What Is It About Me You Can′t Teach?: An Instructional Guide for the Urban Educator

by Eleanor Renee Renee Rodriguez (Editor), James A. Bellanca (Editor)

"This resource provides ′real′ application of theory into practice. The strategies help enrich learning through student-friendly approaches that strengthen students′ skills and promote self-direction. After reading this book and applying the strategies, my students are better learners, and I am a better teacher."
―Dennis Kowalski, Director, Greater Cleveland Educational Development Center

"This book is extremely valuable for its application to African-American students′ achievement. A must-have resource for every educator in teaching and learning."
―Diana Daniels, President, National Council on Educating Black Children  

Empower urban students to reach higher levels of achievement!

Research on student achievement asserts that improvement begins with the expectations of the classroom teacher. Combining high expectations and research-based practices enables teachers to deliver high-quality education in any environment. What Is It About Me You Can′t Teach? provides urban educators with the tools they need to help all students achieve successful educational outcomes.

This second edition discusses the challenges faced by urban students, examines the research base that supports "high expectations" instruction, and provides countless practical strategies that can be implemented at all grade levels. The authors

Strategies to help students become active, engaged learners Ways to help students to take control and responsibility for their own learning Methods for developing students′ cognitive skills Sample lesson plans that demonstrate using the strategies at all levels A new chapter on professional development for urban educatorsSharpen your own knowledge and skills so that you can effectively help your students reach higher levels of knowledge and achievement.

Genres: Teaching

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

Reviews

[Ben Posner · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting Dr. Rodriguez in Atlanta, I had to find a copy of her book. Luckily, my Director of Curriculum who sent me to Atlanta let me borrow her book. One single word: AMAZING! I loved meeting Dr. R, and I absolutely loved her book. Her insight into teaching methodology is astounding, and her use of Feuerstein and other cognitive theorists ground her ideas, methods, and lesson plans into that rare area in teaching...common sense, research-based, and easy to use! Who could ask for anything more!

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this had a lot of important reference information and suggestions for good classroom management and relating effectively with one's students. That said, it is much like an encyclopedia, offering little snippets of information without providing a complete understanding of any topic. Reading this book was like compiling a list of things I want to learn about. I am particularly interested in Feurestein's Basic Tools.

[Erik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitious and common sense. I was reminded of a few good ideas I have used in the past, but for the most part I found this book uninspiring and boring. It would probably be more useful for new teachers.

[Danielle Gawronski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read if you are an educator of a diverse classroom. It touched on a lot of topics to teach to the urban student. It almost went over them too quickly. You were introduced to the idea then moved to the next.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for informative teaching practices and improving those practices. I found helpful techniques to use in my work and to safe for later. Especially liked the multiple intelligences section as well as the transcendence chapter as well.

[Rhonda Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every teacher should have to read this.

[Chrissy Misso · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book did not really give me new information; i do not think this was a good select for a Masters course given the lack of new info and lack of detail.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting topic, really good insight.