Dream Class: How To Transform Any Group Of Students Into The Class You've Always Wanted [Paperback]

Michael Linsin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2009

In Dream Class, you will learn the 15 keys that make the greatest difference in the classroom and exactly how to implement those keys simply and effectively. The goal is for you to become an extraordinarily effective teacher. Written from the unique perspective that everything you do affects classroom management, Dream Class will help you create the class you've always wanted and enable you to become a happier, calmer, and more confident teacher.

Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: JME Publishing (June 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889236330
• ISBN-13: 978-1889236339
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Education Theory > Philosophy & Social Aspects
  • #57 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Professional Development

More About the Author

Michael Linsin is the author of Dream Class and The Classroom Management Secret. His simple and unique ideas about managing student behavior are read by thousands of teachers every week on his popular blog, Smart Classroom Management. He lives and teaches in San Diego.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Attainable Solutions for Classroom Teachers July 10, 2009

By Janene Lamanuzzi-Marsella

Format:Paperback

I have been a teacher for over twenty years and have taught elementary, middle, secondary, and postgraduate classes. As a teacher who teaches people how to teach, one of the complaints I have heard numerous times over the years is: "I don't need more theories; I need practical advice."

Dream Class by Michael Linsin is a cogent tool for educators that delivers such practical, useful solutions that make the greatest difference in the classroom. Michael's style is accessible and will leave teachers eager to start implementing the 15 Keys right away, no matter if it is their first year or their thirtieth year of teaching.

Outstanding teachers do more than just make their content accessible; they are also motivators and mentors. Outstanding teachers convince students that they care about them, and they promote enthusiasm for the content they teach. By implementing the 15 Keys, teachers will not only have their dream class, they will be more effective, more confident, and more relaxed; and they will be remembered as being one of those outstanding teachers who made a difference.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Sound philosophy and perspectives but missing practical, concrete application June 10, 2012

By Cristina Mclaughlin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I want to begin this review by saying first that I agree with practically every one of his perspectives on students and teaching within the classroom. I found his insights to be intelligent and relevant. I also truly believe that this man is an excellent teacher whose is adored and loved by his students. Whatever my criticism is of the material in the book it is in no way a reflection of who he is as a professional. It's clear he was well intentioned when he decided to author this novel and I have a suspicion he was probably asked to write something at least a hundred times because he has had so much success in the classroom and gets a tremendous amount of joy from teaching.

Where my problem begins with this book starts in how it is addressed and presented to the reader. The idea is after reading this ANY class can be turned into a "dream" class. Who wouldn't be intrigued by that?! I work in a low-income, exclusively minority, urban high school with students who are far below academic standards. You better believe I pounced on such a title! However, he makes many sweeping generalizations that reveal he is very disconnected from many of the difficult challenges in such environments. He has a bit of a Mary Poppins approach where just a spoonful of sugar will make it all better. For example he brings up an excellent point that many teachers treat the symptoms of a problem rather than the root cause. He references bullying or poor peer relationships as an example. Where many teacher separate children who don't get along rather than solving the problem of communication with them (or bullying). I 100% agree with this and eagerly read on looking for how he would recommend remedying it. Instead he just states to tell the children to empower themselves and not allow being spoken to disrespectfully. He proudly states how a girl will retort "you may NOT speak to me that way" (I'm paraphrasing of course) when taunted. For my students this wouldn't work at all. I was hoping for some tips on peer mediation or perhaps how to integrate better social skills into my lessons but nothing concrete is offered. I found this to be a consistent pattern whenever he gave tips. He will show one example and feel it is sufficient to apply to every circumstance. This is partially because the ENTIRE book is based on anecdotal evidence. There aren't any facts or studies to back up his points ...while I don't think it would be necessary to include I think for him to gain an adequate perspective on his audience and what are the current struggles for teachers.
Another serious issue I had with the book was the condescending tone he uses to describe other teachers including his colleagues. Whenever he gives an example of what not to do it's always with a teacher he has worked with, which he quickly pairs with an example of what is right by citing an example from his classroom! Any sage advice he's collected over the years has never been from a coworker or a lead teacher. He gives the impression that he has never struggled or questioned the efficacy of his methods. Even if he has hit that many homeruns, it prevents the reader from relating to him or adequately describing how to remedy a bad habit. He also makes no mention of how he walked a fellow teacher to success! Actually he avoids doing so altogether. He says he makes it a general rule to never question another teacher's management methods. However from his stories it is clear to me that teachers have reached out to him and he gave them the brush off. Specifically when he was a Phys Ed. teacher he saw a teacher (whose company and persona he found agreeable) struggling with getting her class ready. She mentions 3 times how sorry she is and how she doesn't know what is wrong with her class. He mentions to her right before he leaves that it's the teacher who controls the tone of the classroom not the students. She acknowledges that she is blaming the kids because it is easier not because she truly believes it's their fault. (I agree with this philosophy wholeheartedly) Instead of following up with how he counseled her to make changes or show how one would make the transition from this unruly class to his version of a "dream" class, he harangues teachers and their flawed perceptions! Over and over again he gives examples of teachers complimenting him or noticing his class has something theirs is missing and he just drops these nuggets of wisdom as if implementation is self explanatory. I found this massively frustrating and borderline self promoting.
I'm not sure if the author knows how to give teachers advice on correcting ineffective classroom management or if he cares to learn the reasons why many teachers know the right action to take but not HOW (without characterizing them as inept, lazy or pushovers). If I was in my early years of teaching this book would have made me feel like crap and utterly incapable. As a teacher with 7 year experience and a much stronger handle on my skills and prowess as a teacher I'm walking away merely disappointed.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Read Ron Clark instead May 26, 2012

By Bearfoot

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book based on the great reviews, and was disappointed. Maybe I wouldn't have been if I hadn't already read some of Ron Clark's books, which are similar in content but with many more details and examples, and a much more entertaining writing style. This author comes across at several points as kind of smug, stating how he notices other teachers' mistakes or lack of classroom management skills but keeps quiet (except, of course, to mention them in his book as negative examples). He does a lot of congratulating himself on being such an exceptional teacher, which I'm sure he is...but I don't feel like he gave me much in terms of applicable techniques. The tips he offers are somewhat useful, but mostly common sense--nothing terribly ground-breaking--and he doesn't back them up with many practical examples. The chapters are brief and his description of each strategy is simple, which makes the book a quick and easy read, but I didn't take much away from it. Ron Clark, on the other hand, always entertains me along the way and leaves me feeling inspired afterward. I'll stick to his stuff from now on.