Reviewer:  Stephen Armstrong (Hadley, Ma USA)

Robert MacKenzie is an educational psychologist who has specialized in handling school-related discipline problems. This is his third book. It is the best book that I have seen relating to what parents and teachers can do to help youngsters learn how to behave well. Among its best parts: "detoxifying" "bad" kids into "aggressive learners" (those who challenge limits constantly), and "disobedient" kids into "kids who learn by testing and experience."

This book is appropriate for all teachers, school administrators who have site responsibility, and perhaps for central administrators who need help building a coherent system-wide set of policies on discipline. This book also will assist parents in handling their children's school-related discipline issues, such as homework.

The theoretical bases of this book are partly tough love (say what you mean, mean what you say, and do not say it meanly), natural consequences (if a child makes an error, let them experience the natural consequences, a la Dreikurs), and logical consequences (to defuse power struggles). The heart of the book is setting limits with kids and shortening down the time from discussion to action (from warning to consequence). There is no "cute" theory or exhortations to love the children more.

MacKenzie sees teachers as integral to the guidance process, as more capable in helping children than the administrators or guidance counselors, who may be more distant from the problem and the child. Thus, this book may leave teachers and parents feeling "empowered."

I was left with one question: In MacKenzie's view, when are youngsters expected to develop personal responsibility to "buy into" their own self-discipline and not have any problems in school?

*****

Reviewer:  Wyote (wandering around the world)

I live abroad teaching English; I love the lifestyle but I have to deal with culture gaps as well as communication barriers in my classroom, often without any communication between me and the school's administration or the students' parents.... Discipline is often a big problem for me.

I believe this book is 100% correct and very helpful. In the two weeks since I read and implemented the ideas I've learned in it, the behavior in my classes (especially the youngest kids) has improved so much. I was burning out fast, and now I'm beginning to enjoy my job again.

My situation is different than normal teachers, with its own challenges and advantages. An EFL teacher like me will have to be a little creative using these techniques because communicating with the kids is much more challenging. But it can be done.

The book briefly mentioned having a system of rewards such as "PAT" or "Preferred Activity Time." Here is my one disagreement with the book, and it is a small one: this is one of the most effective methods of classroom management I know of.

A second criticism, and another small one, is that the book assumes you basically know how to teach; for instance, if you want younger children to behave well you have to keep them busy and entertained. That is part of classroom management, but the author of this book evidently considers it basic teaching skills and outside the scope of her book.

Harry Wong's book, "The First Days of School," is a little broader in scope than this book, and although it doesn't deal with classroom management nearly as thoroughly, I recommend it along with this book to any struggling teacher, EFL or not.

*****

Reviewer:  greyhound girl "greyhound girl" (nyc)

This book is wonderful because it not only points out what you should do, it shows you what you might be doing wrong.

it is INCREDIBLE and changed me as a teacher forever.

it is easy to follow, and just makes so much sense.

i would give this book 10 stars if i could.

*****

Reviewer:  A Beginning Teacher

In college and throughout my student teaching, I felt strong in my classroom management. Then I started substitute teaching in urban schools, and I found myself at a loss and not understanding what I was doing wrong. Then an assistant principal handed me this book. This book saved me! This book has practical advice and skills you can begin applying the very next day. The advice makes sense and it works! I wish I would have read this book in college. They should teach a college class using these methods! Without classroom management, how can we actually teach? Read this book. Of all the books I had to read for college, this has proved the most valuable in the practical "real" world of teaching.

*****