Koncocoo

Best Education Theory

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a complete, step-by-step program that shows parents simply and clearly how to teach their children to read. One hundred lessons, fully illustrated and color-coded for clarity, give your child the basic and more advanced skills needed to become a good reader.Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons will bring you and your child closer together, while giving your child the reading skills needed now, for a better chance at tomorrow. (Point to m )I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is mmmmmm. (Point to s. )I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is ssssss. TASK 2 SAY IT FAST. My turn: motor (pause) boat. (To correct child saying word slowly -- for example, "motor [pause] boat":) You didn't say it fast. Here's saying it fast: motorboat. Listen: ice (pause) cream. Listen: sis (pause) ter. Listen: ham (pause) burger. Listen: mmmeee. Listen: iiifff. (Repeat any words child had trouble with.). I'm going to say some words slowly, without stopping. Listen: aaammm. Listen: mmmeee. Listen: iiinnn. Listen: shshsheee. Now it's your turn to say the words slowly with me. (To correct if child stops between sounds -- for example, "aaa [pause] mmm":) Don't stop. (Don't pause between sounds a and m as you say aaammm. ). (Repeat until child responds with you.). Your turn to say words slowly by yourself. Good saying the words slowly. (Touch first ball for m,) Get ready. (Touch first ball for s.) Get ready. TASK 5 SAY IT FAST. Listen: motor (pause) cycle. TASK 6 SOUNDS WRITING. You're going to write a sound on each line. I'll show you how to make each sound. Then you'll write each sound. Here's the first sound you're going to write. (Point to m.) What sound? (Help child trace sound two or three times. Child is then to make three to five m 's on top line. For each acceptable letter child makes, say:) Good writing mmm. Here's how to make sss. Point to s.) What sound? (Help child trace sound two or three times. Child is then to make three to five s's on second line. For each acceptable letter child makes, say:) Good writing sss. (Point to m.) I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is mmmmmm.
Reviews
"I become painfully aware of how naive I was to the processes of reading when my daughter was at the age that she should be knowing her letters and stuff. Despite the fact that my husband and I are voracious readers, and that we read to our daughter daily, she had developed a loathing towards all things letters. When she was still mixing up her letters and sounds, and resistant towards all reading games at 5 years old, I began to worry. So I scoured the internet for various books and programs to help me, as I, by then, understood fully I knew jack squat about how to teach a kid to read."
"To me, this is actually a bonus because I want my boys to learn that boring isn't bad and that sitting still is a skill just as much as reading. When reading the slow way, they step from one sound to the next, if they're not sounding it out, they can't move- that helped with pausing."
"Good teaching manual for non teachers."
"My daughter, the home schooler, has more energy for the task than I would have and will probably benefit from the book."
"I love the fact that I get to teach my kids kid at a pace I know they will grasp everything that is taught to them."
"I have a moderately bright 4 year old who has NO interest in learning new things, and she dove into this."
"Excellent source for teaching your child to read."
"This technique makes a lot of sense to me."
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The Art Of War
Note: The chapters in the book are not in order and it is intentional. 1.
Reviews
"I want to tell future readers of this book in this way. I read it first when I was 14 or 15."
"A great short read, the laws can be applied to not only warfare, but everyday life and any problems that may arise."
"I received and read this book all in one day."
"The Art of War takes the battle plans and uses psychological principles to win against any enemy."
"Great job providing "The Art of War" affordably."
"Friend: "Do you read the bible?""
"There's one chapter out of order, which is certainly a mistake and weird, but not super bad."
"Eager to learn how to walk that fine line that makes the difference between winning or losing? Want to learn how to always come out on top--no fuss--no muss? Learn how to handle a situation without the situation handling you---learn how to handle a "situation" correctly."
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Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
This updated and revised edition of the American Book Award-winner and national bestseller revitalizes the truth of America’s history, explores how myths continue to be perpetrated, and includes a new chapter on 9/11 and the Iraq War. James W. Loewen is the bestselling author of Lies My Teacher Told Me and Lies Across America.
Reviews
"Bought this for my step-father who is a bit of a conspiracy theorist and he loved it!"
"If there's one book you read as a teenager... this should be it."
"just an all around great read."
"Interesting and refreshing read."
"So informative and unbiased."
"Great read!"
"Was "borrowed" years ago and wanted to read again."
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Best Education Administration

The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity
If we want innovative students, we need innovative educators. Connect with other innovative educators Support teachers and leaders as learners Tap into the strength of your learning community Create ongoing opportunities for innovation Seek more effective methods for measuring progress And, most importantly, embrace change and use it to do something amazing. With numerous examples of practical strategies that school leaders can implement tomorrow, George has created a guide to help infuse innovative practices in schools and classrooms.
Reviews
"The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity. The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros is a must read for anyone looking to shift their mindset within the education setting."
"It is really for anyone interested in others' learning. If you are a teacher, parent, or student - anyone that cares about learning - you can find something valuable."
"Most importantly, the book discusses very practical ways to become an innovative and growing professional, open to change, and willing to lead systemic movements for progress in education."
"I wore out my highlighter and nodded my head while screaming 'YES" as tears of joy streamed down my face."
"The personal stories and background he provides,the style in which the book is written, plus the humorous references and other anecdotes throughout, really engage the reader and make it meaningful and enjoyable to read."
"As someone who is wanting to move into administration, these ideas are the types of ideas I hope to carry into my future role. Follow George Couros on Twitter and become connected with thousands of other educators looking to be innovative and change the face of education."
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Best Education Assessment

Scholastic Success with Reading Comprehension, Grade 3
Wolfe taught in elementary schools for 10 years and holds a Bachelor's degree in elementary education with an early childhood endorsement. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
"Excellent for homework assignments."
"My son was having trouble in social studies, so his teacher recommended getting one of these to help him improve his reading skills."
"I think its too easy for 3rd graders..but its okay if you just want to give your child something to do over the summer."
"Great refresher."
"My 7 year old uses these for extra reinforcement at home!"
"My daughter is 7 and she's going through this book very quickly."
"This was a very good book, and I look forward to purchasing more to help my kid."
"I bought several learning books on amazon and this was one of the first ones we finished."
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Best Educational Psychology

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Good teaching, we believe, should be creatively tailored to the different learning styles of students and should use strategies that make learning easier. More complex and durable learning come from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. If you want to read a lively and engaging book on the science of learning, this is a must… Make It Stick benefits greatly from its use of stories about people who have achieved mastery of complex knowledge and skills. Over the course of the book, the authors weave together stories from an array of learners―surgeons, pilots, gardeners, and school and university students―to illustrate their arguments about how successful learning takes place… This is a rich and resonant book and a pleasurable read that will leave you pondering the processes through which you, and your students, acquire new knowledge and skills. Anyone with an interest in teaching or learning will benefit from reading this book, which not only presents thoroughly grounded research but does so in an eminently readable way that is accessible even to students. Aimed primarily at students, parents, and teachers, Make It Stick also offers practical advice for learners of all ages, at all stages of life… With its credible challenge to conventional wisdom, Make It Stick does point the way forward, with a very real prospect of tangible and enduring benefits. But the authors don’t simply recite the research; they show readers how it is applied in real-life learning scenarios, with engaging stories of real people in academic, professional, and sports environments… The learning strategies proposed in this book can be implemented immediately, at no cost, and to great effect… Make It Stick will help you become a much more productive learner.
Reviews
"But the main "thesis" of Peter Brown's book - aside from being a summary of what cognitive science data shows about how we learn - is basically that many of the things we often assume about learning are wrong. We all have learning styles that are the way we learn best. While we all certainly have learning preferences (I like to receive my information in written form), that doesn't mean we learn best when receiving information in that form (I can do as well when I receive information audibly as when it is written, even though I prefer the latter). Brown reviews literature that shows that, at least as of now, there is no evidence that shows that how one receives information substantially affects how well we learn the material (after all, hearing or reading a phone number is immaterial to what i am remembering: not the sound or sight of the number, but the number itself). Also, another factor that affects how well we learn is our mindset, whether we learn for mastery or learn for performance. Those who learn for performance - so that they can show how good they are - tend to tackle learning new things (things that might make them look bad) with trepidation, but those who learn for mastery aspire to acquire new skills openly, without regard to whether they will fail before mastering."
"Well, after reading through reviews I found the article this was based on - if you have good google skills, then you should be able to find the PDF for free (I did): What Works, What Doesn't - Some study techniques accelerate learning, wheras other are just a waste of time -. The Scientific American Mind (mind.scientificamerican.com) - by John Dunlosky, Katherine Rawon, Elizabeth Marsh, Mitchell Nathan and Daniel Willingham. This is a little 6 page article which seems to explain >80% of the key points listed in this book."
"Most of us will focus on the prescriptions of Chapter 8: e.g. avoid rereading as a primary study method, and do use the blank paper assessment test, etc.. =====. While reading, I noticed two points made by the authors that will shape your experience: 1) page ix in the Preface: "first author is a storyteller". 2) page 200: "early readers (of the book draft) urged the author to get specific with practical advice". I agree with reviewers Soumen, T. Pagni, Economist: yes, the book could've been much shorter and focused on the advice. I also agree with the numerous reviewers who praise it: yes it provides excellent practical insight into the best ways to learn (both physical and mental tasks). I'm now prepared to wade through long winded stories to find the main points. - sustained, deliberate practice, even when it feels ponderous, is helping me learn. - Trust the process of study, forget, retrieve. Upon revisiting the material, I found myself *wanting* to find and connect the ideas spread across the stories and the book. During retrieval practice, I actually started remembering some of the advice from the stories, moreso than from the explicit recommendations. RELATE IT TO WHAT I ALREADY KNOW: I consider this book (MIS) a valuable complement to What Smart Students Know by A. Robinson (WSSK). WSSK tells you in much greater detail what to do while you are a matriculating student i.e. how to approach the conventional schooling process, how to assess class/book structure, how to relate the material to what you've learned, what specifically you should during the pre-study, study and post-study periods. Personally, the advice in this book is worth far more than the cost of $21, and a few hours of reading, reflection and note-taking that I paid for it."
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Best Experimental Education Methods

Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.
In Culturize, author and education leader Jimmy Casas shares insights into what it takes to cultivate a community of learners who embody the innately human traits our world desperately needs, such as kindness, honesty, and compassion. "Culturize represents a magnificent manifesto where he gives readers a. bullseye view of practical strategies to improve the learning culture of. any school or district.”. "Filled with insights that only a seasoned leader and teacher could. provide, *Culturize* is an epic read that provides a reason for making. culture be the focus of all the best work we do in our schools. "In *Culturize*, Jimmy Casas equips educators to become the change agents. who transform school culture from average to amazing." “Jimmy knows school culture. Your school culture is too important to miss out on reading. this book. - David Geurin, Author of Future Driven, NASSP National Digital Principal, and Lead Learner at Bolivar High School, Missouri. “Casas amps up the important conversations we all need to have on what it. takes to establish an impactful school culture. Your mindset on culture. will change in a positive way once you open this book.”. “When I heard that Jimmy Casas was writing a book on school culture, I. couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. - Jessica Cabeen, Principal, 2017 Minnesota National Distinguished. Principal, 2016 NAESP Digital Leader for Early Learning, Author and Speaker. “If you are a "student" of school culture, this book must be on your shelf. as a daily reference tool and reflection guide."
Reviews
"The book is not only full of great anecdotes that can serve as a motivation for educators working hard on a daily basis, but more importantly can allow us to see how these intentional acts can impact our students and our schools."
"While initially hesitant, I soon found that Mr. Casas has managed to place my primary concerns and challenges as a building level leader into a reader-friendly book with actionable steps to create a positive culture in our building."
"When school culture refuses to let status quo be the standard, schools are transformed into amazing places where all staff champions for all students, every staff member expects excellence for one another and their students, all staff members carry the banner for their schools, and all staff chooses to be a merchant of home."
"One of the best books I've read on school leadership!"
"This is a book that can and should be read by classroom teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards...heck, anyone who is in the business of educating kids!"
""Press pause and ask yourself what the situation requires..." this simple but insightful example of Jimmy's advice as an educational leader comes through in this beautifully written book about how to Culturize your school."
"No matter what your role is within your organization or how long you may have been in that role, this book will make you rethink and question how you can build a culture in which everyone thrives."
"Jimmy inspires, and what struck me the most was his personal story that was so expertly weaved into his writing."
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Best History of Education

The Art Of War
Note: The chapters in the book are not in order and it is intentional. 1.
Reviews
"I want to tell future readers of this book in this way. I read it first when I was 14 or 15."
"A great short read, the laws can be applied to not only warfare, but everyday life and any problems that may arise."
"I received and read this book all in one day."
"The Art of War takes the battle plans and uses psychological principles to win against any enemy."
"Great job providing "The Art of War" affordably."
"Friend: "Do you read the bible?""
"There's one chapter out of order, which is certainly a mistake and weird, but not super bad."
"Eager to learn how to walk that fine line that makes the difference between winning or losing? Want to learn how to always come out on top--no fuss--no muss? Learn how to handle a situation without the situation handling you---learn how to handle a "situation" correctly."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Language Experience Approach to Teaching

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a complete, step-by-step program that shows parents simply and clearly how to teach their children to read. One hundred lessons, fully illustrated and color-coded for clarity, give your child the basic and more advanced skills needed to become a good reader.Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons will bring you and your child closer together, while giving your child the reading skills needed now, for a better chance at tomorrow. (Point to m )I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is mmmmmm. (Point to s. )I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is ssssss. TASK 2 SAY IT FAST. My turn: motor (pause) boat. (To correct child saying word slowly -- for example, "motor [pause] boat":) You didn't say it fast. Here's saying it fast: motorboat. Listen: ice (pause) cream. Listen: sis (pause) ter. Listen: ham (pause) burger. Listen: mmmeee. Listen: iiifff. (Repeat any words child had trouble with.). I'm going to say some words slowly, without stopping. Listen: aaammm. Listen: mmmeee. Listen: iiinnn. Listen: shshsheee. Now it's your turn to say the words slowly with me. (To correct if child stops between sounds -- for example, "aaa [pause] mmm":) Don't stop. (Don't pause between sounds a and m as you say aaammm. ). (Repeat until child responds with you.). Your turn to say words slowly by yourself. Good saying the words slowly. (Touch first ball for m,) Get ready. (Touch first ball for s.) Get ready. TASK 5 SAY IT FAST. Listen: motor (pause) cycle. TASK 6 SOUNDS WRITING. You're going to write a sound on each line. I'll show you how to make each sound. Then you'll write each sound. Here's the first sound you're going to write. (Point to m.) What sound? (Help child trace sound two or three times. Child is then to make three to five m 's on top line. For each acceptable letter child makes, say:) Good writing mmm. Here's how to make sss. Point to s.) What sound? (Help child trace sound two or three times. Child is then to make three to five s's on second line. For each acceptable letter child makes, say:) Good writing sss. (Point to m.) I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is mmmmmm.
Reviews
"I become painfully aware of how naive I was to the processes of reading when my daughter was at the age that she should be knowing her letters and stuff. Despite the fact that my husband and I are voracious readers, and that we read to our daughter daily, she had developed a loathing towards all things letters. When she was still mixing up her letters and sounds, and resistant towards all reading games at 5 years old, I began to worry. So I scoured the internet for various books and programs to help me, as I, by then, understood fully I knew jack squat about how to teach a kid to read."
"To me, this is actually a bonus because I want my boys to learn that boring isn't bad and that sitting still is a skill just as much as reading. When reading the slow way, they step from one sound to the next, if they're not sounding it out, they can't move- that helped with pausing."
"Good teaching manual for non teachers."
"My daughter, the home schooler, has more energy for the task than I would have and will probably benefit from the book."
"I love the fact that I get to teach my kids kid at a pace I know they will grasp everything that is taught to them."
"I have a moderately bright 4 year old who has NO interest in learning new things, and she dove into this."
"Excellent source for teaching your child to read."
"This technique makes a lot of sense to me."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Philosophy & Social Aspects of Education

The Power of a Plant: A Teacher's Odyssey to Grow Healthy Minds and Schools
In The Power of a Plant, globally acclaimed teacher and self-proclaimed CEO (Chief Eternal Optimist) Stephen Ritz shows you how, in one of the nation’s poorest communities, his students thrive in school and in life by growing, cooking, eating, and sharing the bounty of their green classroom. As Ritz likes to say, “Fifty thousand pounds of vegetables later, my favorite crop is organically grown citizens who are growing and eating themselves into good health and amazing opportunities.”. His story will touch your heart and propel you to plant a seed!”. ― Nona Evans , president and executive director of Whole Kids Foundation. “In his new book The Power of a Plant, Stephen Ritz weaves a beautiful personal tale of how boundless passion, purpose, and hope can move generations of students in New York’s tough South Bronx to realize their untapped human potential. The Power of a Plant outlines the remarkable work he has done to date and provides a blueprint for how educators around the world can implement his learnings effectively.”. ― Tom Colicchio , chef and owner of Crafted Hospitality.
Reviews
"I just got the book yesterday and I'm so glad I did!!"
"Like the glory of stars in the night sky, a mountain panorama, or rolling ocean waves pounding the coast, Stephen Ritz's passion, creativity, love and his personal preservation of the wonder of childhood is one of those times when God tips his hand."
"The book is also an excellent illustration of how different aspects of sustainability complement each other: Growing food locally using natural methods will protect the environment, educate the community, improve people's diets and bring money to the growers."
"Stephen's wisdom is rich and deep, but it is his compassionate pursuit of justice and empowerment of marginalized persons and communities that resonates within my spirit and my heart and indeed my very being. Reading this incredible testimony and history of a life well spent only had served in making me devoted and more engaged in the global Good Food Machine which Stephen and his inspired minions of supporters are and creating."
"This should be required high school reading for how to find satisfying life work."
"We find the catalyst that reaches them and speaks to them and we use it and leverage it to make them problem solvers, critical thinkers, analyzers, mathematicians and scientist and so much more."
"A must read book."
"His passion for teaching and building relationships with children and the community is inspiring!!"
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Best Education Reform & Policy

Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men
you will learn about: • The early warning signs of abuse. • The nature of abusive thinking. • Myths about abusers. • Ten abusive personality types. • The role of drugs and alcohol. • What you can fix, and what you can’t. • And how to get out of an abusive relationship safely. Bancroft, a former codirector of Emerge, the first U.S. program for abusive men, and a 15-year veteran of work with abusive men, reminds readers that each year in this country, two to four million women are assaulted by their partners and that at least one out of three American women will be a victim of violence by a husband or boyfriend at some point in her life.
Reviews
"In short, I wasted 35 years of my life with this man, who distorted reality and everything I knew to be true and tried his best to make me feel small and unworthy. He moved out of the house last week (I bought him out) and I have to say ... it is sad, but I've never felt more at peace with the decision and I am ALREADY much, much happier. NO ONE should have to live with someone who treats you like a child, or curses you out "just because that's the way he's feeling," or will not respect you or your career, or refuses to stop drinking or drugging, or who physically harms or threatens you."
"This book will stop making you feel sorry for your abuser."
"So, with a title like "angry and controlling men," they are more likely to pick up the book, thinking, "Hey, this might apply to the confusing situation I am facing." He can routinely blame her for everything that goes wrong in his life, or he can constantly critique her and tear her down, or he can call her names that when I tried to put them in this review, got it banned from Amazon. Abuse is not a binary kind of behavior that is only invoked when the fists fly, but a deeply ingrained, unrepentant attitude of ownership, entitlement, contempt and resentment that a man displays, not toward most people in his life, but toward "his" woman (including past women). This confusion is created by the abuser himself, in his highly successful attempts to justify himself to himself, to his victim, and to the people around him. Bancroft did not did start out with this assumption, by the way, but came to it after years of working with abusers in mandatory counseling groups. When he started out, he believed what the abusers told him about how their behavior was caused by their wives' failings, their traumatic childhoods, their unemployment, or the hurts done them by past girlfriends; that they didn't know what they were doing; that they "lost control." The abuser, meanwhile, is functional in his life at large (except when it comes to treating his wife well), and appears to be a sane, trustworthy person. Small wonder, then, that the abused woman, her friends, and society at large cannot figure out what her problem is. If they start from the assumption that the abuser is a decent guy who means well, they will never figure out the situation. For example, in one chapter Bancroft examines in some detail a frustrating conversation between a whiny, controlling man and his wife, which ends with him insisting on walking home in the cold, even though she would be willing to drive him. Of course, his main motive is to maintain the role of victim, to keep himself in the right and his wife in the wrong, so that he can tell himself (and tell everyone else later) how she "left him" to walk home in the cold. There is a fascinating, counterintuitive warning (late in the book), that women in abusive situations should not seek couples' counseling. The reassuring presence of the counselor might get the wife to open up and say things to, or about, her husband that she would never otherwise dream of uttering."
"Anger management will not help these people; they need to be in an abuse program. Because most abusers never change, the abuse program needs to consider the victims as their real clients, because they are the ones who will benefit most by feeling supported and validated, and they are a necessary component of the program to keep the abuser accountable. Interesting that the day after I read this in the book, I saw it on Facebook as a meme."
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Best Education Research

English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language & Culture in the U.S. w/Audio CD & MP3 (English as a Second Language Series)
REA's English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language & Culture in the U.S. with Audio CD + MP3 A fun guide to everything American for the English language learner! Improve your listening and speaking skills with the dialogues included on our audio CD and MP3 download. Sheila. has held several leadership positions scoring teacher candidate responses. for an international testing company, and Jane has written. ESL test questions and rated English as a Foreign Language exams. for another internationally recognized testing company. They have won many awards for excellence in teaching, including. two Teacher of the Year awards, and corporate citations for excellence. Add to this some fun. teaching projects in Spanish, public speaking, drama, writing… and, we’re not kidding, even soccer skills and you’ve got two writers who.
Reviews
"Well written and is helping my wife improve her English abilities."
"I love this book, I bought it for my sister because she needs to improve her english and its good to learn the American english."
"Helpful with my ESL student."
"There is just to much slang, dropping of letters, and other shortcuts that are unsuitable for the beginning ESL student."
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Best Gifted Students Education

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way
The Smartest Kids in the World “gets well beneath the glossy surfaces of these foreign cultures and manages to make our own culture look newly strange....The question is whether the startling perspective provided by this masterly book can also generate the will to make changes” ( The New York Times Book Review ) . Kim, fifteen, raises $10,000 so she can move from Oklahoma to Finland; Eric, eighteen, trades his high-achieving Minnesota suburb for a booming city in South Korea; and Tom, seventeen, leaves a historic Pennsylvania village for Poland. Amanda Ripley, an American journalist, seeks to answer such questions in The Smartest Kids in the World , her fine new book about the schools that are working around the globe ….Ms. “[ The Smartest Kids in the World is] a riveting new book….Ripley’s policy recommendations are sensible and strong….The American school reform debate has been desperately in need of such no-nonsense advice, which firmly puts matters of intellect back at the center of education where they belong.” ( The Daily Beast ). “Gripping….Ripley's characters are fascinating, her writing style is accessible, and her observations are fresh….If you're interested in how to improve public schools, read Ripley's book today.” (The Huffington Post). “This book gives me hope that we can create education systems of equity and rigor—if we heed the lessons from top performing countries and focus more on preparing teachers than on punishing them."
Reviews
"I had long heard that Finland’s education was unique and crashing through testing markers, but until this book I didn’t really understand why."
"This is a balanced examination of current research and interviews with education experts around the world - INCLUDING the students so often excluded."
"Amanda Ripley Pulls no punches in her reporting on education systems."
"By looking at teacher training, student expectations (from the students themselves and their parents and school administrators), school spending and other criteria (think expensive high school football programs), Ms. Ripley paints an interesting picture of the stark differences between the schools here in the United States and schools in countries where they get it right."
"I generally dread the books on pedagogy and education that get handed to me, and this was no exception - until I actually started reading."
"Great book."
"It helps start an important discussion about schools in America and gives us pause for self reflection, both as parents and a system."
"This should be required reading for parents, educators, and politicians."
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Best Class Records & Lesson Books

Teacher Record Book
This book features plenty of room for writing as well as perforated pages that allow one list of student names to be used across several pages of records. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
"Every teacher needs one of these record books!"
"Not exactly what I was hoping... it's great for a classroom though."
"for my daughter to play school."
"It does what it's supposed to do, lol."
"Just what I needed."
"exactly what i needed with alternating grey/white lines, folding page to track names, great price."
"Great book."
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Best Bibliographies & Indexes

The First Folio of Shakespeare: The Norton Facsimile
These improvements, the meticulous work of the great Folio scholar Charlton Hinman made possible by the extensive Folger Library Collection, established The Norton Facsimile as an indispensable volume for book collectors and serious readers of Shakespeare. Looking for a way to provide scholars with a reliable version of Shakespeare's text, Hinman invented a device that sped up the collation process, allowing him to compare 82 of the surviving copies of the Folio and bring to light features of Shakespeare's work that have been--and continue to be--edited out of most modern editions. These traces of the composition process survive only because the printers, working directly from Shakespeare's handwritten copy, were not given a chance to thoroughly proofread their work. The many errors the printers introduced into the text of Shakespeare's work still provide fertile ground for theatrical and academic debate.
Reviews
"This beautiful and HUGE volume will not disappoint those looking. for a First Folio facsimile, or just a beautiful version of Shakespeare."
"Beautiful collection."
"If you are not familiar with what the First Folio is, the First Folio is considered to be the very first published collection of Shakespeare's plays. (If you want to see what it looks like inside, while this edition of the First Folio doesn't have the "Look Inside" option, this newer edition does: The First Folio of Shakespeare: The Norton Facsimile.)."
"I researched this book and a few others like it before purchasing the Norton Facsimile."
"I was an Equity actor (now an instructor of communications and theatre), and before each role I consulted four books: this facsimile, the Norton Oxford edition, Schmidt's Lexicon, and Harold Bloom's Shakespeare, the Invention of the Human."
"Compiled from the best extant leaves of Shakespeare's First Folio, this edition is a labor of love."
"Simply put, it is a First Folio made up of facsimile copies of the best pages of all First Folios available, and there are numerous pages dealing with the detective work involved in the assembling of the work. Yes, it is large,maybe somewhat unwieldy,and the style of type is unusual to read by today's standards, but in the presentation it is a work of art."
"It is essential for any true actor to get the most genuine interpretation of Shakespeare's work."
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Best Children's Sports Coaching

Changing the Game: The Parent's Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids
Most of these children quit because our youth sports culture has taken the ‘play’ out of ‘play ball.’ A shift in values, the rise of expensive youth sports models, and the myth of abundant athletic scholarships has led parents and coaches to focus on wins instead of enjoyment, and trophies at the expense of development. In Changing the Game , John O’Sullivan draws upon three decades of high level playing and coaching experience to take us behind the scenes of competitive youth sports, and demonstrates how they have changed from being a fun pastime to an ultra competitive, adult centered enterprise that is failing our children. By following seven actionable principles of high performance, parents can give their children a competitive edge, while at the same time making youth sports a positive experience for their family, their community, and their country. Changing the Game serves as a powerful guide for both parents and coaches who want kids to have fun, enjoyable, and meaningful youth sporting experiences. Any parent who wants their children to gain the physical, psychological, emotional, and social benefits of what sport has to offer (and isn’t that every parent!). It will make you a better sports parent, and it will ensure that your children get all the good stuff and avoid most of the bad stuff from participating in sports. I firmly believe that the youth sport experience for a child is shaped as powerfully by their parents or guardians involvement. In this book John gives practical and helpful guidance to elevating the experience of the children in youth sports by directly addressing the role of the parent or guardian. Changing the Game is a wonderful resource for parents to help their young athletes succeed in sports and life, and I can’t recommend it enough --- Brian Baxter, director, Sport Psychology Institute Northwest, and author of The Sports Mindset Gameplan: An Athlete’s Guide to Building and Maintaining Confidence. Changing the Game offers invaluable insights into the reality of the youth sports world and the critical impact that parents have to make or break their kids’ experience in sports. With such a changing climate of youth sports today, this book provides a guide for parents that brings the focus back on what is truly important for a child participating in sports. Changing the Game should be required for all youth sports parents.
Reviews
"I would recommend this book to all parents who have kids in any sport."
"I am interested in learning how to be a better sports parent with my sons, and found this book to be everything I could have asked for."
"Become knowledgeable about the sport and observe, analyze and evaluate the group based on your presence at all events pertinent too practice and play."
"As a long time coach and trainer, it pains me sometimes to see how youth athletics has devolved to it's current state i.e. year round play, too much emphasis on winning at all costs, no joy in the play, way over the top parents in all aspects, etc."
"Let's bring the fun back into sports and all work together to make our kids better people first and better athletes second."
"The author provides the big picture as well detailed behaviors and techniques everyone can pattern to avoid that negative outcome."
"I needed this book to help me coach my son's soccer team better."
"The author John O'Sullivan changed how I approach my athletic son's development in sports and soccer in particular."
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