Customer Reviews

Instant Success for Classroom Teachers: New and Substitute Teachers Grades K Through 8

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As an educator for nearly 40 years,dealing with all grade levels in a variety of capacities, many publications and books come my way from colleagues and through my personal investigation. I recently received Barbara Cawthorne's INSTANT SUCCESS. This booklet has something for all--from the new substiute teacher to the experienced classroom teacher.

The format of a wide variety of readily available activities will save many substitute teachers--whether new to the job or front line veterans--from the anxiety of down time or the very true possibility of sketchy plans or lessons which may not be appropriate for teaching by a substitute.

A classroom teacher might indeed leave the entire booklet or selected activities in the "Substitute Folder." Why spend your valuable and already too little time seeking out those extra fill-ins and appropriate substitute activities when Ms. Cawthorne has done that for you--and has done it well!

I enthusiastically recommend Barbara Cawthorne's book as an inexpensive, but most effective way to provide a feeling of security to both the substitute teacher and the classroom teacher --and very appropriate activities for the kids in the class.

So--when you are filling your totebag or briefcase for the start of a new school year--please do save a little room for your INSTANT SUCCESS!

Anyone who has taught and certainly anyone who has Subbed in the public school knows how hard it is. The kids see a sub in the room and they instantly try to think how they can avoid learning that day..They have dozens of tricks to play on the sub and they play them. This book gives the sub some ammunition of his/her own. The practical and useful tips in this book will help to build rapport, fill in lag times, prepare the setting for learning and generally help to get the job done!! I know, I've been in the trenches for 25 years!

This book,Instant Success For Classroom Teachers, New & Substitue Teachers, has been a lifesaver for me. Since many teachers do not leave lesson plans for one reason or another,the On the Spot Teaching Activities and Lesson Plans have saved the six hour day for me and the students many times. The Rappport Builders section gave me many helpful suggestions on how to quickly build rapport with students that I had never met before. The book content covers all necessary subjects - Math, Geography, Language Arts, Art, Discipline, Critical Thinking, Classroom Management, Routines, Games and more. There are activities for Grades K - 8, which is great, since I sometimes never know until the last minute, which grade I will be in on a particular day. This book is a necessary part of my substitute pack which goes with me on each substitue assignment. The book is well written and it is evident that the author is an expert in the field of teaching/education. Thank you for offering this book.

I highly recommend Barbara Cawthorne's "Instant Success" It obviously is the result of many years of experience. I found it abundant with activities I could use in my own classroom. I always liked to leave a copy handy for my own substitites.I gave it to several new teahers and they found it indespensible. Every substitute teacher should have a copy. Thank you, Barbara, for this book of great ideas.

Shirley Ryder

A must for all new subs! This book gives you a wonderful resource for all levels K-8! I carry it with me every time I substitute teach.

Barbara Cawthorne's book is a wonderful resource of meaningful activities--which are both educational AND fun--for a substitute teacher to use when insufficient plans and materials have been left by the regular teacher. Any teacher, in fact, will love the ease of use of these copy-ready puzzles and exercises, for his/her own students--and also the many helpful hints provided by this experienced teacher!

Perhaps they do things differently in New York state than they do in Arizonia, but this book's activities and ideas are [useless for me.]

Problem Number One: Yes, sometimes a substitute teacher will go in with virtually no plans, but generally the teacher's planbook is open and available and anyone can figure out how to proceed with the daily tasks. Rapport builders, and your own activities are not needed, there is work to be done.

Problem Number Two: The discipline section was the main reason that I purchased this book. Yet, the very few pages about it recommended ridiculous advice. It is NOT a good idea to give attention to a troublemaker and let HIS good behavior earn the rest of the class "free time". Also, this whole "free time" concept is outlandish. The children when not assigned a task or activity go wild. Letting them "talk quietly" is a complete joke....

I was really disappointed with it and have returned it.

I liked this book's no-frills approach to the classroom. It didn't require much preparation or special items. I think it would be useful for any teacher.