The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable [Paperback]

Angela S. Powell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2009

Do you constantly repeat instructions? Are you fighting a never-ending paper battle? Strong classroom management is the cornerstone of effective teaching, and this book will help lay the foundation for everything you want to accomplish professionally:

• Designate a place for EVERY type of classroom material
• Turn needy, disorganized children into self-reliant, responsible students
• Develop and teach ANY classroom procedure
• Train the class to follow along, stay on-task, and work together
• Use fun teaching techniques that help you assess student learning
• Eliminate homework hassles and parent miscommunications
• Prevent burnout by enjoying and growing with students
• Construct a self-running classroom that frees you to teach!

Using actual classroom photographs, forms, and dialogue examples, The Cornerstone will show you how to design instructional routines that facilitate learning. It will guide you through each step of communicating and reinforcing your expectations. Learn how to create a vision for your classroom and TEACH for it!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ANGELA WATSON (formerly Powell) was a classroom teacher for eleven years, earning a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. Angela's first book, The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable, is utilized in teacher preparation and support programs throughout the nation. On July, 2011, she released her second book, Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching. She is the founder of Due Season Press and Educational Services and currently conducts a wide range of professional development as an Educational Consultant based in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Due Season Press; 2nd edition (April 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982312709
• ISBN-13: 978-0982312704
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Angela Watson (formerly Powell) was a classroom teacher for eleven years, earning a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. Angela's first book, The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable, is utilized in teacher preparation and support programs throughout the nation. She is the founder of Due Season Press and Educational Services and currently conducts a wide range of professional development as an Educational Consultant based in New York City. Her website is wwwTheCornerstoneForTeachers.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classroom Management made Easy, July 21, 2008

By 

R. Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable (Paperback)

I have used Ms. Powell's website for years, as a newer teacher, to get ideas and information for making my classroom run as smoothly as possible. The book reads much like her website: she is speaking to you as if you were sitting in the same room having a conversation about management. The tone is friendly and conducive to passing along information about managing a classroom to make the most out of every second you have with your students. The ONLY thing I don't like is that there are no "reproducibles" included in the book -- you have to visit the site to get those. The upside of that, however, is that the downloads are word documents that you can customize which makes it easy to adapt the resources to your specific needs. I will definitely be recommending this book to my colleagues who are just entering the field.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for All Teachers, August 17, 2008

By 

Pam Axell (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable (Paperback)

This is one of the, if not the, best books I have ever read on classroom management. All of the ideas are very user friendly and easy to implement. A couple of weeks ago I went to visit a fellow teacher at her lake house for the weekend. Of course I took my book to show her. Well, about an hour after I left I realized I left it there. As soon as I got home I ordered another one because I wasn't going to be able to get my book back until after school started, and I wanted to finish reading it now. My friend was very excited to find out she has a great new book!

I have personally used many of the ideas that Angela Powell describes in her book. Last year I taught a very challenging 4th grade class. I tried everything with no success and finally came across the Token System. It was easy to use and very effective. I am planning on using it again this year when school starts, instead of waiting until problems arise later in the year. In addition, Angela has managed to cover any and all questions a new teacher might have - from setting up their classroom to handling students who want to go to the water fountain all day long. But let me assure you - this book is definitely not just for new teachers. There are lots of great ideas for all teachers - newbies and seasoned veterans alike.

I feel very confident that you will not be disappointed if you order this book. It would be the best investment you could make in your classroom this year.

P.S. Angela also has an awesome website. Visit www.thecornerstoneforteachers.com.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, September 6, 2008

By 

Kelly Payton Figueroa (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable (Paperback)

I was an avid fan of her website. For years I've used her ideas and enjoyed the fabulous pictures and easy explanations that accompany room set-up to management and organizational ideas. This book is the best resource you can have. The book is a foundation for any teacher of any subject. Powell doesn't say there is one way to do something. She'll give you some ideas she'd tried years ago, and tell you what's working for her now. We all know that often our classroom students dictate how our systems need to be set up. This book will be as valuable in 25 years as it is now. The documentation chapter is especially important in today's world. Thanks Thanks Thanks to Mrs. Powell.