Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains Reviews

• Excellent, pragmatic approaches for building a classroom

  
  By A3D6JS4BF4H488 on 2005-09-10
  I've already used some of the methods I found in Ms. Johnson's book, and share much of her general philosophy of working with kids from difficult backgrounds. Even after 10 years of being fairly successful at teaching "at-risk" kids, I found that seeing the logic and reasoning of her approach on the page clued me in to many of the principles behind a successful classroom which I already used, but never saw fully articulated on the page. It sounds a bit bizarre, but I now have a better understanding of the "hows and whys" of what I do from reading her work. These are the tips that you didn't get in college regarding working with challenging older kids; it's both an intellectual and visceral approach to teaching that will help you avoid many confrontations with kids before they ever happen, and give you the understanding of how to handle the battles you can't avoid. Holding kids to high standards of behavior sends the message to your students that you believe that they are capable great things, but it can take years to build the skills a teacher needs to get to that point. This book is the blueprint for building a successful classroom.
  
  There is also a lot here about understanding kids that have to return everyday to very difficult lives at home. Many teachers of kids with tough home lives fail because they never really understood the lives of the young people they were dealing with. Understanding the reasoning and emotions behind unreasonable classroom behavior is the key to minimizing it and surviving as a teacher, and this book reminds us that these behaviors have roots in what these kids have to go through everyday. There is much here to remind you of the positive and long-lasting effects a caring teacher can have, and that the balance of positive reinforcement with a tough determination for high standards is key to getting the best out of our kids.
  
  I've always been struck by the fact that a greater community hasn't been built by the teachers that work with challenging students, but maybe that comes from the fact that we're cut from a different cloth. The unfortunate aspect of this lack of community is that many of us build our approaches from scrap, taking the best of what we see in our coworkers, and trying methods that we come up with on the fly. There's just so little accumulated knowledge on our curious line of work passed down from one generation of experienced teacher to the next. Also, there are many aspects of working with tough kids that will never make it into the education school textbooks, a manifestation of the great and ridiculous divide between educational research and classroom practice (don't even let me get started on that topic). The helpfulness of educational academia's theories can be said to be directly correlated to the years they've spent teaching in difficult circumstances. You may be able to quantify the number of kids that respond to a reading program that your district will never have the money to buy (and you will never have time to teach), but they will never fully comprehend the necessity of learning to deliver a warm and sincere compliment, or chillingly-cold stare, at just the right moment. This book delivers the goods to those that wish to help the kids that most people have given up on, to work for little more than the knowledge that they did something that needed and deserved to be done.
  
  
  

• A Godsend Not Just For Educators But Also For The General Public!

  
  By A2LFFGNCVX59JK on 2006-04-06
  I followed Ms. Johnson's story ever since the movie based on her books and experience, DANGEROUS MINDS came out in 1995. I have had different careers, including secondary teaching. I have taught students with the same characteristics that she describes in MY POSSE DON'T DO HOMEWORK, GIRLS AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS and TEACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX.
  
  Out of all of the resources about methods of teaching, TEACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX tops my list of the greatest. 95 percent of the other resources like Harry Wong's THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL always assume that every teacher has no more than 20 students in the class and that most students are highly motivated and respectful of all of their teachers. Ms. Johnson, on the other hand, addresses the "what if your methods do not work"? She describes endless specific examples of what exactly a teacher could do if a teacher has more than 40 students in a class and it seems like no one is listening or on task.
  
  While Ms. Johnson offers some of her fabulous lesson plans like on ROMEO AND JULIET, she also explains psychological theories of possibilities why difficult kids and even difficult adults behave the way they do.
  
  I also love how this terrific resource includes the letter that Ms. Johnson sends to all of her students. She further printed actual letters from kids and adults asking her for her advice, which I found both entertaining and tear jerking. The question that 10 year old "Big Momma" wrote and Ms. Johnson's reply was hilarious!
  
  Even if you are not a teacher, counselor, or other educator, I highly recommend TEACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX. I wish that I would have had this book when I worked in business management because then I would understand more why some adults behave the way they do; Ms Johnson's theories have lots of implications for working with adults. The chapter on "Twenty Years From Now" will bring back memories of your life experiences for anyone, no matter how old you are!
  
  AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!
  
  Oh, and just yesterday, I contacted Ms Johnson via e-mail after discovering her website. I was not expecting her to respond because she must receive e-mails and letters from all over the world. Ms Johnson responded with just amazing advice! This shows her ongoing dedication!
  
  

• A gem for teachers old and new!

  
  By AOY95OHT9WSY0 on 2005-12-12
  This book is a must for beginning teachers and for pros who need new ideas. It combines street smart practicality with the creative thinking we need to reach kids today. I plan to use it immediately in my university level teacher training courses and recommend it highly to the teachers I work with in the field. We do need to teach outside the box to make education meaningful for today's adolescents. LouAnne Johnson understands that and her book will make it possible for more teachers to get there.
  
  

• New teacher and soon to be teachers

  
  By AK4MUWWBM163W on 2005-09-30
  This book was recommended by a professor in one of my classes for new teachers because she felt it had lots of common sense information and advise new teachers need to be successful. The author also wrote Dangerous Minds and seems to have a realistic take on teaching. I like her distiction between three basic flavors teachers come in - super, excellent and good. Being a super teacher may not be the best for all because throwing everything you have into each and everyday all day and into the night can lead to burnout. Johnson suggests that maybe aiming for excellent or good might provide a better balance to sustain a teacher's moral, motivation and job satisfaction because they are not giving everything up for the job; they have something left for themselves and their families. Strategies is a big word in education and this book is full of what I felt were useful ideas for new and experienced teachers covering everything from how to have a successful first day of school to effective classroom environments and planning ideas. I have not read it cover to cover, but jumped from chapter to chapter that interested me, but seems like a good book to have with me on my first day and beyond.
  
  

• Review

  
  By A3OEXPA72RRGX4 on 2006-05-03
  In her book Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students by Their Brains, LouAnne Johnson gives a lot of helpful tips to new teachers and gives some ideas to more seasoned teachers that might help improve their style.
  As great as this book is it dose have its flaws. Through out much of the book it seems to be aimed at primary education as apposed to secondary education. Some of the ideas about lessons and seating aren't practical in high school. The language is easy to understand and to read through. This book might be a little under some more seasoned teachers. This book is perfect for the college student looking to become a primary educator but it is also good for anyone wondering if teaching is for them.
  
  
  
• One of the BEST books about education
  By A6I4N5Y7P2EHA on 2006-07-11
  When I got this book, I couldn't put it down! I stayed up late to read the entire book. I cannot wait to put some of the ideas into practice in my own classroom this fall. There are a few ideas that I don't agree with (not having seating charts, etc), but there are parts of every book that someone will not agree with. Overall, I would say that 95% of this book was extremely helpful. This book was an easy read and I would highly recommend it for any teacher, old and new.
  
  
• An essential resource for all educators
  By AUWQJ5Y4RZL4V on 2006-03-01
  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. LouAnne Johnson lets the reader step into her mind and see exactly how she goes about her teaching practice--from classroom management to record keeping to unit design. Through doing this, teachers are provided with a successfully proven "framework" for organizing their classes. There is so much valuable and practical advice that I would definitely recommend the book to teachers of all experience levels. I have already told all of my teacher friends to read the book, so now I will say the same to you. You won't regret it!
  
  
• Good for the Beginner
  By ALNO9H6VWK5V4 on 2007-01-10
  Although I thought this book gave great advice, it really didn't help me because I teach Elementary School Children. Some of the concepts could be applied for the lower grades although. She thinks of just about everything to get you started!
  
  
• Practical advice to any teacher.
  By A27JF6TF54T014 on 2007-08-29
  I have purchased and recommended this book for other teachers and for teachers of teachers. It has so many practical ideas to use in your classroom with students. Lou Anne has great insights into how students think, feel and work. There's a lot more to learn in this book than some of the ivory-tower stuff I had in education classes that made me wonder if the authors ever really taught in a real classroom before. I give this my most enthusiastic recommendation....and I am a Math teacher. Her ideas apply to all teachers and students, not just English. Try it. You'll like it.
  
  
• So that's why!?
  By A1SE2WC8ENC8DH on 2008-02-12
  I have a new found respect for teachers. I read "teaching outside the box" for research purposes. I grew up with undiagnosed ADD and I made it all the way to the tenth grade rarely passing a class. To this day I do not know why or how I made it so far with such low grades. After reading Ms. Johnson's wonderful book, I have a better understanding. I have often wondered why teachers didn't care and how I got by. I have inattentive ADD, meaning I am not hyperactive in the physical sense. Therefore, in order to help others, I am researching the other side of the story.
  
  What I liked most about Ms. Johnson's story is that she focuses mainly on helping the kids and the difficult kids. Taking an interest and wanting all children to succeed and I am so very happy to see the interest in her book. What I tell teachers is that there are many children in your classroom which will draw your attention and that's how I got by over the years, by remaining quite, out of trouble and sitting at the back of the classroom. If you want to help someone like I was, you must draw them out and notice them. Even with grades barely ever over a 'D' teachers just didn't notice me and just left me behind because I was 'good' and didn't cause any commotion.
  
  I thought it was incredible that she takes the time and consideration to get more involved with the parents, even sending them a letter for consideration.
  
  Highly recommended!
  
  I am the author of:
  
  One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD
  
  
• This book saved my teaching career
  By A192KEPM0HW6AC on 2007-11-18
  I used to teach at a Catholic preparatory school, and I must admit: It is difficult as hell teaching inside the box. First of all, your range of motion is very much limited, and I got a rash from the corrugated cardboard flap smacking me underneath my chin.
  
  That, and I had to shimmy a lot to prevent toppling myself over, when my knees went crashing against the box wall.
  
  From then on, I vowed to teach outside the box!
  
  I now teach while wrapped in a bubble mailer.
  
  This book is much better than "Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire." I tried doing that, too, but I kept setting off the sprinkler system, and too many ceiling tiles came crashing down on my head as a result.
  
  
• Still Hopeful
  By A39WC5RJTTKIOQ on 2008-02-13
  Although retired, I am still very interested in educational matters. From time to time I receive calls/e-mails from teachers asking for help. Most of this book is aimed toward inner-city or larger schools. The good thing is that many of these techniques can be adapted to small, rural schools.
  
  
• Get this book!
  By A1TMPCO0AF75A2 on 2008-04-04
  Are you a new teacher or a teacher-to-be? Get this book!!!!
  Are you an experienced teacher who is having difficulty with organization or class management? Get this book!!!
  
  The author was a high school English teacher in a challenging district filled with gang issues, drug issues, and attitude issues. Her advice is solid and can apply to teachers in any situation. I am currently studying to become an elementary teacher and I have no problem adapting her techniques and strategies for the elementary aged students. In fact, she often gives her own "how to adapt this technique for elementary teachers" advice throughout the book. I think I like this book even better than First Days of School by Harry Wong because it takes you step by step in detail through her strategies for organization and classroom management. But in truth, I would buy both this book and First Days of School just to get the maximum class management advice.
  
  This book only had one class management strategy that I wouldn't use in my own class. The author actually reserves it for emergencies (the rude student folder)...I wouldn't use that one for elementary kids because they are too young (in my opinion) for that sort of thing... but that one strategy was the only thing that I had to ignore (and I don't believe she has to use it herself very often). I used all of her other advice in my plans for my new class.
  
  She presents the information with appropriate humor and I laughed out loud more than once. My favorite "funny" quote: "Now you can create lesson plans that suit your classes, but don't get too specific just yet. If you plan your teaching days down to the minute, the administrative tasks and unavoidable interruptions will drive you crazy, and driving you crazy is your strudents' job. You wouldn't want to spoil their fun." (105)
  
  Seriously though, LouAnne Johnson offers new teachers and struggling experienced teachers sound advice to use in any situation. She relates to the kids on their level while still maintaining her position as the head chief of the classroom. This creates an atmosphere of mutual respect and maximum learning.
  
  Awesome book and highly recommended (I wish my own son's teachers would read this book!)
  
  I am so happy I got this book when I did. I plan to use it extensively!
  
  
• Must read book for teachers
  By A2R82S7OHOR9ZP on 2006-07-28
  I loved the way the author handled her students. All teachers should read and be open to her suggestions.
  
  
• NEW TEACHER TOOL
  By ADY836HK6QSYR on 2008-08-14
  I had high hopes when I purchased this book but was sadly disappointed. It really is a good book for either new teachers or those who work in urban settings. I am not new to teaching nor do I teach in an urban area so I was not able to put my reading to good use. I think there is an abundance of great advice for those new to profession so I would recommend this highly to them. If you have taught for several years you probably already implement the recommendations in the book. While some of the book could be applied to any grade level, most of it is geared toward middle or high school. This also was contrary to my personal needs but may be quite useful to others. So, new teachers, urban teachers, and teachers of grades 6-12 will probably find this book rather useful. Others might want to keep looking for something else that targets their needs more directly.
  
  
• Review of Teaching Outside the Box
  By A2L0LOXXS1DZM7 on 2005-09-23
  The book arrived in excellent condition very promptly. I would use this person again.
  
  
• A must read for new teachers
  By A3D4MCRHU7WE35 on 2008-03-12
  I have read this book several times. I got more out of this book than I did reading 2 very long text books on classroom management and teaching in my education courses. I highly reccomend it.
  
  
• My gift for mentorees
  By A30BASXHVTR143 on 2008-04-12
  I have been mentoring new teachers for several years. I was recently introduced to this title at a national seminar on making middle grades successful, and found the book so handy for my own use, and with such useful introductory chapters for first-year teachers, that it has become a standard part of my welcoming gift to new mentorees. I can flip to any part of the book and find ideas and reminders that keep me on track as the kind of teacher I want to be.
  
  
• Great for a beginner teacher
  By AKHPVMP7LJS7N on 2008-05-08
  This book was just what I needed to begin teaching in the classroom. I am trying to be one of those teachers who do more than just "stand up in the front of the classroom and lecture all day". Great read!
  
  
• If you are a public school teacher then you engage in state-sponsored brainwashing and should be sent to prison!
  By A1WERA23FV69VH on 2008-05-22
  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!
  
  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!
  
  Then they have these parent-teacher conferences that are frighteningly similar to $cientology 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!
  
  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 gone on to remove any mention of God!
  
  Culture: Hey, 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 a popular education website 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, Lesbian, Gxy, and Bisexual 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, heterosexual-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 kill 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 kill themselves!
  
  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 independent thinkers!
  
  
  
  
  

• Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56
• Motivating Students Who Don't Care: Successful Techniques for Educators
• The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher
• Reluctant Disciplinarian: Advice on Classroom Management From a Softy who Became (Eventually) a Successful Teacher
• First Year Teacher's Survival Guide: Ready-To-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities For Meeting The Challenges Of Each School Day (J-B Ed:Survival Guides)