As an instructional strategies coach for beginning teachers K–12, I read, I annotate, and I model, many ideas from many professional books. Reading professional books and applying the concepts to the classrooms of the beginning teachers is my job. So I read many books and by far Clock Watchers is the best book I have read in the last 2 years. In my opinion I find the book as valuable and mindset changing for viewing learning and how to be an effective teacher as Radical Reflections by Mem Fox and I Read It and I Don't Get It by Cris Tovani.
Each chapter weaves anecdotes and examples with practical ideas and strategies. Each chapter weaves student engagement theory into the text. And yet this text treats the reader as a professional; there are no "scripted" strategies in the text, it is up to the professional to determine implementation.
Page after page I find thoughts that reinforce the findings of Classroom Instruction That Works, by Marzano, Pickering, and Polluck. Page after page I find strategies that reinforce the instruction and guidance of The Strategic Teacher by Silver, Strong, and Perini.
I realize this review sounds like a paid commercial and maybe a little scripted but it is a honest, spontaneous reaction to a great book.
Ann Van Duyne "Learning Always", March 31, 2010
Great tips for the beginning teacher. Excellent reminders for the veterans. Relatively short and easy to read. As a teacher and high school librarian with 20 yrs. in the business, I can tell you this one is worth having on your shelves! I'm buying extra copies for our professional libraries in our middle and high schools.
LibraryLady2, Forsythe, MO, 8/9/2010
