So I've made up a wish list on Amazon of books I want to buy (with help from the forum's fabulous suggestions. My Hubby & I will be celebrating our 4th Wedding anniversary tomorrow & he says that I can pick a book from the list for a gift. So, in your opinion, which book would you pick, if you could just choose one, & why? The books currently on my list: The Organized Teacher: A Hands-On Guide to Setting Up and Running a Terrific Classroom by Brandy Alexander First Year Teacher's Survival Guide: Ready-To-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities for Meeting the Challenges of Each School Day by Julia Thompson Your First Year As an Elementary School Teacher : Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional You Have to Go to School...You're the Teacher!: 300+ Classroom Management Strategies to Make Your Job Easier and More Fun The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher The Daily Five Thanks! PS :sorry: for the long post, I wanted to just post the link for the wishlist, but since I'm still new, it wouldn't let me
I love love love love The Organized Teacher. It really has helped to get me organized! It's mostly for K-6 but I teach 6-12 self-contained special ed. and it is very relevent for me. Actually I have two copies.
Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College by Doug Lemov. I can't say enough great things about this book. I wish I had it last year when I started teaching. I wish I had it at the beginning of this year. It's practical, succinct and comes with a DVD that illustrates the different techniques.
First Days of School was extremely helpful prior to beginning my first year. (Are you just starting out? Couldn't tell.) It depends on what you're going for. Isn't Daily 5 a series of literacy stratagies for elementary? Not sure - haven't read it. Sounds good though. First Days is more basic classroom management skills. On your next anniversary, you might want to pick up "Teaching with Love and Logic" for behavior strategies. Good stuff.
Daily Five is dealing with Literacy, but it is also an important resource when I think about classroom management...
I vote Tools for Teaching...but the Organized Teacher is now on my summer reading list...I am far from it, and I have never heard of it before
@Zoomzoomzoom I am new, I haven't started teaching yet, I am a LONG way away from starting my teaching career. Thank you for the book suggestion, I will put it on my list
I also vote for Tools for Teaching. I recommend that more than First Days. I also recommend my website! It's good easy reading! Hahaha!
I have also learned so much from Tools for Teaching. Much more do this, set up desks like this, much more practical advice and steps that you can follow.
I can tell you that I've had #'s 2, 3, and 4. They are so similar and they didn't really help much. I would go with the Daily 5. I've heard really great things about it!
First Days of School seems to be the go-to book around here. I see it in most of the classrooms where I sub. That doesn't mean people read it....I've had it on my bedside table for months and keep finding other things to read instead...
When I read the title of this thread, my immediate suggestion was Fred Jones Tools For Teaching without having read from your list. I think you'll be amazed at the wealth of information and insight into student behavior in this book.
I've read both Fred Jones and Harry Wong. Read Harry Wong first and thought it had lots of really good information in it - but it wasn't the most user-friendly read. It's set up is rather confusing. Then I got Fred Jones and it's basically all the Harry Wong stuff - but in a more user-friendly format. Either one would work - but don't waste your money on getting both of them. (Fred Jones was a gift from my mentoring program.)
Yeah, I got Harry Wong first and couldn't make it half-way through it. It's in my book graveyard now.
Man, I thought I was the only one who didn't like the Wong book. I was so psyched to get it after reading countless posts on how it was the Must Have Teacher Bible of sorts. It was a real snore.
:lol: I have my Harry too...although I kept it handy when it came time for my evaluation this last time. I'm a suck up, what can I say. My boss asked if I've ever heard of him (trick question of course) and I whipped it out and showed him my marked/sticky note covered book (I did all that over two years ago, but it seemed to make a good impression at the time). Thanks for sharing about Fred. I'll have to check out Fred. Oh, have fun shopping!
I would check your public library before purchasing these books. More than likely they will have a few of them. That way you can look at them and see if they are what you are looking for.... Just a thought (from a librarian)
Thanks for the idea of checking them out at the library...that way I can see if they are really worth the money or not. Thanks so much
And, if your library doesn't have them, ask if you can get them from interlibrary loan. Most libraries are part of a network that loans books to other library patrons. I get TONS of books through interlibrary loan.
Another vote for Tools for Teaching, particularly if you are headed towards a career in midde/upper grade classroom teaching though - it's not as rich in practical advice for the primary teachers, though still good. Has anyone read Cornerstone yet? I was HOOKED to Ms. Powell's website my whole first year teaching, so I'm intrigued about her book but haven't gotten to it yet...
