Rating: 
Summary: This Saved My Life
Review: My first introduction to Fred Jones was about 8 years ago. I went to his workshop after my first year of teaching. We received his first book, "Positive Classroom Discipline" at that time. During that first year of teaching I was certainly disillusioned and ready to throw in the towel. My credentialing program hadn't sufficiently prepared me to have a well run, productive classroom with good discipline. Using his methods really gave me the tools needed to be an effective and relaxed teacher. I've now been teaching 9 years and just attended his workshop for the 4th time. Dr. Jones included his new book, "Tools for Teaching," in his workshop. This book is so well organized. The content of the book is almost verbatim what he says in class. It is an easy read and very enjoyable. The illustrations are very purposeful and represent the major points of the book. If you are a teacher who wants to save yourself from burn-out and actually remember why you went into teaching in the first place, then this book could be your life-line. Dr. Jones knows what he is talking about and is practical in his approach. It is one of the only programs out there that is livable for the entire career of a teacher. I most likely wouldn't be in the profession any longer if it hadn't been for the content of this book. I would highly recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: Kept waiting for the punch line...
Review: Our district recently got on the Fred Jones band wagon, and while I have to say much of what Dr. Jones says is quite interesting, I was continually waiting for him to offer some specfic examples. He is long on explaining a situation, like how students like to talk in class (this is some big revelation??) but short on specific solutions. Since he is a psychologist he does a fine job of explaining things like how the brain learns, but you don't have to read Fred Jones to find that out. He then proceeds with what I am led to believe are some "new" ideas in education like being consistent and remaining calm. Please! I suppose this may be useful for someone very green and with little or no experince, but as an experienced educator I found it tedious, generalized, and very quip happy (ie. Calm is strength). I continue to be amazed at plethora of books for teachers that re-invent the wheel and make big money for others, with book tours, videos and the like.
Rating:
Summary: A rare book worth 5 out of 5 stars
Review: Sometimes a book comes along offering what can only be described as "wisdom". This is one of those rare books. It provides a holistic plan for providing a classroom that is beneficial to students as well as teachers. The result is compassionate, firm, common sense and effective in setting a classroom environment where students will excel. I can unqualifiedly recommend this book. It is an absolute must for new teachers and is highly recommended for experienced teachers too. Best wishes in this most important of professions.
Rating:
Summary: A rare book worth 5 out of 5 stars
Review: Sometimes a book comes along offering what can only be described as "wisdom". This is one of those rare books. It provides a holistic plan for providing a classroom that is beneficial to students as well as teachers. The result is compassionate, firm, common sense and effective in setting a classroom environment where students will excel. I can unqualifiedly recommend this book. It is an absolute must for new teachers and is highly recommended for experienced teachers too. Best wishes in this most important of professions.
Rating:
Summary: A rare book worth 5 out of 5 stars
Review: Sometimes a book comes along offering what can only be described as "wisdom". This is one of those rare books. It provides a holistic plan for providing a classroom that is beneficial to students as well as teachers. The result is compassionate, firm, common sense and effective in setting a classroom environment where students will excel. I can unqualifiedly recommend this book. It is an absolute must for new teachers and is highly recommended for experienced teachers too. Best wishes in this most important of professions.
Rating:
Summary: Responding to "Waiting For the Punchline"
Review: The crisis in America's classrooms is no joke, no punchline intended. I want to respond to "A reader from the United States' who obviously could not have read ( nor understood) the entire book before writing the review. I do not want teachers or other educators to think that he is correct in his descriptions. The "Tools For Teaching" program is a complete teacher training program
that is all about providing examples and models, and coaching for all teachers at any level or experience. It is a practical, incredibly positive, step by step training in how establish a positive classroom, how to stay calm in the face of thirty students and even the worst back talk, how to design and deliver lessons in any content area, based on how the brain learns and how to motivate and create responsible people out of all students, even the most outcast. This reviewer must have read with his brain closed. Achievement rates increase and teachers don't burn out. "Tools For Teaching" is the solution to problems in our schools, a must -read for everyone who cares about student achievement and success in life. And, there truly are many punchlines for Dr. Jones writes with great humor that helps us laugh at ourselves while we learn. I recommend it to every educator in the nation as well as to all parents.
Rating:
Summary: Responding to "Waiting For the Punchline"
Review: The crisis in America's classrooms is no joke, no punchline intended. I want to respond to "A reader from the United States' who obviously could not have read ( nor understood) the entire book before writing the review. I do not want teachers or other educators to think that he is correct in his descriptions. The "Tools For Teaching" program is a complete teacher training program
that is all about providing examples and models, and coaching for all teachers at any level or experience. It is a practical, incredibly positive, step by step training in how establish a positive classroom, how to stay calm in the face of thirty students and even the worst back talk, how to design and deliver lessons in any content area, based on how the brain learns and how to motivate and create responsible people out of all students, even the most outcast. This reviewer must have read with his brain closed. Achievement rates increase and teachers don't burn out. "Tools For Teaching" is the solution to problems in our schools, a must -read for everyone who cares about student achievement and success in life. And, there truly are many punchlines for Dr. Jones writes with great humor that helps us laugh at ourselves while we learn. I recommend it to every educator in the nation as well as to all parents.
Rating:
Summary: very similar to Positive Discipline
Review: This book is very similar to Positive Discipline but this book contains more resources, ideas and has a better format. Im having a great time just looking at the cartoons! This is still the best and most practical classroom discipline book for teachers.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: This is truly the best professional book on classroom management I have ever read. Why all colleges don't offer a classroom management class with this and Harry Wong's First Days of School as the textbook is beyond me. A great gift for any student teacher or for a recent graduate.
Rating:
Summary: Director of Student Teaching
Review: Tools for Teaching provides a framework in which teachers are able to effectively manage classroom environments by: 1)accentuating positive behavior in order to eliminate negative behavior; 2) establishing a classroom structure for success; 3) managing student behavior with the body and not the mouth; 4) developing incentive systems where students do the work willingly; and 5) remaining calm under pressure. Dr. Jones introduces the reader to these concepts and others in this practical guide to classroom discipline, instruction, and motivation. This book is perfect for preservice teachers who are in the formative stages of creating their management plans and for experienced educators who want to reduce stress, look like the "naturals," keep students on task, and have a postive classroom environment.
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