessment practices. Of vital interest to education professionals, Professional Learning Communities At Work is completely accessible and highly recommended reading for parents and other non-specialist general readers with an interest in improving their community schools and school systems.
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Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Educational Reform    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Policy & Reform    5. Educational change    6. Group work in education    7. Leadership    8. Professional Development    9. School improvement programs    10. Team learning approach in educ    11. Team learning approach in education    12. United States    13. Educational Reform   

Reviews (110)

Fine if you are raising a military cadet
[I listened to the unabridged audiobook version of this book]
What I Discovered About Successful Student Discovery
This book must not be passed up by parents of students who enter classrooms and are already equipped with sufficient sensitivity, ability, motivation and innate self esteem to love learning and be successful without being discovered. I recommend it so that you may all cheerfully weather the process.Then pass the book on to your kids, parents.It is a must read for all of you.It would be an excellent required text for elementary students who are gifted in sensitivity, ability, motivation and/or innate self esteem or need for same.Ask them to examine and evaluate prize-winning teacher metacognition so as to better appreciate it and/or possibly get a leg up on it for their own present and future leadership development and advancement.Cut to the chase and involve students right up front in the shaping of the shaping of their shaping, so to speak.It is a fascinating study of the uses of power For Their Own Good and Our Own Professional Success.Every teacher and trainer of teachers should read this book in the highly likely event that their own future leadership development and advancement will be similarly shaped.Heads up!What's good for the goslings is surely good for the geese!Read it to your students and cut right to the social skills chase, why not, and stimulate some lively discussions about the meaning of success from a variety of viewpoints as well. There's plenty for plenty of people to think about in this book.
Well-marketed fluff
The problem with American education today is not that we don't have enough teachers like Ron Clark.The problem is that teachers like Ron Clark are being presented as models of good teaching.As the posted customer reviews reveal, more and more teachers are emulating this model, and our national educational system continues its steady decline.What is this model?Clark's students have fun.They really like him.He's making "connections" with them, by taking them to basketball games, baking them cookies, playing with them during recess, and otherwise entertaining them.Sure, they're engaged in the classroom, but to what?That his lessons consist of a whim isn't important, because he puts on a darn good show.His audience - and that's what his students become - predictably comes to enjoy school.Thus he has fewer discipline problems, but probably not because of the rules he's selling here.(Aren't most kids well behaved when they're being entertained?)Some learning occurs, too, but unfortunately one of the greatest lessons his students must receive is that every gain in life ought to be loads of fun and every reward ought to immediate and tangible.For all his efforts to instill discipline, his students can't possibly have learned self-motivation.Whatever ability they have in the future to meet a challenge that involves real work and pays only in personal satisfaction will not have come from his instruction.Yes, his is an inspiring (and let's be honest, politically correct) story, and by all accounts he is a dynamic public speaker - perhaps the two essential elements in becoming Disney's Teacher of the Year.But what we have here is the same "style over substance" formula that has been ruining our nation's schools for some time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Teaching    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    6. Education / Leadership   

Reviews (1)

Great Results
It was a wonderful first time for me purchasing from Amazon.The books came in perfect conditions and in a timely manner.I am very satisfied with the results of my purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bilingual Education    2. Education    3. English As A Second Language    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. General    6. ELT: teaching theory & methods    7. Education / Bilingual Education    8. English    9. Industrial or vocational training   

Reviews (1)

Develops six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools
Failure Is Not An Option: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement In High-performing Schools is an impressive introduction to enhancing student performance which directly addresses transforming theory into practice and illustrating diverse applications with case studies and vignettes. Failure Is Not An Option develops six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools. Also available in a hardcover edition, Failure Is Not An Option is especially commended to the attention of administrators and faculty responsible for providing primary leadership in developing curriculum and policies for meeting enhanced federal and state standards for individual school and school district criteria under the "no child left behind" education standards for student academic performance levels.
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Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Administration - General    3. Aims & Objectives    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Educational leadership    7. Leadership    8. School improvement programs    9. United States    10. Education / Leadership    11. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (3)

Great Transaction-Great Product-Fast Shipping
Everything went smooth!Not a single problem.Thank you Amazon.com!:)

Educational Research : Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research (2nd Edition)
This is a wonderful detailed roadmap that I will use for my dissertation.

Talented Author, Extraordinary Book.
This book is an authoritative text on educational research. The method of organization is friendly and very logical. For advanced researchers, this book must be complemented by a comprehensive book of statistics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Research    4. Guidance & Orientation    5. Methodology    6. Research    7. Social Sciences Research    8. Education / Guidance & Orientation   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Policy & Reform    4. Experimental Methods    5. Professional Development   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Reference On Current Teaching Challenges
This was a text book for my now completed first education class, "The Diverse Classroom". We did not have to read the entire book, just Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 12, so I base my review on those chapers. This book is rich in detail on the challenges faced in contemporary classrooms. It is well written, and has very complete and thorough references. In addition to raising awareness of key issues, it provides many practical suggestions for application.
Perfect condition
The book I recieved was in perfect condition, packed well, and better than I expected. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational Psychology    4. Psychology    5. Education / Educational Psychology