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Calling all teachers!

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Buyers Banter: Calling all teachers! users admin

Author Message
Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 1:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
For the last couple of hours, I have been grazing through Amazon looking for books for ds. He has asked for books on how to survive as a first time teacher/student teacher. (His major is English, minor Geography, middle and highschool).
Those Amazon reviews ain't what they used to be. The only book I found where customer reviewers (aka teachers) have bothered to comment and agree is When Kids Can't Read, What Teachers Can Do, A Guide for Teachers, 6-12.

Have any of you come across a teacher's guide that you wish you had had when you first started out?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 2:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
What (age/subjects) is he teaching? Or has he not yet started? My brother just recently started teaching and I don't remember my mom (social studies-middle school teacher for 30 years) giving him any books. But I will ask....

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 2:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
I remember seeing Ron Clark on Oprah--he was a guy who went to teach in Harlem and was so effective he was named teacher of he year a couple years ago. He has a book called The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child link...it focuses on respect, discipline, etc.

To me, the best book about teaching is Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paolo Freire, but that might be another conversation altogether. [Ha! I just looked at Amazon and a reviewer called the book "pernicious"!]

Sherbabe
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 5:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sherbabe a private message Print Post    
OMG, Tish. Thank you so must for reminding me of that teacher and his book. My son is fresman in college wanted to be an educator. This should be a bible to all future teachers.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 7:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Julie, he just finished his first stint as student teacher (middle and highschool, English and Geography), and says he learned more during those 5 weeks than in the previous months at uni.
There is a big difference between theory and practice in most things; I figured a "been there, done that" kinda book of tips for the first timer would help out.

That Ron Clark sounds like a definite possibility. Thanks, Tish.
(Had to look up ""pernicious" first) The reviews on amazon.ca were very harsh as well. It sounds like a "theories" book; what I am looking for is more something of a "practical" nature.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 11:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
Lum, the absolute BEST book for a student teacher or first year teacher is Harry Wong's "The first day of school". It is very practical and helps with all of the routines and things that teachers need to do. I wish I had written it. It is a great read for an undergrad. THis is a PRACTICAL book and wonderful.

I love Freire, but I find that most undergrads/new teachers need the practical over the theoretical.

I love Howard Gardner's books on Multiple Intelligences. Frames of Mind is great, and the other books. Personally I like Bruner's circa 1960 book on "The Process of Learning", but again that one is theoretical.

As a student teacher supervisor, I require "The first day of school" and my new teachers really like it....

I think it fits your bill.

I will probably think of a few more books for you when I wake up!

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 7:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Oooooh, Marm, thanks a bunch. I'll hold off ordering for another couple of days, in case you or anyone else has a few more ideas.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 3:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
It's been far too long out of the classroom for me to identify many specific books, but I will tell you that he needs:

1. A book about discipline. It is a must for middle school. And also for any beginning teacher. I simply don't know what to recommend. Maybe someone else does.

2. I still swear by the incredible amount of ideas presented in the book--esp for English teachers (as you see, Amazon.com has it):

1

Oh, there's nothing subversive about it. Just solid ideas for use in the classroom.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 3:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Thanks so much for all your responses.

The definitely decided books are:

The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher with CDROM

The Essential 55: An Award Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child

Teaching As a Subversive Activity

THE UNAUTHORIZED TEACHER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE by Warner and Bryan

The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Children

Papers, Papers, Papers: An English Teacher's Survival Guide

I am willing to spend another $50 or so, but don't know which ones would be the most beneficial. Is anyone familiar with any of these books:

Your First Year As a Highschool Teacher:Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional $16.53

Fred Jones Tools for Teaching: Discipline, Instruction, Motivation $23.50

First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit: Ready-to-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities for Meeting the Challenges of Each School Day $22.67

First Time in the High School Classroom: Essential Guide for the New Teacher: Essential Guide for the New Teacher $35.07

What Great Teachers Do Differently: Fourteen Things That Matter Most $23.50

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 6:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
It looks like everyone has got this well covered, Lum.

Personally, I used to subscribe to teaching magazines (like this one and I definitely recommend that your ds join the MLA (Modern Language Association) if he has not already done so. The MLA provides the most up-to-date information on the subject English including writing and literature.

I do remember seeing the teacher whom Tish spoke of and he was inspiring and inspired. His book would be a good one I am certain.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 8:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
One other suggestion that is not a book but is extremely helpful -- he should definitely get a membership at NCTE (National Council for Teachers of English); with the membership comes a subscription to the English Journal. It is written BY teachers, FOR teachers and has awesome articles. They have a website at ncte.org that also has links to many helpful ideas.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Friday, December 02, 2005 - 8:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Vee and Teach, thanks bunches! You gave me an idea so I googled up a Canadian Teachers magazine which I am getting him a subscription to.