Best book ever on modern education.

The book is fantastic. I enjoyed the audible version so much, I'm motivated now to also pick up the print version and to go back as a reference. The only downside to this audiobook was the narrator, which is often the case for many well written pieces. Strongly recommend

4 people found this helpful

Best suited for paper format

Was a good listen but the book is formatted more to be read in print than to be listened to if you want to use it to its fullest. Will probably end up buying print or Kindle as well.

9 people found this helpful

This is the best recommendation and lifesaver I’ve used

I’m a new classroom music teacher. I have over 30 years experience in giving one-on-one private lessons, being a teaching artist, directing ensembles or leading music workshops in classrooms and auditoriums for audiences of all ages. But nothing truly prepared me for being a classroom teacher.

Especially in this post-pandemic time many younger students have lost years of training in classroom behavior and expectations. Even though my resume is more based in university and high school teaching and band directing my new school gave me two classes of special needs 6th graders. I have no experience in either elementary school teaching or special needs teaching. I know my subject material like the back of my hand but I had no methodology or classroom management for elementary school or for special needs.

This book has been a lifesaver. There is also a follow-up called “The Classroom Management Book” also by Harry and Rosemary Wong (make sure you get the book they wrote and not a similar title written by someone else). The First Days of School gives the theory and some concrete examples but The Classroom Management Book gives these theories as concrete lessons you can implement one at a time. Together they are a Godsend for people like myself who need a higher level of classroom management and teaching strategies to address the needs and education of young students coming back to school after the pandemic.

Thank you Wong & Wong and to the other authors who contributed to this milestone manual of teaching! NOW we can communicate the content to our students. What a difference a set of structured routines and philosophies makes! Big difference in the outcomes academically and how everyone feels about being in an environment of higher learning.

1 person found this helpful

A Must Read for All Teachers

I don't know how I taught for five years before reading this book. This book is filled with actionable items to implement in the classroom today. If you are going into education, read this book. (P.S. listening at 1.25x speed helped me with the narrator.)

1 person found this helpful

Clear and encouraging

Our school system has encouraged many programs that fit into the structure explained here. But the "whys" are answered here and the listing approach in the presentation of tasks make it more manageable in application.

1 person found this helpful

Old Edition, References Outdated

The actual book is outstanding, but the audio version is disappointing. Throughout the audio book, multiple times per chapter, references are made to websites and materials that are no longer available. This is not Lawlor’s fault. Audible let me down here. The summary and price should have reflected this problem.

"Informative"

This is a much needed book. It should become summer reading for all teachers.

Extremely important

Extremely important book for all teachers thank you very much for your efforts. I really enjoy it a lot.

Outdated, and quite frankly, dickish.

There is so much fluff to this book and little substance that actually has to do with the first days/weeks of school.

Their discipline examples are condescending, they have some rather sexist remarks, and their privilege is definitely showing.

Honestly this book has been more helpful by allowing me to reflect on why I disagree with them, and what I would do as a result.

A Must-Read for All Teachers!

I highly recommend all teachers, no matter how long you’ve been teaching, listen to or read this book! So incredibly helpful with some great resources!