Rating: 
Summary: Great for a disorganized teacher
Review: I see that some reviews trashed this book. There are some things I disagree with also (especially about not having fun). But if you are a first year teacher or even a second year teacher that fell on his/her face a few times, this is a book for you. At my new school they sent us this book and then gave an orientation about its contents. Although most of it is common sense, Wong's ideas about procedures and expectation have made a world of difference in my classroom. I agree whole-heartedly about the dressing chapter. We as teachers get little respect because of teachers who wear jeans to work. It is not hard to look nice. We are professionals you know. So read the book, pick and chose your chapters and learn form it. You might not agree with everything but if you get a few solid ideas from the book, then it is worth it.By the way, it is easy reading and sometimes I felt like they wasted space by bulleting, large fonts, and repetition. But buy it anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: real teachers give it the #1 spot... you should, too
Review: I work for a teachers association, and time after time, real teachers have recommended this book above all others. Content-wise, if you want what people who have actual teaching experience, I would highly recommend this book. Having seen it myself, and having compared several competing books, I would have to agree: it is the foremost in its topic. If you are just starting out teaching, you might not know the name "Harry Wong," but I guarantee that you will in a year or two. He is popular on the speakers' circuit, and I believe that he has some genuinely helpful advice. If you are looking for a starting point, this is one good place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: No substance
Review: I cannot believe how many rave reviews this book got! I decided to go check it out at a local bookstore and I must admit, this book had no substance to it. By reading all these reviews, you would think that it has magical formulas on how to have a perfect classroom but in reality it's just a big book with drawings, charts, big writing and general information that to me is common sense and nothing more. I can't believe the writers said that school shouldn't be fun! Learning can be challenging and fun at the same time. Also, I can't believe they said denim isn't approproate. I know many elementary school teachers who wear denim jumpers and dresses because they are comfortable and they're always up and moving about. Wearing a suit and heals or a really nice dress is not very practical for elementary school teachers. I can't believe a whole chapter of the book is wasted on how to dress! Their advice isn't even that good. Also, there are no specific examples about anything in this book. There is no mention of specific classroom rules, let alone how to successfully carry them out. They don't mention any classroom activities that you should or should not (since they don't want you to have fun with the kids) do with your students. The information in the book is stuff that you should already know and when you think Wong and Wong are going to elaborate and give you a hot tip or two, they don't. It's all just a bunch of fluff on a bunch of wasted trees. If you're looking for a large book with no specific information on what you should do your first week of class then this book's for you. If you want a book with more substance or that actually has helpful information, then I would look elsewhere. Take my advice, don't buy this book until you've looked through it. Otherwise you may be very disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: This is a great book to have. It has lots of information for every teacher, new or old. It is a big help!!
Rating:
Summary: If you are a teacher give yourself a terrific present
Review: This book should be given out to every teacher. I have been in education for 11 years now. I picked this book in my 6th year. What a resource. I have read dozens of educational books and attened who knows how many inservices and college classes focusing on education but this book, is by far the most useful. Every year, before school starts I reread this book. Every time I take from it something new. What this book shares is not so much a rescipe for sucess but instead a positive attitue that so often so hard to find in education. Your read this book and you can't help but be fired up. You can't wait to set your classroom up, you can't wait to meet your new students, you can't wait to teach.
Rating:
Summary: not bad, but often not to the point
Review: There's really a lot to be said for this book, but it's really targeted at the young beginner, and much of its advice is pretty common-sensical. Much time is spent on issues like making a good first impression, wearing nice clothes, creating a daily routine, and so on---these, to me, are no-brainers I didn't need a book for. The format is a little heavy, too (pictures, pullout charts, and sidebars), leading me to think it's intended for an audience with a short attention span. (I fear for the new teacher with a short attention span!) However, the book continues with really solid classroom management advice, if you can wade through the mire.
Rating: 
Summary: good basic advice
Review: This book will give you the first steps...if you are just starting out. Helpful hints, such as setting class rules, attendence procedures, how to start the day and the school year. Most of the examples are very specific and useful...if this is your first year teaching, I believe this book will be a great resource. This book encourages you to take responsibility for preparing a learning environment, and for challenging the student to take responsibility for participating in the learning experience. I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned Wong's assertion that school is not about fun activities. I believe there has to be a balance between challenge and interest.
Rating:
Summary: Not Helpful
Review: This book spends 95% of its words explaining what problems and fears a new teacher has (which is already painfully clear to the teachers in question), 4% of its words on supposedly inspirational quotations and only 1% sharing actually helpful tips. There's got to be something better.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book for 1st year teachers
Review: This book was an excellent reference for my first year of teaching. There were many practical hints and tips which could be directly applied to the classroom. Thank you for the insight wong & wong!
Rating:
Summary: A must read for ALL teachers
Review: This is the most useful teaching resource I've ever bought. I read EVERY WORD from cover to cover in two days. Every idea the Wongs wrote about (from classroom management to writing lesson plans) makes sense, and I can't wait to test them out when school starts next month. The central message in the book is how to evolve to the stage of teaching (Impact) that has the most benefit for you as well as the students. The Wongs write about the first days of school being the most critical in setting classroom management standards and daily work procedures.
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