The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher [Paperback]

Harry K. Wong (Author), Rosemary T. Wong (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0962936065 | ISBN-13: 978-0962936067 | Publication Date: July 2004 | Edition: CD included

Over 3 million copies have been sold of the preeminent book on classroom management and teaching for lesson achievement. The book walks a teacher, either novice or veteran, through the most effective ways to begin a school year and continue to become an effective teacher. This is the most basic book on how to teach. Every teacher and administrator needs to have a copy.

The book is used in thousands of school districts, in over 65 countries, and in over 1000 college classrooms. It works and it s inspiring.

Included in this 3rd edition is a free 38 minute Enhanced CD, Never Cease to Learn. This bonus CD features Harry Wong with a special introduction by Rosemary Wong. The motivational message delivered is one all educators must hear and see.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harry K. Wong Publications; CD included edition (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962936065
• ISBN-13: 978-0962936067
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (197 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Harry K. Wong is an award-winning teacher and new teacher advocate. Harry is a native of San Francisco and is arguably the most sought-after motivational speaker in education today having given some 3000 presentations to over a million people. He has been called 'Mr. Practicality' for his common sense, user-friendly, no-cost approach to managing a classroom for high-level student success. The March 2006 issue of Instructor magazine named him one of the 20 most admired people in education along with Maya Angelou, Howard Gardner, and Oprah Winfrey. He has received numerous other teaching honors. Profits from the sale of her book fund 'The First Days of School Foundation.' That foundation has built and funds the 250 student 'Wong Mean Reth Learning Academy' in the jungles of Cambodia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Childish Book, March 16, 2007

By 

L. Husi "lkristin" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher (Paperback)

Why are teacher's always treated like the children they teach? Teachers are smart, college educated, professionals. Yet no body would ever think this based on the books written about teaching for teachers. This book like so many is no different. It looks like a book for a child and it is written in much the same manner filled with no brainer facts and pictures. The only good advice offered in the book is about keeping the list of classroom rules short and making everything else a procdure. That is useful and helpful but the format of the book and dumbed down method in which Mr. Wong writes is awful. Read the $100,000 Teacher by Brian Crosby instead and learn what can be done to change this problem and to give teachers the respect they so very much deserve.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost Perfect, May 20, 2006

By 

B. Wolinsky "Ben's Reviews" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher (Paperback)

A child's first day at school brings knots to the stomach. The average 12 year old is saying to him/herself "oh my god, what will happen on the fist day?" All kids fear the unknown, and if you think it'll be hard for you as a teacher, you should see what it's like as a kid. Showing up at school and not knowing where you're supposed to be can be a traumatic experience for a child. But what if the child walks into the room, says her name, and the teacher barks "wrong room!" That can really intimidate a kid.

The teacher has to make as many decisions as possible before the kids show up, so that the kids don't have to make any. Even their names should be marked on the desks before they come in. Otherwise it'll be "find yourself a space" and there'll be pandemonium.

But First Day of School has more faults then strengths. For instance...
1. Wong assumes that students will blindly follow rules if they are repeated constantly. This won't happen with defiant children who come to school with anger.
2. He assumes that a teacher will have his/her own classroom. At the elementary level this is true, but I've had to teach in 3 different classrooms per day.
3. He says he does all his work in his prep period, not afterschool. In my first year I had 4 preps and I had no choice but to work after school.
4. How are you supposed to teach rules, policies, and procedures when students are being dropped from or added to your roster in the first 3 weeks of school?

If you are new to this profession, this book could help. But don't ever assume that things will fall into place the way Harry Wong says they will. There's only one assumption that a teacher should have, and that is is anyithing can go wrong, it will.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars PollyAnnaEducation, November 3, 2006

By 

Teacher "PW" (LasVegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher (Paperback)

Mr Wong is making a good living selling his book and working the lecture circut. Some good ideas but a lot of impractical stuff included. The reality of the classroom and the ineffectiveness of school administration make working under such ideal circumstances unrealistic. Work in 5 classes of 40-50 kids each day who can't read (many are moved up so they can be with their friends) and such touchy feely programs quickly fall aside.