Seven Simple Secrets: What the BEST Teachers Know and Do!

by Annette Breaux, Todd Whitaker

Implementing these secrets will change your life both in and out of the classroom. But most importantly, implementing these secrets will enhance the lives of every student you teach.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2006

About the author

Annette L. Breaux is an education author and speaker. Her expertise is in student achievement, classroom management, and new teacher induction. She developed the FIRST Program, an induction program for new teachers adopted.

Breaux has been a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, and teacher induction coordinator.

Reviews

[Lynn]

While there are good things in the book, I wanted more specifics. I would read through a chapter and get to the end and be constantly thinking "OK, good ideas, now how do I do that?" And the little "poems" started to irritate me.

[Claudia]

Not rocket science, but little lessons that could have been very helpful as I slogged along, making almost every mistake there is for a teacher to make...The book breaks down each of the seven simple secrets into action steps, gives examples of effective and ineffective teaching, recaps, and includes reflective questions at the end of each.

So, What are the Simple Secrets? Planning, Classroom Management, Instruction, Attitude, Professionalism, Effective Discipline, and Motivation.

I listened to Todd Whitaker years ago and he asked whether we knew any 'superstar' teachers...I said I knew a few young ones who were developing into superstars...he smacked me down, telling me superstars are born, not made...I'm assuming, since he's a co-author, he's changed his mind. The lessons in this book are exactly what can make a teacher effective, happy, and maybe a superstar.

[Noelle]

Sarcastic in a BAD way. The book says "We don't want to insult your intelligence" several times... Oops - you did.

[Karen]

Common sense...

[Jamie]

Excellent book for new teachers.

[Tiffany]

I just read an awesome book for teachers called Seven Simple Secrets by Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker. This book has seven simple secrets to help you in your classroom. A chapter is devoted to each of the seven secrets. The authors give examples from classrooms and then give specific ways to implement that secret in your classroom. The secrets include: planning, classroom management, instruction, attitude, professionalism, discipline, and motivation/inspiration.
This book has a lot of great strategies that I plan to use in my classroom this fall. It is a great book for teachers of all ages - from preschool to college. It is a quick read. You can read all of it or specific sections that you want to fine tune in your classroom. It has lots of tips that you can use immediately. I highly recommend it for teachers.

[Sheila Hill]

Excellent book!! Great for first year teachers, as well as seasoned teachers. It is a very easy read, with common sense, practical strategies to implement in your classroom. I loved the scenarios in the book because you can immediately relate to them. I highly recommend this book!! Thinking about reading What Great Teachers Do Differently next.

[Shawn Liner]

Great read! Especially for two specific categories of teachers. 1. New Teachers Great to help you miss the sinkholes that break the legs of so many young workhorses. 2. Tired teachers. Remind yourself of what you "should" know. I recommend it!

[Tracy Hackney]

Excellent book for teachers whether you've been teaching for years or are beginning your first year. It is short and to the point. The authors present the common factors found in effective teachers versus ineffective teachers. Very inspiring!

[Meagan]

All my teacher friends: This was the textbook for my practicum class this semester, but I actually really liked it. It wasn't really set up like a textbook, and it had a lot of good advice and made lots of good points to consider and reconsider in your teaching. :)

[Barb Keltner]

Great tips, great examples and analogies! And fun to read!

[Joel Mitchell]

Great concepts. This is a book which should be re-read multiple times during the lifespan of a career.

[Amber]

I read this for a classroom management class. There are many other books that teach classroom management better than this and without the bad poetry this book relies on.

[Natalie]

the answer to everything in the book is psychology.

[Ayn-Margaret Schaekel]

This is a great book for teacher to get a better sense of how to teach. It gives great ideas and tools for new teacher and veteran teachers to use.

[Michelle]

Great reminders for me of what an efficient teacher should always do.