reviews
Aug 09, 2011
Antiestablishment.
A couple of personal notes / direct quotes from the book:
Deborah Meier's five "Habits of Mind"
1. Evidence, or "How do we know what we know?"
2. Point of view, or "Whose perspective does this represent?"
3. Connections, or "How is this related to that?"
4. Supposition, or "How might things have been otherwise?"
5. Relevance, or "Why is this important?"
Howard Gardner likes to invite teachers to pretend they've only been giv More...
A couple of personal notes / direct quotes from the book:
Deborah Meier's five "Habits of Mind"
1. Evidence, or "How do we know what we know?"
2. Point of view, or "Whose perspective does this represent?"
3. Connections, or "How is this related to that?"
4. Supposition, or "How might things have been otherwise?"
5. Relevance, or "Why is this important?"
Howard Gardner likes to invite teachers to pretend they've only been giv More...
Nov 24, 2008
Sherrie
rated it: 
This book completely re-inspired my desire to be a progressive teacher in a school system that is laden with traditional teachers and classrooms (I sub in them every day). Kohn provides a lot of research to back up his position that traditional classrooms are simply failing kids and not providing them with the engaging, and meaningful learning experiences they deserve. It confirmed what I already believe about education but reminded me of how important it is to fight for change as a teacher an
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Nov 10, 2011
Gina
rated it: 
I'm pretty sure most people following these reviews don't care about this book, so I'll keep it short and sweet.
This guy's whole point was that we need to abandon traditional schooling (i.e.- the schooling methods of the last century or so) and let children direct the learning process entirely (i.e.- the schooling method of forever prior to the last century).
He advocates for abolishing:
- all grades whether they be letters, rankings, ratings, scores or anything other t More...
This guy's whole point was that we need to abandon traditional schooling (i.e.- the schooling methods of the last century or so) and let children direct the learning process entirely (i.e.- the schooling method of forever prior to the last century).
He advocates for abolishing:
- all grades whether they be letters, rankings, ratings, scores or anything other t More...
Aug 12, 2011
Emily
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This guy is famous in education circles--love him or hate him. This was a pretty good book that presented the argument against the traditional model of education in our country, with evidence to back it up. Pretty convincing, particularly his arguments against the mass use of standardized testing & all of the pitfalls along with that. Interesting that this came out before No Child Left Behind made mass standardized testing even more prevalent... I'm sure he has a lot to say about that & probably
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Oct 16, 2008
Mary
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I have reading some more current stuff about education this summer while I haven’t been doing school. A few of the books I read I would highly recommend: especially The Schools our Children Deserve by Alfie Kohn.
This book is a response to ED Hirsch’s The Schools We Need and Diane Ravitch’s book The Schools We Deserve. Ravitch, Hirsch and William Bennett (I also read his book The Educated Child) are some of the most prominent voices leading the conservative movement on education so I thoug More...
This book is a response to ED Hirsch’s The Schools We Need and Diane Ravitch’s book The Schools We Deserve. Ravitch, Hirsch and William Bennett (I also read his book The Educated Child) are some of the most prominent voices leading the conservative movement on education so I thoug More...
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Sep 12, 2008
Nola
rated it:
This is a great book for anyone who has children in schools - and also for any homeschoolers. It takes a good look at the educational system and what most needs to be reformed, concentrating not only on the here-and-now but the long-range goals. It also makes a good read for homeschoolers because of the way education is portrayed. It discusses the "ideal" and methods for getting there, and though it is primarily focused on the public education system at large, it gives a great jumping-
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Apr 29, 2011
Kate
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Reading this book was kind of discouraging. I loved it--but I knew I couldn't find what he described anywhere around me, and I felt really at a loss. At this point, I really didn't think I had anywhere near the abilities needed to provide my kids with what they needed--and this book just cemented that for me.
But that left me pretty much hopeless. Couldn't do regular public schools with all their testing and grading, rewarding and punishing, labeling and categorizing. But I couldn't More...
But that left me pretty much hopeless. Couldn't do regular public schools with all their testing and grading, rewarding and punishing, labeling and categorizing. But I couldn't More...
Apr 25, 2011
Clint
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Never a disappointment with Alfie Kohn. With his actual research based evidence and his debunking of other "educational researchers" data, Kohn explains that the old school approach of drill and kill, rewarding, competition, grades, and standardized testing is doing more harm than good. When compared to other countries who are actually doing better in achievement scores, yet they aren't teacher centered, textbook driven, test oriented, homework demanded institutions. They are communi
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Aug 21, 2010
Graham
rated it:
As usual, Alfie Kohn doesn't pull any punches and covers just about every conceivable base in a well-formed, perfectly cogent argument of how to create the type of schools our children deserve. Kohn remains one of my favorite writers on educational topics.
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Apr 27, 2009
Don
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Well researched counter to the standards and testing arguments. Talks about democratic classrooms but oddly stops short of democratic schools.
Jan 08, 2012
Diana
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I really like the focus on true, thoughtful, whole person education! I highly recommend this book.
Apr 21, 2011
Karyn
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The author goes a bit further than I would, but basically this is exactly the kind of education I want my children to have.
Dec 21, 2008
Mike
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A case for progressive education that is not necessarily charter schools!
Dec 20, 2008
Terry
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A complete picture of what stymies education and what might be done about it. Written in 1999, Kohn's thinking is as relevant today as it was at the end of the Clinton administration. For the first half, chapters delve into how education gets motivation, teaching and learning, evaluation, reform, and improvement wrong. The second act explores the ways to make meaningful changes.
Kohn is a must for parents and teachers and anyone who is concerned with the condition of education in t
Kohn is a must for parents and teachers and anyone who is concerned with the condition of education in t
May 08, 2008
Wendy
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Presents valid and provokative arguments concerning our current schooling system in the US. The language was accessable, entertaining and appropriate for its intentions. My only beef is that Alfie occasionally makes remarks that are funny but a bit snippy. Could easily be written off as propaganda by it's opposition reading certain sections. It's defifinately for the progressively inclined audience, and probably won't do more than anger the traditionals.
Feb 06, 2011
Angus
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The information contained in this book is so crucial to our crumbling education system, yet those in power choose to ignore it.
Kohn gets a little overly cynical in his writing and can use some over-simplified examples at times, but the content is vital enough to garner the 4 stars I gave.
I recommend skipping the introduction
Kohn gets a little overly cynical in his writing and can use some over-simplified examples at times, but the content is vital enough to garner the 4 stars I gave.
I recommend skipping the introduction
May 14, 2009
Kimberlee
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This book changed my view of education especially when it comes to high stakes standardized tests. It taught me that we don't have to accept the status quo and that there are better ways of teaching. I'd recommend it to teachers and parents who worry about their child's education.
Jan 11, 2008
beck
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This book seems to be targeted at people who know nothing about constructivist teaching practices, so much of it comes off as repetitive and fairly shallow. Kohn also is a failed public school teacher, which always calls authority into question in my opinion.
Nov 18, 2007
Ashley
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Kohn has some really interesting ideas, but the book is pretty dense read. Really good if you're at all interested in public schools in the US or if you hate standardized testing. Otherwise, it mostly just strengthens beliefs that a lot of us already have.
Jul 09, 2008
Reading this was like having the lights come on above my head. It was one of the strongest experiences of it that I've had with a book. I'm a different and better teacher now.
Sep 26, 2008
Katie
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Our presidential candidates should have to read this and follow Kohn's suggestions to the T. I love Kohn and his work. Inspirational!
Nov 18, 2010
Tanya
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Thinks book really makes you think about why we do what we do! A good book for reflecting on how much conveyor belt hang over I still have.
Dec 01, 2009
Jenni
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I read this shortly before we made our decision to homeschool, and it affirmed that choice for me in every way
Jul 25, 2007
Gea
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A basic book on what is (very generally) wrong with schools. Written in common language for all to read.
Apr 22, 2008
Tori
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I love Alfie Kohn. I'm not a big proponant of standards-based assessment, and neither is he.
Dec 16, 2009
Brittany
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It completely changed my outlook on what education is supposed to be. Very inspiring.
