Junior Books

From back cover:

"In the years since its first appearance, 'Life in Classrooms' has attained the status of a classic, a milestone in the close study of the educational process at its most fundamental level. Widely read and much discussed, the book has spurred researchers to examine ever more deeply the dynamics of classroom learning - a process that must remain the cornerstone of educational change. Philip Jackson's observations and insights remain as pertinent and as central to educational research as ever; this book invites, even demands, rereading. For the reissue, the author has supplied a new introduction with his reflections on the writing of the book and on the role of the educational researcher.

'Life in Classrooms' continues to challenge its readers. Faculty and students in graduate education programs, educational researchers and practitioners, and those with an interest in the dynamics of the classroom will all find much of value in this book."


Chapter contents:

* The Daily Grind
* Students' Feelings about School
* Involvement and Withdrawl in the Classroom
* Teachers' Views
* The Need for New Perspectives

I was first introduced to Jackson's work while getting my M.A. in Elementary Education at New York Univeristy. After my first exposure to sections of this book, I went out and bought it. Life In Classrooms focuses on the aspects of school that are not given enough attention in education theory and debates. This book provides anaylsis of the 'everyday' curriculum. The most important concepts expounded upon are the fuctions and repercussions of crowds, praise and power that seem inherent in every school system in America. This is a brilliant book!

A perfect companion to Shelley Harwayne's 'going public' book. I enjoyed this one even more because Ms. Harwayne really delves into how to create a literacy environment suited to each child and her/his needs. I would hearily recommend this book to all educators looking to enhance their classrooms--not only the environment but their classroom practices as well. Congratulations on a fabulous resource!

Shelley Harwayne has given all of us an opportunity to spend a little time in the wonderful school environment she and her staff members have created at The Manhattan New School. She says; "Writing improves the quality of life in a school.." and shows us that an administrator who values literacy can set the stage for a nurturing community and empower students to be truly literate. If you are a principal or staff developer, Shelley provides practical examples of how to make your school a place where it can confidently be said that the staff can offer students and families a LIFETIME GUARANTEE that claims, "Your children will not just learn how to read and write. They will choose to read and write. Now and forever." What greater promise can we educators make?

This a great easy-to-read adaptation of the wonderful movie script.

This book is a pretty good adaptation of the movie. Considering the wild visual action and humor of the movie, the author did a a decent job of describing them for the book. A great read for kids of all ages.

We homeschool and I was clueless as to how to meet my state's requirements for social studies without buying some expensive SS curriculum. I searched my local library and found this book. It is awesome! It lists books to cover each topic and includes discussion topics and activities to do with some of the books. It is well-organized and thorough. I'm only just beginning, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm requesting the first list of books from my library this evening... and figuring out when I can buy this book.

As a college professor, I have been using this book for several years. I have found teachers improve their teaching of social studies when children's literature becomes part of their teaching style.

This book is outstanding in it's ablility to assist teachers and parents to make social studies content fun for children in elementary schools.

I recently read this book with my nephews and they loved it! The suggestions and resources at the end of the story are great towards organizing your own age-appropriate project. We are thrilled to be planning a volunteer project that the whole family can share in.

This book is a wonderful way to introduce children ages 4-8 to the concept of volunteering. My son loved the book and is now looking for different ways he can help in the community.

My Book Review

This book is about a girl named Lizzie. She also has a little brother named Matt. She ahs 2 friends named Miranda and Gordo, they hang out a lot. Then Gordo got a girlfriend and started ditching them. This book has a lot of interesting details and good word choice. I recommend this book to you because it is a great book to read. My opinion about this book is that it has a really good author to it so it has a good set of word choice and interesting details to go with each set of chapters to make up the book.
The main characters that make up this book are interesting. Lizzie is the one person with a very unique mind and is a one of a kind person. Miranda is a person that can sit there and listen to you and then you ask her a question and she will say "what did you say I wasn't listening". Gordo, is a person that is really smart, he is also one that will lie to you about going somewhere with his mother or father. Matt, is Lizzie's annoying little brother that irritates Lizzie all the time.
The main themes of the book are friendship, Love, growing up, and worry. The theme friendship represents Lizzie, Miranda, and Gordo because they have been friends for a very long time. Love, represents Gordo falling in love with his new to become girl friend. The growing up theme is all about Gordo because he has a girlfriend now. They worry is all about Lizzie and Miranda were all worried about Gordo because they couldn't find him.
The setting took places in all different places. It took place in a restraunt, that's only because that's where him and his girlfriend were. Lizzie's house was another place that the book took place at. That's where they hang out most of the time. At the restraunt Gordo was there with his date and, when Lizzie and Miranda tried to call him. They couldn't get a hold of him so they went down to the restraint to see if he was there because that is his favorite place to eat. Then they yelled at him for not telling the truth.
You should remember that this book is all about Love, Friendship, Worry, and growing up, because if you remember this then you can always know what the feelings are all about in the book. The main characters in this book should be remembered because then you know who they are and what they do in the book. The setting of this book is really important, because you should know where the story took place and what the place is about. I think you should read this book because you can read about friendship and trust. I loved this book and I think you will to.

Hil is at it again! but not glamorous as she now has her heart broken! indeed i shall not tell but it's the coolest book in 7th grade!! you should read it or other wise ya don't know wat it's like!!

I think all of the Lizzie McGuire books are great and I would think that other people should also read them

I just recently read this book so I thought that I should review it while it's still fresh in my mind. I really like Lizzie Mcguire stuff. I'm a fan. Anyway, this a good and intriguing book about a normal girl, facing the same problems that you probably do.

Part 1:
Lizzie wants to win the Best Dressed award, but there are a few problems-the cheerleaders are always wearing more expensive, cooler clothes than her! Lizzie has her mind set on one particular pair of pants-but they're $65. Mrs. Mcguire offers to take Lizzie bargain hunting. Lizzie doesn't want to wear bargains, but she doesn't want to hurt her mother's feelings. What will happen?

Part 2:
Lizzie wants her pictures in the yearbook, but Kate, selfish as she is, won't put them in there! Lizzie, Gordo, Matt and Matt's friend, Melina, cook up a plan to put Lizzie's pictures in the yearbook. But will their plan succeed? Will Kate be taught a lesson that she doesn't always get her way?

This book's great. I guarantee it!

Published in 1981 by the Austin Junior Forum, lone Star Legacy, A Texas Cookbook, is pretty typical of this particular genre of cookbook, i.e. a book put together by a group as a fund raising project. Many, many people contributed their favorite recipes and it is in the typical spiral format with nice dividers between the various sections. Actually, this book is a pretty class act. It is very well done, very professional, but most importantly, it truly features some delightful dishes. We have had this book for about ten years now and have gleaned some very fine eating from it.
Like all such cookbooks, this one is broken down into various sections. From Appetizers to beverages, to main courses to deserts, it is all here. The directions are simple and easy to follow. The format is easy on the eye and the book is well constructed so that it will not fall apart with over use. Now just because this work was created in Texas, don't think it is filled with nothing but Tex-Mex dishes, far from it. While there is certainly a section devoted to this, you must remember that this state is quite diversified and this book pretty well proves it. The variety presented here his great. To be quite frank, if you cannot find at least twenty dishes in this book that will suit your taste with a brief overview, then you do not like food all that much.

Tip: Try the Almond Sausage Dressing or the Cheese and Spinach Pie...trust me.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

The three cookbooks Lone Star Legacy, Lone Star Legacy II and Changing Thymes are excellent, easy recipes for family and entertaining. The Lone Star Legacy (blue) book has recipes for basic great meals; Lone Star Legacy II has very tasty, easy meals and a particularly great Tex-Mex section with some speciality Mexican dishes. The Changing Thymes has very simple recipes that always turn out -- Citrus Mint Tea is great. This book has had all the recipes analyzed for dietary information and caloric content. A real plus for those watching their diets and cholesteral. The trio of these books is a must for good cooks, who like to make entertaining and family meals easy and delicious.

At last! Here is a practical book for elementary teachers that covers all the critical issues of an assessment text, yet reads as easily has a self-help book. The Stricklnds have obviously spent time in actual classrooms with real teachers. They explain multiple authentic assessment strategies and give teachers permission to "tweek" them so that they work for young students. The CD Rom alone is worth the price of the book. Every checklist, rubric, survey, etc. that is in the text is available as a template for the buyer to personalize and copy for classroom use. I'm using this book to review for the National Teacher Certification and am finding it invaluable.

At last! Here is a practical book for elementary teachers that covers all the critical issues of an assessment text, yet reads as easily has a self-help book. The Stricklnds have obviously spent time in actual classrooms with real teachers. They explain multiple authentic assessment strategies and give teachers permission to "tweek" them so that they work for young students. The CD Rom alone is worth the price of the book. Every checklist, rubric, survey, etc. that is in the text is available as a template for the buyer to personalize and copy for classroom use. I'm using this book to review for the National Teacher Certification and am finding it invaluable.

I was required to purchase this book for a social studies methods class. It is chock full of practical lesson ideas as well as explaining the underpinnings for presenting lessons in these ways. Very helpful to a preservice teacher or a teacher that is interested in new ideas for social studies lessons.

This book provides a lot of practical activities for making learning active and interesting. I was able to use these in my 5th grade classroom. I've been teaching for 10 years and this book gave me a whole new view on teaching social studies. This book will be useful for beginning teachers as well as for veteran teachers. It shows how social studies can move from a boring subject where you memorize state capitals, to a dynamic, student-centered subject. This book gives good background information as well as teacher ideas. Why aren't more academic books written like this?