The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher
by Harry K. Wong
Book Description
The best-selling book ever on classroom management and teaching for student achievement with over 3.3 million copies sold. The book walks a teacher, either novice or veteran, through structuring and organizing a classroom for success that can be applied at any time of the year at any grade level, pre-K through college.
The book is used in thousands of school districts, in over 100 countries, and in over 2,000 college classrooms. It’s practical, yet inspiring. But most important, it works!
The new 4th edition includes updated research, photos, and more examples of “how-to” along with an implementation DVD, “Using THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL” featuring Chelonnda Seroyer.
This is the most requested book for what works in the classroom for teacher and student success.
More Details
- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Harry K. Wong Publications; 4 edition (January 1, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0976423316
- ISBN-13: 978-0976423317
- Price: $20.98
About the Author
Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong are award-winning teachers and new teacher advocates. Harry is a native of San Francisco and is arguably the most sought-after motivational speaker in education today having given some 3000 presentations to over a million people. He has been called “Mr. Practicality” for his common sense, user-friendly, no-cost approach to managing a classroom for high-level student success. The March 2006 issue of Instructor magazine named him one of the 20 most admired people in education along with Maya Angelou, Howard Gardner, and Oprah Winfrey. He has received numerous other teaching honors.
Rosemary is from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her classroom success led to her selection as one of the first Mentor teachers in California. She has received many Silicon Valley business honors and the Southeastern Louisiana University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Profits from the sale of their book fund “The First Days of School Foundation.” That foundation has built and funds the 250 student “Wong Mean Reth Learning Academy” in the jungles of Cambodia.
Customer Reviews
I recently received a copy of the newly revised version of The First Days of School, and I love it! I’m enjoying it so much that I don’t want to rush through it. I read it a little at a time, savoring it like a wonderful piece of chocolate. Everything is clearly written, and much of what is written is quite profound in its simplicity. I love the sidebars with extra information and inspirational stories, as well as the internet links to additional resources. The page layout is attractive and easy to read. Many people are familiar with this book as a “must have” for beginning teachers, but as a 27-year veteran, I can say that this book is just as powerful today as it was when I first read it years ago. There is much wisdom tucked inside its pages!
Last night I sat down and started reading this book from the beginning and somewhat past midnight I had to force myself to put it down to go to sleep.
Why is this? It’s not that it’s such a sweeping, romantic epic — my
other bedtime reading just now is War and Peace. (Also quite good!)
Partly because I’m just very interested in teaching and everything to do
with it. But there’s something also about how it exactly models the
behaviors and attitudes the authors are trying to cultivate. It’s extremely well organized and well-paced — in a nutshell, well-managed. It’s also very inviting and warm. To make advice about posting assignments somehow draw you further into the text is quite an achievement.Erica Schoenberger
Professor
Dept of Geography and Environmental Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University
I am a high school science teacher. My principal gave my a copy of this book when I started teaching 13 years ago. Since then, I have read it every August before I start the school year.
I enjoy reviewing the components of good teaching (positive expectations, classroom management, and lesson mastery). However, my favorite part is the section called, The Teacher as a Professional. It helps me maintain a positive and professional attitude during the school year which is not always easy to do. Thank you Harry and Rosemary Wong for inspiring me to be a teacher-leader, not a worker!