The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher

Dr. Wong and his wife have put together a wonderful resource based on the experieces of hundreds of successful teachers. This book is designed to give the pre-service teacher, or relatively new teacher a handle on what can be, the overwhelming experience of managing a classroom.

This book deals in depth with what a successful teacher looks like, how to have positive expectations about student success, the sometimes elusive art of classroom management, designing lessons to foster student mastery, and the teacher as a professional educator.

Practical, sometimes funny and inspiring from beginning to end, The First Days of School will both strengthen and encourage you for the journey ahead. Buy this book today, and read it many times over. I did!


A must for not only 1st year teachers, but for all teachers.   November 26, 1998
26 out of 28 found this review helpful

I thought I knew how to manage a classroom and work with children, but my first year was confusing. All those things they teach you in college education classes just don't work in the real world. But I came upon this book during the summer. I was amazed at all the mistakes that I had been making and could now understand why I was having problems in maintaining order. I started out the new school year with the various techniques and ideas that the authors suggest. This year is so much more organized; my classroom activities just flow, classroom control had greatly imporved, and the students seem to be learning more, as test scores climb. It has centaily made my life as an educator much easier. I especially appreciated the chapter which makes you look at yourself and see if you are merely a "teacher" or are you a motivational "educator". I have shared this book with others who have been in the profession for many years and they have all have had high praises for the book. I understand that several of the surrounding colleges are considering adding this as a text to their educational programs. I honestly feel that graduating students would be far more prepared to fact actual classroom situtations with this knowledge under their belts.


Outstanding Results with Dr. Wong's Effective Practices   February 14, 2000
Nancy Alana (Granbury, Texas)
25 out of 27 found this review helpful

I have seen tremendous results using the effective practices from Dr. Wong's book. As a principal, I make sure all the new teachers I work with have a copy of this book and view "The Effective Teacher" video series. Even experienced teachers have benefited from his expertise. His words and laughter have changed the practices of many teachers.


A guide for all educators   September 24, 1999
35 out of 40 found this review helpful

I'm puzzled by the comments posted by the high school teacher working in an independent school who feels that the book is aimed only at public elementary school teachers (see review below).

Dr. Wong's book is aimed at ALL teachers in schools public and private, grades K-12. I've used the book (and the complementary videos) with middle and high school teachers in our PAROCHIAL school. Those teachers who have implemented even a few of the books' suggestions have enjoyed significantly fewer student problems than those who just sail along doing the same, tired old things in the same, tired old ways. As for examples of classroom rules, they're THERE in black and white. I fail to see the problem.

I have been an educator for over 20 years and have been using Dr. Wong's book for the past six. How I wish I'd had it for the fourteen years previous!

This one's a gem--buy with confidence.