This book is simple yet very effective in helping the novice or the seasoned teacher. I read it, took notes, and am applying what I learned.

I thank God someone advised me to read this book. I would not have been prepared. This is a must have for every teacher and anyone contemplating teaching.

This is one of the first books I purchased in preparation for my first year of teaching. It has already proven itself to be a valuable resource, from effective classroom management techniques to long-term professional development advice. This book has exceeded my expectations in its comprehensive coverage of typical first year teacher issues. I foresee using this book throughout my teaching career as a resource and a reminder to use and expand upon its recommended techniques and habits so that I can continue to grow as a professional educator.

While the Wongs have created a well-written, nicely-detailed and generally-helpful how-to for teachers, especially new ones, the book also can be maddeningly frustrating as well.
The book, as other critics have noted, is focused on the elementary school teacher, not the middle/junior or high school teacher. Some of the strategies and techniques do, indeed, work at the upper levels.
For example, all teachers, regardless of grade level, need to use a seating chart, an attention-getting signal and a daily "do-now" exercise. And the Wongs outline these ideas effectively.
But the Wongs have, unfortunately, based many of their ideas on the assumption that a teacher has his or her own room, to do with as he or she pleases. Such is not the case with most upper-level teachers.
I used this book during my first year of teaching, which wasn't that long ago. I still use it today. I found it helpful back then, and still find it helpful now. Taken with the proverbial grain of salt, there is much here that will be helpful for the beginner as well as for the novice.
Still, as other critics have noted, there are several cheaper, better books out there. For beginners, I recommend "Rookie Teaching for Dummies" -- yes, it's part of the now-famous "Dummies" series. There's good stuff there, and not just for the beginning elementary school teacher.

I received this book from the alternative certification program that I was enrolled in and found it to reiterate everything they told us in training. I would never purchase this book for myself but I guess it was good to hear the same information more than once!

these books came when ordered. No gliches. We like the material in this book and we have the videos of Harry K Wong as well. Great stuff.

This is a excellent book for any first year teacher. It is full of highly
useful information on how to deal with your first days of school. Rate It
A++

I am absolutely enjoying "The First Days of School." I am a teacher with twenty-seven years teaching experience. After an illness and a change in teaching assignment, I found that I had become stagnant and overwhemed with new job requirements, including techology systems and grade reporting. "The First Days of School" is great for new teachers, as well as veteran teachers who need the motivation to continue doing the job of educating young people. It rekindled a spark that had become dormant after many years. This is a great roadmap!

I am a successful veteran teacher, and every summer I still revisit this book to get motivated for the new school year ahead. I had the pleasure of watching the entire video series of Mr. Wong, and so perhaps I can appreciate the book more than others who have not. Both are thoughtful, and I have gained many tips. I find his information particularly helpful at the middle school level, where classroom procedures must be crystal clear. I have read a lot, still haven't found the "perfect" teacher book - but this is as good as it gets!

This is a very interesting and helpful book for beginning teachers, or teachers who wish they ran a more effective classroom. This book is full of practical tips that you can implement right now, and is written in a very user-friendly format with lots of graphics and main ideas in bold. This is a great book.

An excellent book, Harry K. Wong's The First Days of School changed my teaching style forever. It changed my life!

If this volume is assigned, as it was in my case, our opinion doesn't matter. I find Highlights Magazine for children to be a more penetrating look at ANYTHING than this revenue generator. Good luck, sorry if you, too were required to buy it.

...outdated, very few useful ideas, centered around elementary education, and an absurd tone of cheerfulness mixed with condescension.

When I was a new teacher I really hoped this book would prepare me for running a smooth classroom but it just steered my thinking in the wrong direction and ultimately it probably did more harm than good.

This books "popularity" is simply due to the fact that it is a fad book within administrative circles. This is because Wong goes out of his way to argue that teachers who criticize inservice and professional development activities are just bad teachers.

Very eye-opening. A truly great read for any caring educator. Time-tested and researched techniques, procedures, and rules. Even a chapter on dressing the part. Well worth every penny. I have two copies.

I would purchase a product from this seller again. This came in a timely manner.

Thanks for the book. I've searched book stores for a while and they never had it in stock. It was nice to find a new book still in it's package cheaper than any book store.

It was shipped fast and was brand new in the plastic wrap like I ordered.

I got this book for my student teacher for his graduation. This is a great resource for veteran teachers as well. It has very practical ideas to help get your classroom off to a great start.

This book was assigned to me by my ACP program. It has some very useful information such as how to introduce yourself to students, how to start the first class of the first day, professional behavior and dress, help with decorating the class, creating class rules, etc. Very useful.

Excellent book. Very handy for new and regular teachers. Gives an insight on how to be an effective teacher. Gives numerous suggestions on how to start the first day of school.

Being a brand new substitute teacher, I found this book very helpful. I spent 32 years of employment in a corporation. Then when I retired, I decided I wanted to work with children in some way. So I decided to substitute teach. Still I worried, will I do ok? Will I fail as a substitute teacher? This book helped me in so many ways. It has been so helpful and is a great read for both teachers and substitutes. The book is geared more so for teachers and substitutes in elementary or kindergarten classes, in my opinion.

This text was recommended to me by other seasoned teachers. I'm a first year teacher and found the amount of text to be a bit overwhelming, especially trying to plan for a new schoolyear. There are some valid ideas- and his videos are good. I also downloaded the CD to my MP3 player and listened to his talks while I was driving to school. The book is helpful- but may take a bit of time to get through.

This was a required book for a classroom management class. It turned out to be a GREAT addition to my 'toolbox'. I've used it on many occassions. It is not a book to read straight through, rather, you read what you need. Novel idea. Dr. Wong knowst the classroom and how to make the classroom experience best for both the student and the teacher.

Great gift for that new teacher on your Christmas list.

I have heard Harry Wong speak at a conference and was blown away. He spoke for three hours in front of thousands of teachers and kept us all engaged and laughing for the entire three hours. He is definitely a gifted speaker with a wealth of knowledge about teaching. But I must say his book was far less interesting. I was reluctant about this book at first as I was already an experienced teacher but it came so highly recommended that I thought I'd give it a chance. There are some good tips about teaching but there are too many redundant sidebars and footnotes. There are topics that could've been covered with a paragraph which Harry Wong goes on for an entire chapter. The lay out of the book looks colorful and busy but for reading and learning about effecting teaching - not so effective. I would not recommend this to beginning teachers or experienced teachers.

I've taught in a school for six years and this is the BEST teaching book I've ever read. It doesn't matter if you've taught for 20 years or if it's your first year. This book is for you! :-)

This is a great book. I highly recommend it to all new teachers. As an experienced teacher, I recently re-read to make sure I was offering current advice. I had read it and used it years ago but I am glad to say, this is still a great book for all teachers. It provides you with ideas for classroom management, time management, lesson plans and so much more. For experienced teachers, it reminds us of all the good things we are doing right and refreshes our skills. Good Luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

This is OK for someone going into elementary school initially. However for higher grades it is lacking. When you are dealing with keeping butts in seats, where the desks are arranged is irrelevant.

The ordered item arrived promptly and in excellent condition, just as it was described. I would definately buy from this seller again.

As a teacher, this book is a must read at the beginning of EVERY school year...and again throughout the year. I give it to all my student teachers as a going away gift, and to any family or friends for their first year of teaching.

I absolutely recommend this book. I used it for a college class for teachers. It is very motivating and has lots of hands-on practical ideas. Should be a required read for beginning teachers! and even those who have taught a while.

Harry Wong presents this classic book on how to be an effective teacher with vigor, heart and insight. The five chapters of the book range from inspirational pep talk to specific practical tips on how to survive long enough to become a successful teacher. If you are new to teaching or having trouble with it, this is a definite read.

The five chapters in this book:
1. The Teacher
2. Positive Expectations
3. Classroom Management
4. Lesson Mastery, and
5. The Professional (Teacher)

are like a sandwich. The first and last chapters are the bread. A little wordy, basic, and redundant. A Pep talk on self-esteem, how to get ahead, how to generate enthusiasm. Chapter 2 is the lettuce, it picks up the pace, dealing with what to wear, say, and how to interact with others. Chapters 3 and 4 are the meat with lots of good material on classroom management, dealing with students, assigning work, getting results.

Perfect for for someone wanting advice on a broad range of the challenges facing new teachers. Others may want to concentrate on specific chapters.

For a more nuts and bolts 'how to' book for dealing with the classroom and students, consider Fred Jones "Tools for Teaching." Includes Fred's suggested methods of going toe-to-toe with difficult students and specific methods for getting kids to work.

This book ia an absolute MUST for the first year teacher. I've taught for eight (+) years and have gotten so much out of this book. Harry Wong's strategies are a teacher's "bag of tricks" for her first day of teaching and many years,after. If you really enjoy being a teacher, look into this book. It is a valuable resource for any teacher.

Whether you are a new teacher or whether you have been teaching 35 years, you need this book. Makes classroom management a breeze, and life so much more happy!

This book is full of no-nonsense and to the point information. I have a lot of experience and recently changed grade levels. This book helped me to refocus and remember classroom management strategies from the student's perspective. I think we sometimes get stuck and need a "push" to remember to do things like give clear expectations all the time. If you don't the students will make up their own rules. You must provide them with clear expectations constantly. If you are a new teacher, you definitely should read this book. If you are a seasoned teacher read this book and remember why you are in the education business. This book tells you what to do and what doing the wrong things will look like. That is the best part. Don't wait until an administrator tells you that you need to work on your classroom management!

"Free education for all children in government schools". -Karl Marx, 10th plank of communism.

Marx is back, this time he's wearing Dockers. In order to bring about rule by the proletariat, Marx said there were some obstacles in the way that needed to be abolished: Family, Religion, and Culture. Our public schools are doing everything they can to do just that!

1.)Family: We - are - family, Trotsky, Lenin, Pol Pot and me! From the tender age of 5 straight on to 18, liberal teachers have a death-grip on your children's psyche from 8:00 until 3:00! The Dems are already discussing legislation to create government daycare systems that could have your kids in their clutches straight out of the womb!

Infinitely vainglorious, the NEA has prepared a list of tips and advice for parents! This list lies out a child's entire schedule after the children leave their clutches! This is too long to list here, so here's the link! http://www.vtnea.org/vtnea12.htm

Then they have these parent-teacher conferences that are frighteningly similar to Scientology confessionals, only they are not forced to talk into a pair of tin-cans! The teacher's grill them on a long list of subjects until the parent is so tired and wanting to leave that he/she will give into any/all of the teacher's demands!

2.)Religion: Mommy, why can't Johnny read (the Bible?) As long as man holds himself accountable to God and not man, the State can never truly own him! Take away God and man's highest authority will be the State! Yike stripes! The trial that began the menagerie was the infamous Everson v. Board of Education 330 U.S. 1. (1947). Which not only took prayer out of schools, but has gone on to remove any mention of God!

Here's some examples of what this has led to:

Item: It is unconstitutional for students to arrive at school early to hear a student volunteer read prayers. State Board of Ed. v. Board of Ed. of Netcong, 1970.

Item: If a student prays over lunch, it is unconstitutional for him to pray aloud. Reed v. van Hoven, 1965.

Item: It is unconstitutional for a war memorial to be erected in the shape of a cross. Lowe v. City of Eugene, 1969.

Item: It is unconstitutional for a Board of Education to use or refer to the word "God" in any of its official writings. State v. Whisner, 1976.

This list goes on and on, here's the link: http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/14f.htm

3.)Culture: I've got the diversity pneumonia and the multi-culti flu! By smothering your child with every culture but his own, the State is in fact taking away his culture. By the time your child leaves school, he is so bewildered by this cultural bombardment that he may start chanting is Swahili!

This small example taken from edchange.org, will allow you to hear it from the horse's mouth!

"Content must be complete and accurate, acknowledging the contributions and perspectives of ALL groups.
* Ensure that the content is as complete and accurate as possible.
o "Christopher Columbus discovered America" is neither complete nor accurate.
* Avoid tokenism--weave content about under-represented groups (People of Color, Women, Les-bian, G-y, and Bi-sexxual People, People with Disabilities, etc.) seamlessly with that about traditionally over-represented groups.
o Do you present under-represented groups as "the other"?
o Do you address these groups only through special units and lesson plans ("African American Scientists"; "Poetry by Women") or within the context of the larger curriculum?
o Do you "celebrate" difference or study, explore, and acknowledge it as part of the overall curriculum?
* Study the history of discrimination in curriculum and ensure that you are not replicating it.
o Are supporting stereotypes (learning about Native Americans by making headdresses and tomahawks) or challenging them (learning about Native Americans through resources by Native Americans)?
o Are you supporting or challenging the assumption that our society is inherently Eurocentric, male-centric, Christian-centric, hetero-sexxual-centric, and upper-middle-class centric?"

Well, having exposed without question our Marxist public school system, let's take a look at its list of crimes!

* Teachers should, in theory, present numerous sides of issues and give their pupils a well rounded education. Then why is it that they are all FORCED to become members of the NEA, a far-left lobbyist group!? The union even tells its members who to vote for! This sounds like racketeering to me. Let's use those RICO statutes!

* In order to keep as many people as possible within their grasp, the NEA refuses to give vouchers to minorities so they can escape to the freedom of private schools!

* Whenever a student shows any sign of individualism, unconventional behavior, or beliefs that are not endorsed by the State, they are prescribed mind control drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac!

* The public school system puts so much stress on our children that they are beginning to lash out and shoot, bomb, and otherwise k!ll their fellow classmates!

* Some teachers even engage in s-e-x acts with their students! In fact these cases are in the news all the time!

* Check out this definition of prison and be mortified: "A public building used for the confinement of people convicted of serious crimes." That's what public schools are! Public buildings used for the confinement of people! But public schools are even worse because the children haven't even committed any crimes! Or maybe our government just assumes they will and this is a form of preemptive correction! Is the government proselytizing them to have a herd-like mentality.

* This just in! Youth suicide rates up! Children would rather die than go to public school! In 1998, among youth ages 10 to 19 in the United States, there were 2,054 suicides! Those kids could have grown up to be doctors or great scientists but the public school system drove them to k!ll themselves!

* The libs earliest attempt to have the Patriarch silenced! When yours truly refused to be assimilated by the group-think perpetuated by our public schools, I was prescribed Ritalin! I was such a maverick though that I refused to take it! Even at that young age, roughly 6 or 7, I realized that you shouldn't take "medicine" if you're not sick. The result: the Patriarch's reign of terror is just getting started, loony lefties beware!

Your eyes are probably blinded by tears brought on by the long list of grievances I just listed. Therefore, I will give you a moment to wipe them from your eyes and regain your composure.

All done? Good, because there's hope.

Home schools- Parents, you don't need the government to do your job for you! You are more than capable of teaching your children everything they need to know, even more so as you can give your child 100% of your attention! Make sure you always have your child take part in activities with people their age, such as Church, sports, and home-schooling events so they are prepared for the world when they have graduated. Fathers, take your son to work and let him observe, when he gets a little older, begin some hands-on training. Mothers, don't just cook and clean for your daughters, have them cook and clean with you to provide hands on training. The opportunities for preparing your child for the rat-race, without government intervention, are limited only by your imagination and lack of initiative!

The best part is, unlike school where they sit down all day and are filled with energy when they get home, your tykes will be tuckered out by the end of your hands on instruction, leaving you and your spouse ample free-time to get to work on making more tiny independent thinkers!

This is a must have book for the first year teacher. Lot's of tips and proven management skills.

The Wong's simplify and explain many aspects of teaching. The book provides very concrete examples and specific practices that can be implemented in the classroom well before the students arrive on the first day. Rookie and veteran teachers alike can increase their "effectiveness" by taking advantage of their practical suggestions. Suggestions include classroom set-up, appearance, and classroom management. As a rookie teacher, this helped me tremendously! A few veteran teachers have even borrowed my copy to refresh and reinvigorate their approach to teaching. A must have reference for all teachers.

I am an Elementary Education major, and my college required me to read this book before beginning my Student Teaching experience. It was recommended to me before that, though, by an acquaintance I met in Kentucky while I was on a trip. She highly promoted it as a must-have, and after reading it I heartily agree with her. There is tons of practical information in this book, and it's convenient as well as easy to use. This is a book that is sure to greatly help new teachers get started!!! Enjoy!! =)

This book was highly recommended by my education professors. I am a new secondary math teacher. This book may be more valuable for lower grades, but does not translate well for upper level math students.

Wong and Wong's First Days Of School is a must for any teacher seasoned or new. This will mostly serve the new teacher in inspiring and preparing them for the first days of school. There is advice and technique that will save time and frustration making class fun for the students and for the new teacher.

I've never read a more useful book. This is by far the most helpful and practical book I've ever used in my teaching career. This is a must for new teachers and a great book for seasoned teachers. This helped me get ALL my ducks in a row for the first week of school. Thank you!!!

EVERYTHING you need to know about teaching and NOTHING you don't need to know is in this book! It's like the Bible for ALL levels of teaching! It should be a requirement for all educators to read this book. It is full of PROVEN methods to help manage your classroom. It is also very easy and enjoyable to read. The text is full tips for everyday classroom activity... DEFINITELY the best investment I've ever made in a book. I will carry this with me until I retire from teaching.

I received my order quicker than I expected and it was exactly what I ordered. I would order from them again.

I don't have professional teaching training however, I do have many friends that do. After reading this book and speaking to them also I realized this book is good for anyone interested in teaching, especially first year teachers. **This book teaches you things that they don't teach you in school** Easy to read, organized, and the main points are highlighted. It shows you everything from what to wear, how to arrange the classroom, where to stand, what to say. I loved it!!

This book was referred by my college instructor. Since receiving this great book, it has helped me tremendously with all of my college assignments. I have referred others to purchase this book.

Thanks

No teacher should start the school year without this book. It beats everything out there as far as classroom management. Proper procedures make teaching enjoyable and productive.

In my alternative certification course, I have learned about school structures. I have learned about having an aligned curriculum, Bloom's Taxonomy, Small Learning Groups, writing lesson plans, inclusive classrooms, state standards, national standards.... The problem was I had no idea how to put any of this into play. What are logistics of running a classroom? Enter Dr. Wong. Now I have a much better idea of what I need to do the first day of class. How to run a classroom so the teaching can happen. This book came with a CD which was fun to watch. I viewed it first. I got to see and hear Dr. Wong. As I was reading the book it was like he was right there talking to me. This book is simply stated and gives the reader real helps and starting places to put that final polish on their teaching.

Finally a book for teachers that gives practical teaching/classroom management advice! This is a book that will stay on my desk for at least the first five years of teaching.

What a godsend this book has been for me! If only all colleges would use it as their classroom management textbook, there would be a lot more successful first year teachers. This is not a book about the theorists and why this method works or that one doesn't, it is a book about how to make those first days of school organized and set the tone for the rest of the year. It is about how to maintain your composure even when you want to strangle the little darlings! :-) There are countless tips, tricks and tools to help every teacher make their classroom run smoother and let the teacher go home feeling full of energy instead of drained and exhausted.
It's simply wonderful!

This book is great for any new teacher starting a new job! The book came in excellent condition, it was new!