Description:

In Tools for Teaching, Dr. Jones describes the skills by which exceptional teachers make the classroom a place of success and enjoyment for both themselves and their students. Tools for Teaching integrates the management of discipline, instruction and motivation into a system that allows you to reduce the stress of teaching by preventing most management headaches. Dr. Jones helps you reduce student disruptions, backtalk, helpless handraising and dawdling while helping you increase responsible behavior, motivation and independent learning. These skills are made accessable by practical, down-to-earth language and many examples and illustrations that provide the next best thing to attending one of Dr. Jones' workshops. 

Reviewer:  G Pirolo (California)

I had been teaching 7th and 8th grade science for two years at an inner city school and was doing OK. I had my classes somewhat under control, but I was getting worn out trying to keep them under control. I read the intro to this book and couldn't wait to finish it and implement his methods. He clearly explains a whole system to deal with EVERYTHING that occurs in a classroom. He gives specific techniques, not just handy hints. I started using the techniques from this book in the middle of the school year and the change in my classroom, and my stress level has been absolutely incredible. I now have nearly perfect class control and the cooperation of my students at all times. The principle now sends new teachers to my room to observe both discipline and instruction. I reread the whole book a few months after the first read, and my classroom management just keeps getting better and better as well as easier and much less stressful. I wish they had given me a two semester course with this book in college! It has made teaching fun and relaxing for me. I'm sure I would have quit teaching by now if not for Fred Jones' book. 

*****

Reviewer:  Paul Roahrig (Indianapolis, IN)

  Fred Jones Tools For Teaching is a practical teaching guide for all prospective and practicing teachers. It is the only methods text that I have used in 31 years of teacher training that is worthwhile for all teachers in today's classroom climate. The text provides classroom management and instruction technology that works in a positive way. Teachers learn how to set limits, teach responsibility and motivate students in a cooperative environment. Teaching and learning improve with explicit classroom instruction methods that help structure lesson planning, enhance partner learning, and actually encourage students to improve learning in order to engage in a preferred learning activity as a reward. Harry Wong's text, The First Days of School, inspires and provides an excellent framework for improved classroom activities. Fred Jones Tools for Teaching takes the next step to provide teachers at any level with proven techniques to improve postive classroom Discipline - Instruction - Motivation.

*****

Reviewer:  J. Rivera (USA)

I read all of the reviews before I purchased this book (among many others) to prepare myself for my 2nd grade classroom this fall. I really enjoyed the "helpless handraiser", room arrangements, body language, etc. But I agree with the reviewer who wrote that it's a bit wordy. After talking with other teachers who've tried his PAT, I'm a little concerned with how well it works. However, I did apply the time incentive with my 4-year-old and it works pretty well at home. I do agree that children need fun activities in the classroom (structured learning) and so I will use it, along with techniques from Dr. Marvin Marshall and Robert Mackenzie. My only criticism of the book is how it is long-winded and I just don't have time to decipher his creative verbage. Overall, there are many ideas not addressed in other new teacher books. I'm thankful that I bought and read this book.

*****