On Teaching

by Herbert R. Kohl

Herbert Kohl is one of America's most thoughtful and best-known writers on education. In On Teaching he explores the reasons people choose to teach in elementary and secondary schools. He describes the skills and techniques they must develop in dealing with students and parents. He stresses the importance of becoming attuned to the social system that exists among fellow teachers as well as among the members of the community one serves.

Genres: Education

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Educator best known for his advocacy of progressive alternative education and as the author of more than thirty books on education. He founded the 1960s Open School movement and is credited with coining the term "open classroom."

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The handbook for the open classroom teacher. Anyone interested in teaching should pick this up. It made a world of difference for me in my second year of teaching. Still trying to figure out how to have a classroom without assigned seating. Some things are difficult to practice. So many people write on how to respond to certain situations in the classroom, while he focuses on when to back off. Good for anyone looking for practical anarchy.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many people these days seem to be a fan of emergent learning. I am included in this group. Yet, it is really difficult to get anyone to define how to become an emergent learning teacher. Herbert Kohl manages to lead you through the steps of setting up an emergent classroom - BRAVO. This was written quite a few moons ago, but it is the best one I've read on the subject.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe I used parts of this book for a research project I did on teachers my freshmen year of high school. The publication date on my bibliography was 1976 though.