Yardsticks

Chip Wood wrote Yardsticks with parents and teachers in mind. This book is nothing more than a resource for parents and/or teachers who have children ages 4-14.

The first part of the book discusses the developmental issues affecting all children while the second part touches on major developmental considerations. The third part of Yardsticks, in my opinion, is the most valuable. In the third part of the book, there is a chapter devoted to each age level (i.e. 4, 5, 6, 7, etc…). Each of these chapters begin with a memorable quote by a well know figure. Following this quote, words of wisdom from the mouths of children at the specific age represented in the chapter, age appropriate behaviors, and lastly what a parent/teacher should see and/or expect in physical, social and academic realm of the child.

MY TWO CENTS
Although this is not a doctorate dissertation, Yardsticks speaks to the reader on layman’s terms. It is easy to understand and a quick read. For those just starting out in field of child development, parenting and/or teaching, Yardsticks is worth your time and the space on your book shelf. However, you have spent years studying child development, have 4-10 children or have taught for a zillion years, this book is not for you. You already know it all. In my opinion, this book is perfect for those who are new to the profession, parenting or simply for those who want a quick refresher course. I enjoyed the read and will put it on my recommendation list.

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow wrote the book entitled, "The Last Lecture". The book has been broken up into six parts and reflects much of what Randy Pausch shared with his audience during a lecture series. In the past, this lecture series was called, The Last Lecture and selected college professors were asked to give a lecture as if it were their "last lecture". Throughout this lecture they would share their wisdom, successes, and council to those who attended the lecture. For Randy Pausch, this wasn't merely a frame to build his lecture around, it was reality. Randy Pausch was diagnosed with Pancratic cancer and given a short time to live. He looks, sounds and acts like your average healthy man but he is on the slippery road to death. Throughout the book, he provides his readers with simple, yet profound advise. This book is one I would highly recommend for men. Randy's comments, humor, humility, and humanity brings the reader to the place where things really matter....the moments we spend with those around us, specifically those we love.

Randy past away during the month of July (2008) and left behind a lovely family and a lasting legacy. He is a man who used his last months on earth to make a lasting impact on his family, friends and those still on earth. Continue to dream and seek to fulfill that dream.

If you have not read his book or seen Randy's lecture on You Tube, I highly recommend it. His book and his last lecture will occupy space on my book shelf, occupy space in my computer, and be shared in my leadership classes. May everyone who encounters his book and/or lecture benefit in a life changing way.

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride is nothing more than a self-help for the soon to be "father of the bride." This self-help guide was written by Jennifer lata Rung and was published in 2005. This book is nothing more than your friendly buddy sitting next to you and telling you all the things you need to know about your daughter's up coming wedding. The only difference is that this buddy is knowledgable, articulate, and fits in your back pocket.

The nine chapters in The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride covers the basics. The authour talks about your daughter leaving the nest, introduces you to the wedding vocabulary, the planning process, money etiquette, looking good, and your wedding day duties. Each chapter is filled with practical advise and valuable information. The information is straight forward and provides a simple road map for any dad to follow.

I would recommend this pocket book to any dad who has little to know knowledge about this whole wedding thing. It will provide you with some insight as well as help you become familular with the wedding process. However, if you are a dad who has gone through a wedding or two other daughters, this book would only serve as a refresher course or a book that reminds you of all the things you should have done. In either case, you can't lose reading the book. You'll either impress everyone with the wedding knowledge that you have or you will impress everyone on how much you have changed since the last wedding. Either way, you will contribute to the beautiful day your daughter will remember for the rest of her life.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
This book was very informative and actually enlightened me in a few areas I knew nothing about. When I first purchased the book, I thought it was going to releave me from some of the stress I have been encountering regarding the upcoming wedding of my precious daughter. However, I must confess the book did not relieve any stress but only added. As I read through this pocket book, I came to realize that I'm not like the father next door nor like the perfect ones every daughter dreams about. Movies have done us regular Joe dads a disservice buy setting the "perfect" dad bar so high that the only one who can live up to it are those in the minds of our daughters. That aside, I did realize that this is her special day. Her wedding day is the one event, the one day, she has been planning for since early childhood. This day is the one day she has lived for and it will be the one day she will want to remember for the rest of her life. In addition, I came to realize that I am ment to be a stabalizing force throughout the wedding process (i.e. the finances, the planning, the event). Although my daughter's fiance is capable of this (he is a very smart, wise, and carrying young man) it is important that I make myself available to listen and provide a voice of reason "when asked". Lastly, it is ok to begin preparing what I will say during the reception toast (as well as to the guests). This does not have to be a spur of the moment speech but should be well thoughtout, meaningful, and memoriable.

For those of you men who have a daughter getting married in the near future (i.e. 1-2 years), this book is a recommended read. If anything, this book will provide you with the basic knowledge and wedding lingo to make you look and feel like a superstar. Although you may feel it, your daughter might just think you "are" one of those super perfect dads we see in the movies.

The One Minute Manager

The One Minute Manager is one of many "One Minute Manager" books. The One Minute Manager was the runaway #1 national best seller on the New York Bestsell list for two years running. With its simple story line, easy to understand concepts, and practical strategies, The One Minute Manager became one of the most widely used management books in its time. This classic book was written by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D. It was published the year I graduated from highschool (1981).

As with all of the One Minute books, the One Minute Manager has been written like a story. They typically start out with a main character who is seeking advise from a wise sage regarding a pressing topic. In the One Minute Manger, the main character is on a quest to uncover the secrets of a successful manager. Through his research he discovers that most managers do not have time for him or they really don't share any helpful information with him. That is until he meets the One Minute Manager. This manager takes an appointment immediately and begins to share his secrets. In fact, he sets him up withother who share his view.

The main character learns about setting one minute goals, giving one minute praises, and providing one minute reprimands. He learns these secrets not only from the one minute manager but from those who work under hiim. Things work out so well with the main character that he gets a job working with the one minute manager and he soon finds himself to be just like him.

The story ends with an young woman setting up an appointment to talk with the main character about his secret to managerial success.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I remember reading this book during my early days of college. It made a lot of sense to me and I believe it became a part of the foundation of my leadership style. It makes sense to set goals, monitor your progress towards them, reprimand when necessary, and celebrate when the goal(s) has been reached. This book was worth the reread. It refreshed my memory on the things I should be doing with the people whom I work with.

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind was written by T. Harv Eker and published in 2005. It is a "How to get rich" type of book. It is a book for those who wish to explore the whys they are in their financial state and how they can change their "financial blueprint." According to the author, we are in controll of our financial well-being. We are rich, poor, or inbetween all because of our financial blueprint. Mr. Eker explains to the reader why he/she is in her current financial state (typcially individuals who have purchased this book are already in a financial situation and are looking for a solution) and then proceeds to provide the path of recovery. The book does provide some helpful hints that, I believe, are nothing more than common sense. However, there are also some bits of advise that may put individuals into more financial peril. Like all self-help type books, they offer advise. This advise will work wonders for some and devistate others. All readers should read these type of self-help books with a bit of causion.

Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management

William H. Swanson is the author of Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management. He wrote this thirty-three unwritten rule management booklet in 2004. Mr. Swanson joined the Raytheon Company in 1972 as an engineer on the shop floor. As of the writing of this management booklet, he has become the chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. Throughout his journey, he has jotted down his thoughts and bits of wisdom on how to perform more effectively. This booklet is a product of his journal writing as well as effective practices.

Mr. William Swanson has compiled thirty-three rules he operates by on a regular basis. Each rule begins with the rule and then a brief story justifying the purpose of the rule. These justifications and/or insights are filled with humor, wisdom, and raw, yet practical experience.

Of the thirty-three unwritten rules, I have a few favorites. Rule number 4 has to do with looking for what is missing. This makes a lot of sense to me, especially in a meeting. Typically, presenters provide the audience with needed information or information they have a deep understanding of. Often times the most important message are the things unsaid and/or avoided. Rule #8 encourages you to put forth your best efforts, especially when new to the organization, on all assignments. A good supervisor and/or individuals in influential positions are always watching up-and-coming team members. They observe as well as remember how you handled those menial as well as those difficult tasks. Often times, it is those menial and trivial assignments that define as well as spell out an employee’s working character. Lastly, rule #28 states that “you remember 1/3 of what you read, ½ of what people tell you, but 100% of what you feel.” This rule makes a lot of sense to me. I try to read plenty but I find it difficult to remember the things I read. Thus, I write these brief reviews on the books that have been exposed to my eyes. Throughout the day, many people talk to me. Remembering what they say has become an arduous task. Thus, I carry a little 3X5 note pad in my left shirt pocket and write down the things I need to remember. I started this practice when I first became a vice-principal and had to remember all the “promises” I would make. To this day, I write down messages, phone numbers, birthdays, work orders, and special announcements in this little notebook. Lastly, we all have feelings. I work with teachers, students, parents, and family members. They all have feelings. When I interact with any one of these individuals, it is important that they will remember 1/3 of what they read, ½ of what they hear, but 100% of what they feel. If I come across angry, upset, happy, joyous, dull, boring, uninterested, or energetic, that is what they will remember. It is vital to always be cognizant of how I present myself to others so that their feelings will match what they read and/or heard from me.

For a seasoned leader or an up-and-coming leader, this is a worth while leadership booklet. All thirty-three unwritten rules by Mr. Swanson are practical and easy to put into practice. I have read this booklet a number of times and have discovered something new each time. After this recent read, I found many of the thirty-three unwritten rules to align themselves with the book entitled, The Leadership Challenge. The Leadership Challenge is an excellent text on leadership. With two plus decades of research supporting their position on leadership, The Leadership Challenge is a book worth exploring.

Stop, Drop and Roll

Stop, Drop and Roll was written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Arthur Howard. This Scholastic book was published in 2001.

Stop, Drop and Roll is a precious story about a young elementary age girl who worried about everything. Her name was Jessica. Jessica worried about homework, spelling tests, and her new steps in ballet class. Fire Prevention month is the month of October. We journey with her as she learns about fire prevention and what to do when faced with a fire. Her teacher asks Jessica to model how to "Stop, Drop and Roll" if your clothes catch on fire. Although she worried herself silly about, little miss Jessica was able to model the correct actions in front of the whole school.

MY TWO CENTS:
I really enjoyed this book for two simple reasons. First of all it takes us through the mind and actions of an elementary school child. As an adult, a fire drill or even a disaster drill is nothing more than practice. As a adults we have experienced many of these type of drills as well as an occasional "real" thing. However, fire drills and/or disaster drills are new and unfamiliar situations for elementary school students. This book written by Margery Cuyler exposes young students to these common drills and lets them know they done for their safety. Lastly, I enjoyed this book because it outlines the actions that should be taken by all in the event of a fire. Our character, Jessica, takes this new information and begins to apply it to her life at home. She begins to ask her father questions regarding fire safety and she takes her little brother along to inspect the house for fire hazards. Jessica models for our young students what they should do both at school and at home.

This is a book I would recommend as a quick read-a-loud followed up with a conversation and/or a lesson on fire prevention. It is an easy, quick, fun, and action provoking read.

NO AR: :(

Why Grace Changes Everything

Why Grace Changes Everything written by Chuck Smith. This book was published 1994 by Harvest House Publishers.



In a nutshell, this book is about God's grace. It has fourteen life changing chapters that talk about God's grace and how it will transform your live into "something rich and beautiful."


The message of grace is simple, yet man has made every effort to make it difficult, complex, and unattainable. Through these fourteen chapters, Pastor Chuck Smith has taken this convoluted concept of grace and explains it in a clear and forthright manner. Utilizing scripture from the new and old testaments, Chuck Smith explains that through God's grace we are forgiven through the simple act of believing in what Jesus said and did. He takes the time to share with the reader that one's salvation is not based on works but rests on the acts of Jesus Christ and God's grace toward man. Jesus completed the required tasks and fulfilled all of God's requirements. Man can not nor will he ever be able to complete or fulfill all of God's requirements through his own efforts. Works will not open the door to heaven, only God's grace toward men/women who by faith trust in Christ. In the last chapter of his book, Chuck Smith states it best, "The message of the New Testament is simple, direct, and unmistakable. We are saved by God's grace through faith alone, not on the basis of any good works we have done. The sole responsibility of a Christian is to believe in the love and grace which God freely offers."

TWO CENTS WORTH:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of grace as well as its relationship with God, Jesus, and the believer. All of my life I have believed that work was the key to get through those pearly gates. I had to work and tip the scales in my favor so that all of my sins would be over looked when compared to my good deeds. The bible reveals to the reader that our works can not and will not get us into heaven. Yet, through the simple act of believing in Jesus we given the keys to heaven and forgiven of all we've done in the past. Jesus has done all the work required of me in order to be in God's presence. Now all I have to do is believe and accept the grace God freely offers.

This is an excellent book on the subject of God's grace. Why Grace Changes Everything is a book that will meet the needs of the serious scholar as well as the novist (sp). It was an easy read. Chuck Smith used scripture throughout the text as well as real-life experiences. The text was easy to understand, confirm with scripture, and apply to one's personal walk. This is a book I recommend to read.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham was the Newbery Medal award winner in 1956. The book is a biography about the man who uncovered and made available the secrets of sea navigation to the common man. Without Mr. Bowditch's efforts and determination, the mysteries of navigation would have remained mysterious and elusive to the common man. Knowledge is power and strength. Thanks to Mr. Bowditch many sailors were given practical knowledge about navigation (and mathematics) and with that knowledge they attained power and strength to become what they dreamed....Captain's of their future.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a detailed biography of the life of Nathaniel Bowditch (a.k.a. Nat). The authors takes you through his childhood well into his adulthood. At an early age, Nat's family realized he would not follow the footsteps of his father and grandfather. A sailor needed to be big, strong, and healthy. Nat was none of those. He was good with numbers but his parents could not afford to have him go to school. His family was poor and struggled to put food on the table and cloth the family members. At the age of twelve, Nathaniel was indentured to two men with a shop in town. He was to be their book keeper as well as work the store for a total of nine years.

During his time as an indentured servant, Nat learned how to use his talent with numbers. His love to learn and discover was the fuel that taught him to read, learn Latin, learn French, learn astronomy, and learn everything there was to learn about ships at sea.

Soon the shop was sold and with it his indenturedship. The new owner kept him through the end of his term. When his service was served, Nat was becalmed. He didn't know what to do. As time passed, he found himself on a ship as the ship's navigator. Soon Mr. Bowditch learned to take lunar readings on the sea. As problems with taking lunar readings presented themselves, he began to resort to the logic's and consistencies math provides. He discovered a new way to take a lunar without occulting the moon. This new discovery continued to fuel the fire of learning new ways to keep sea-traveling men safe.

As Nathaniel travels on the ships, he utilizes the sextant to take readings but during the remaining hours he would study the "Moore" charts as well as teach the deck hands how to take readings. Nat was consumed with numbers and verifying that the charts were accurate. During his voyages he discovered many errors and these discovers bothered him to the core. When Nat was not studying the charts or taking a reading, he was graciously spending his time with those deckhands who "wanted" to learn how to take readings. These men took to learning as a thirsty traveler takes to water. They were thirsty for practical knowledge.

Eventually, Mr. Bowditch gained enough experience to command his own ship. He traveled to ports on the other side of the world to buy and sell cargo. His knowledge of sea routes, navigation, mathematics, French, astronomy, Latin, and deep understanding of human behavior were valuable assets in his travels.

Mr. Bowditch traveled around the Cape and into the eye of a hurricane at sea. He navigated his ship up stream with head winds. He even traveled home in fog thicker than pea soup through areas that have been littered with ships at the bottom of the sea. These feats were all done because of his extreme faith, his extreme belief in the benefit of math. He was a man who saw the power of mathematics. It is consistent, dependable, and reliable. One does not need to see if he/she knows his math. One can simply get from point A to point B if he/she simply follows the mathematical path and does not resort to his/her vision or feelings. Mathematics and the love of learning filled the sails of Nathaniel Bowditch.

TWO CENTS WORTH:

It's no secret, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was a biography of a man who faced a wide variety of obstacles, yet he overcame them humbly and purposefully. Here was a man who could have gave up early in life and many would have justified his actions. At an early age it was already determined he would not follow in the family footsteps of becoming a sailor. His mother passed away and he was indentured at the young age of 12. Nat's talent with numbers was noticed by many influential people but he was never able to attend a prestigious school (i.e. Harvard). His first love married another man, his first wife passed away, his brother's died at sea, and many of the sailors did not like him. All of these things he overcame, he kept pushing forward.

Mr. Bowditch was a master teacher. He took difficult concepts and made them simple and easy to understand. The common sailors, whom were viewed as unable to learn, were his students. many of them learned to navigate and soon became valuable members of other ships. He was a man who knew if he could teach these sailors to understand navigation, he could teach anyone. Soon he wrote down what he taught so that anyone could navigate a ship utilizing the reliability of math. The book is still used today and can be found in many captain's personal as well as professional libraries. The American Practical Navigator or the Sailor's Bible is the name of the book Mr. Nathaniel Bowditch wrote.

This is a book that can be used in the classroom of any math teacher as well as any teacher trying to communicate to their students (especially those who are faced with multiple economic and social barriers) that with dedication, determination, tenacity, and a love of learning will have a positive impact on your personal, professional, and social life.

I highly recommend this book. It is a journey well worth the time and effort to take. May the wind always come from behind and fill your sails. However, if the wind stops and the fog sets in, the laws of mathematics may be your path to safety.

P.S. There were a ton of tier 2 and tier 3 words. As I read through this book, I kept a dictionary close to my side. The tier 2 words were easy to identify and the context in which they were embedded assisted me with their definition. However, the context that surrounded the tier 3 words did not help much. Although the dictionary was opened frequently with some of the tier 3 words, I still had to consult a few sea-worthy individuals to bring those words to life.

AR QUIZ: 100%

Mr. Grumpy

Mr. Grumpy by Roger Hargreaves was published in 1978 by Scholastic Incorporated. It is one an enourmous selection of fun titles that draw a child's attention to positive and negative charachter traits. The characters, typcially the title of the book or a book within the series, are delightful, entertaining, and provide a powerful yet suttle message.

Mr. Grumpy is a short story about a grumpy rectangle. He is grumpy and mean to everyone he encounters. One day he ran into Mr. Happy. After thier brief encounter, Mr. Happy left a little less happy. He then struck a deal with Mr. Tickle. Every time Mr. Grumpy was grumpy, Mr. Tickle tickled him. Mr. Grumpy did not like to be tickled or experience happiness. Soon he figured out that if he was grumpy he would experience a tickle. At the end of the story, Mr. Grumpy was still grumpy but a little less.

TWO CENTS WORTH:

I think the author has known me since I was a tiny rectangle. Mr. Grumpy could easily be me as a child, as a teen, and now as an adult. There are those times I wish Mr. Happy and Mr. Tickle worked out a systematic plan to change my grouchy behavior. ;)

This simple story provides a wonderful opportunity for character development discussions with students in all grades (elementary and secondary). The characters are easy to identify with as well as the simple plots are identifiable situations that can lead into powerful discussions. As I continue to develop the Ambassador's Club at our school, I plan to utilize some of these Scholastic books (i.e. Mr. Grumpy, Mr. Greedy, Mr. Happy, Mr. Nosey, Mr. Wrong, etc...) as we explore core character traits.

NO AR QUIZ

Alcoholism: The Facts (3rd Edition)

Alcoholism: The Facts is a classic text on one of the most common drugs in the world - alcohol. The book is written for those who share their life with someone who has an alcohol problem and those who have an alcohol problem. The author, Donald W. Goodwin, is a practicing doctor who can skillfully write so that the average layman as well as an up-and-coming medical professional can gain valuable incite into the world of alcoholism.

Dr. Goodwin has organized his book into four major parts: 1) Alcohol, 2) Alcoholism, 3) Understanding Alcoholism, and 4) Treating Alcoholism. Each major part of the book is subdivided into four additional sections.

PART 1: Alcohol - This part of the book introduces the reader to alcohol. It talks about the types of alcohol beverages, how alcohol affects the body, how alcohol influences behavior, and alcohol throughout history.

PART 2: Alcoholism - The author defines alcoholism, provides the reader with explicit symptoms of the alcoholic, explains the typical course the alcoholic travels, and provides in-depth information on women and alcohol.

PART 3: Understanding Alcoholism - Here the author discusses the risk factors related to alcohol, the connection between alcoholism and depression, alcoholism within the realm of heredity, the addictive cycle of alcohol, and several psychosocial theories related to alcoholism.

Section 4: Treating Alcoholism - Dr. Goodwin covers the variety of treatments available for those who struggle with alcohol. Research gathered from treatments in the West as well as research gathered from the East. There was a chapter dedicated to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and one on attacking the problem of alcoholism within the family. The book ends with one of the most widely-used self screening questionnaires for detecting alcoholism. This questionnaire is called MAST or Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. The questions are pretty intense but straight forward.

MY TWENTY DOLLARS WORTH: Typically I loath (tier 2 word) scientific type books with big tier 3 words and pages upon pages of information a doctorate student could only understand. However, this 158 page book on alcoholism was informative, practical, and easy to read. Traditionally, I trudge through non-fiction books especially when they contain a ton of material just to support the author's one main point. This author was gracious enough to trudge through the mounds and mounds of research for us and then summarize his findings. Yes, this book is a summary of Donald W. Goodwin's research. It has been written in a way so that even a lay-person can understand the complexities of alcoholism.

This was a simple read. The book has given me an insight into a world I have chosen to ignore. Alcohol impacts every one's life whether they are the drinker or the non-drinker. Is it good or bad? Is there a good time and a bad time to consume alcohol? Is there a right amount or wrong amount of alcohol one should consume? These are all questions each person must individually resolve within themselves. However, think about this: "If anything (i.e. alcohol, food, pills, lust, etc.) consumes your every thought, find a friend and talk about it. This may be the key to opening the door to a healthier and happier life."

Back in the late 60's - early 70's there was a commercial with an elephant roaming through a house. This commercial seemed to be on every channel, every day, in between every show. The commercial began with the camera zooming in and out of rooms throughout the house. Then the front door opened. A few heads turned towards the door as this huge elephant walked in. As the elephant walked through the house from room to room, each of the family members simply ignored the elephant or moved quickly out of its way. Before the commercial came to an end, the figure of the elephant faded into grey and was replaced with the figure of a man. The picture faded away and some message about ignoring alcoholism was placed on the screen. I wonder how many of us know of an elephant in our house yet chose to ignore it? Or worse. I wonder how many of us are the elephant yet don't realize it or chose to ignore it.

I highly recommend this book for those who want to gain practical knowledge about alcoholism. As I have mentioned previously, it is an easy read and worth the space in your professional library.

AR QUIZ: NO AR QUIZ

The Secret

The Secret was written by Rhonda Byrne and has been a popular topic at book clubs, around the water cooler, and on Oprah. Apparently there is also a DVD that promotes the same concepts in this book. The Secret is a self-help type book that promotes positive thinking, name-it/claim-it, and believe and it will happen concepts. The Secret consists of 198 pages and broken up into ten chapters. The chapters are filled with multiple quotes from past and present day masters of the secret. In each chapter, the author will make a statement or elaborate on a key concept within the secret. Then she has a slue of quotes that support her claim. These quotes are mostly from contemporary "secret" masters as well as some from the past.

One thing I did like about the Rhonda Byrne's book was the summaries at the end of each chapter. It was hard to read her book because of all the quotes. Thus, the summaries were extremely helpful because I could get straight to the point of the chapter.

Rhonda begins her book with an introduction to the secret. The secret is simple, yet powerful. The secret is a concept that when it is put into practice, amazing things can and should happen. The concept is this: "Like attracts like." We all have heard of the saying, "You are what you eat." Well, you are what you think, you are what you read, you are what you practice, you are who you hang out with, etc... If you tend to have a negative outlook on life, you will typically attract others who have the same view. Then that is the only world you see, thus, it supports your belief. It becomes a vicious cycle. The opposite is true also. If you have a positive outlook on life, you tend to attract others like that. Then they contribute to your perception of the world and it becomes a more positive place.

This concept is powerful and can be liberating for many; however, when taken at the levels that Rhonda Byrne suggests, I see it as a destructive and harmful concept. First, according to the author, you must truly believe in the secret for it to work. This sets up an easy out for the author when you have applied the secret and it did not work. If I placed my order with the universe (the author suggests you always consult and request from the universe for whatever you want - wealth, relationships, a job, health, etc...), truly believed I will receive it, it will happen. This type of thinking can be beneficial but overall it is destructive. I have heard of individuals praying for a cure, believing they can be cured, and they were cured. That has happened. But, this is not common place. This does not nor will it ever become common practice among every human being. This is where it becomes destructive and even dangerous. There are many people out there who will read this book and take every word of it as gospel. They will believe that if they simply "place their order with the universe" and believe, they will get their wish. I ask, does that mean the blind man will see, the deaf hear, the quadriplegic will walk? What about all the starving, undernourished, homeless children in America or Africa? Can't we "place our order" so they can all be fed, nourished, or provided shelter?

There are certain natural laws that we can not over come because we are not God. All men have been appointed to death. It will happen some day. The exact day or time I do not know, nor do you. Man can prolong life, heal many illnesses, fix broken bones, feed children, and provide shelter. However, there are things (even with the universe's help) we can not do: grow a limb, cure cancer, remove hunger from the world, remove disease from the world, remove war from the world, remove physical ailments from the world, etc...

Can some of these things happen, absolutely! Our God (not the universe) is a great God and is bigger than any of our problems or situations. However, God's purpose for me in my life is not to grant my every wish or demand.

We can make changes, drastic changes, in our personal life through the simple concept of the secret. However, when one takes this concept to it's deepest levels you may get what you want but at a price you never expected to pay.

ANOTHER TWO CENTS WORTH:

When ever you read a self-help type book, always realize the author and/or publisher are attempting to SELL you a concept. Typically their product will make everything better, make you happier, make you healthier, make you wiser, etc... However, in order for this to happen, you must buy this book, attend this seminar, subscribe to this club, etc... Always try to approach these self-help type books cautiously and look for the bits and pieces that provide help for you. There is no quick fix to any problem or situation. Everything takes time, energy, effort, and determination. Good luck on your journey.

The Moral Imperative of School Leadership

The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is written by Michael Fullan. He is the author of several other books dealing with systematic changes within the school system.

After learning that my school did not make it's projected A.P.I. score or the A.M.O. (annual measurable objectives) for 2006 the air was sucked out of my lungs and my heart proceeded to beat slower than a dead-man's. Even though we had show academic growth in our targeted areas, we did not meet the 24.4% proficient criteria in ELA for two of the four sub-groups: Hispanic and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged. This placed us in the arena of a 1st year program improvement school. Up until now, we have been extremely proactive.

When we received the notice that we had become a 1st year program improvement school under the No Child Left Behind act, I as well as every member of the staff were devastated. For three months, I sulked, walked the darkest streets, and experienced depression at new depths. We did everything we were told, everything research suggested, and implemented them with fidelity.

This book was recommended by my boss during one of our conversations. Before the conversation ended, she loaned me the book. Needless to say, I read the book within a week and it began to reshape my thinking as well as helped me gain a new perspective of the place I hold within this huge educational system. Each one of us can make a difference as individuals, we can make a difference as a school, we can make a difference at the district level, and we can make a difference regionally. It is more than we “can” make a difference; it is our moral imperative to make a difference!

Mr. Fullan has divided up this book into five simple chapters. He discusses the need to revamp the principal’s role in order to help change the context within which teachers and students learn. Michael Fullan then discusses many of the self-imposed barriers both the principal faces as well as the school system. The third chapter discusses in some detail the first of two levels of making a difference. Making a difference individually is level one and making a difference as a school is level 2. Chapter four covers the remaining two levels of making a difference. These last two levels go beyond the school. Level three is making a difference regionally and level four is making a difference in our society. In the last chapter, Michael Fullan provides global steps toward making a difference on all four levels.

MY THREE CENTS:
As I mentioned earlier, this book was introduced to me at a pivotal point in my professional career. All of the time and effort that our educational team put forth into the education of the children under our care was not measuring up to the goals set forth by the No Child Left Behind act. We were devastated. I was mystified.

A couple years ago I read a book entitled “Good To Great” by Jim Collins. Mr. Collins talked about leadership in a five-level hierarchy. I was fascinated by this concept but saddened because it was not directly related to education, my professional field. Then along came a spider the book “The Moral Imperative of School Leadership” and Michael Fullan borrowed from the familiar leadership hierarchy concept in Good to Great. However, instead of a five-level hierarchy Mr. Fullan talked about four. The concepts were the same: all people can make a difference at level one; however, the difference you will make will have the lowest impact. As you move up the hierarchy, the higher the influence you will make within the system.

I will never find the silver bullet that will change my API scores into the 800-900’s or my AMO’s at/or above 75% proficient in ELA and Math. However it is my moral obligation to do what ever I can to level the educational field for all the children I serve so that they, too, have every opportunity to attain success in our educational system as well as within our society.

This is a recommended read for those principals who have tried everything under the sun and have been unable to gain ground. This book will help clear your mind, gather your thoughts, and reaffirm many of the things you are already doing. Remember, numbers are only numbers but children are children who will some day grow up and run society. Children will remember the things taught by those individuals who where their champion on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You can and you will make a difference as an academic leader, it is your moral obligation. Good luck on your professional and personal journey!

NO AR QUIZ :(

God Loves Me, So What!

God Loves Me, So What! is written by Guy Doud. This is a practical book about believing in God, learning ways to stand firm in one’s faith, and discovering ways to stand firm consistently. This book was written for our youth – those challenging, yet inspiring young children in the teens. Guy Doud reaches out to them and shares with them at their level.

The Tooth Fairy, Cupid, and Santa Clause were all real to me and to most of my friends during my early childhood years. Now that I am getting older, my childhood years tend to increase. At this point in my life, “childhood years” mean the years between 1 and 24. At any rate, the author talks about our early childhood beliefs in Santa and the Tooth Fairy and the day our faith in them ended. As these make believe characters fade so does our innocent belief in God and all that surrounds one’s Christian faith.

Through simple language, real life experiences, and practical advice, Guy Doud discusses the reality of God and the importance of maintaining a belief in Him. Best of all, he uses his gift of communication to reach out to our youth (a.k.a. ages 1-24).

The eight chapters cover the reality of God, the ABC’s of a situation, how to play (P-pray, L-learn, A-Act, and Y-yeild), and how to apply one’s faith in the home. Guy Doud provides his readers with two very powerful acronyms: 1) PLAY and 2) ACTS. The acronym PLAY is a simple, yet practical way to remember what to do when one faces any type of situation (whether it is serious or not). First you go to God in prayer. Second you turn to His word, the bible, and learn what He has to say about the situation. Third you take action based upon what you learned. In other words, you do something about the situation. Finally you yield to God’s guidance. In our daily lives we face a daily battle. In this battle there are only two sides: God’s side and Satan’s side. When a situation presents itself, we need to decide which side of the fence we will wage war from.

The author also provided his readers with the acronym of ACTS. This acronym is handy when one buckles down to pray. ACTS is nothing more than a sensible order to one’s prayer. This makes a lot of sense to me. When I pray, I typically bulldoze through it requesting answers and/or solutions to my pressing questions and/or dilemmas. Guy Doud simply suggests that when one begins to pray, he/she should keep in mind ACTS. When you begin your prayer, you should spend sometime adoring God for who He is. After some time in adoration of God one then confesses his/her sins. Thirdly, one moves into the arena of thankfulness. We thank God for all the things He has done for us. Lastly, we move into the realm of supplication – we lift up our requests to Him. I have to admit that I have begun to structure my prayers after this simple acronym. This uncomplicated prayer structure has added structure and focus to my conversations with God.

This is a book worth picking up if you or someone you know is facing the basic question, “God Loves Me, So What!” I enjoyed the journey as I’m sure others will also.

NO AR QUIZ :(

For Men Only

For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women was written by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn. This book is a book written for men about women. Does it have the silver bullet? Does it provide the reader with all the answers to his questions regarding the woman he loves? NO. However, the authors of the book surveyed thousands of women and multiple focus groups to gather data on how women think. The conclusion is quite simple, women think differently than men and men think differently than women. We are simply wired differently.

Shaunti Feldhahn wrote a best selling book called For Women Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Men. It was such a hit that Shaunti and her husband, Jeff Feldhahn, were encouraged to write a similar book for men. This book comes from a biblical perspective and the comments, recommendations, and statements are based upon the data collected from the surveys, focus groups, and conversations from women across the nation.

I found the book to be insightful, humorous, and predominantly right on. The author's statements and/or claims were based upon the data he collected. The author wrote as if he was sharing this information with his friends out on the basketball court, over lunch, or simply while talking over the phone. The information was delivered in a straightforward manner with no frills (thank you). It was refreshing to hear an author suggest that the information in their book was not absolut but generalizations had to be made as a result of the data collected. There are always exceptions and there is always the anamoly.

For those of us who are looking for ways to gain insight on how our spouses think and opperate, this book provides some answers and mulitiple ways to improve and build upon our relationship. The book is a quick read, enjoyable read, and practical.

NO AR QUIZ.

The Five Love Languages of Children

The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, M.D. has been an interesting read for me. Over the past year I have taught a graduate level class about leadership, specifically leadership within the realm of education. In one of our class sessions, we were discussing that one of the practices of an exemplary leader is to encourage the heart of others. How does one effectively encourage the heart of others? An exemplary leader, an excellent leader takes the time to get to know, to understand, and to uncover what his/her constituents are all about. This is not done as a means of external and internal manipulation but to enable others to reach their fullest potential.

Love is the foundation and this is the foundation of the book. The authors suggest that there are five love languages of children. In no particular order the five love languages of children are: 1) physical touch, 2) words of affirmation, 3) quality time, 4) gifts, and 5) acts of service.

According to the authors, every person has a love tank that needs to be filled and/or kept filled. The way to fill an others love tank is to discover which of the five love languages is their "primary" love language. This book provides you information on each of the five love languages, examples of each one, and ways to discover your child's primary love language. The authors stressed that it is important to be "mulit-lingual" in your approach of loving your children; however, the love you give to your children will be powerfully felt when given purposefully through their primary love language.

I enjoyed this book and found it to be beneficial to me at this time in my life. As I look at and have conversations with my two children and my wife, I can't help but think about ways to communicate my love towards them within one of the five love language categories. Which love language is their primary love language? Time will tell.

Yes, this was a good book that will change my way of doing business both within the household as well as in my line of work.

How Full Is Your Bucket?

How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. is a wonderful book for both professional and personal development. The book was recommended by a colleague and I read it in two sittings (1.5 hours each). The book is filled with simple stories that create images that bring to life the main ideas.

Do you remember the concept of using "put ups" instead of "put downs"? Well, the concept of the filling or depleting one's personal bucket is similar in many ways. The author's theory behind the book is called, "The Dipper and the Bucket". Each of us have an invisible bucket. The contents in the bucket (water) is either being poured into this invisible bucket or it is being taken out. The water represents one's emotional well being and/or positive emotions. A dipper is used to dip into an others bucket and/or to fill an others bucket. Every time you encounter another person (i.e. in person, email, telephone, etc...) you will either fill their bucket or deplete their bucket. Every human interaction has the potential to fill or deplete.

The authors provide plenty of research that suggests the upside of being positive. Positive people or people who tend to live on the positive side of the fence tend to live longer, have more friends, stay healthier, and tend to be more productive (at work and at home).

Some interesting facts notated in this book:

• The #1 reason people leave their jobs: the don't feel appreciated.


• Bad bosses could increase the risk of a stroke by 33%.


• A study found that negative employees can scare off every customer they speak with - for good.


• 65% of Americans receive no recognition in the workplace last year.


• 9 out of 10 people say they are more productive when they're around positive people.


• The magic ratio: 5 positive interactions for 1 negative interaction.


• More than 13 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction could decrease productivity.

This concept of filling or emptying an invisible bucket is so simple, so visual, and easy to implement. Daily interactions with my family and my staff have me instantly reflecting on what I did. Did I just fill their bucket? Did I just use my dipper to pull out of their bucket to fill my bucket?

I have and will continue to recommend this book to my friends and colleagues. It is a quick read, a light read, and has the potential of creating a positive and better life for all those you encounter....especially for you.