Kids First from Day One: A Teacher’s Guide to Today’s Classroom

by Kristine Mraz, Kristine Mraz

"This book is a place to start creating the classroom of your dreams from the very first minute of school, a classroom that is research based, child centered, and in step with the world today."
- Christine Hertz and Kristine Mraz The classroom of your dreams starts with one big idea. From the first days of school to the last, Kids First from Day One shares teaching that puts your deepest teaching belief into that children are the most important people in the room. Christine Hertz and Kristi Mraz show how to take that single, heartfelt value and create a cohesive, highly effective approach to teaching that addresses today's connected, collaborative world. With infectious enthusiasm, hard-won experience, and a generous dose of humor, Kids First from Day One shows exactly how Christine and Kristi build and maintain a positive, cooperative, responsive classroom where students engage deeply with their learning and one another. Kids First from Day One strengthens and deepens the connections between your love of working with kids, your desire to impact their lives, and your teaching practice. It Just starting out and want to know what really works in classrooms? Curious about how to make your room hum with learning? Or always on the lookout for amazing teaching ideas? Read Kids First from Day One. You'll discover that the classroom of your dreams is well within your reach.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction, School

184 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2018

Reviews

[Denise Shaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read that validated my teaching philosophy. I read it for a book study in my district and it was so relatable that I enjoyed it. It wasn’t bogged down in theory, it wasn’t dry and dull. It was engaging to read. This book is about creating a child centered classroom that allows children to learn and explore. Some of the great features of this book were the color pictures, the QR codes to video clips showing teachers in action and the space in the margins to take notes as you read. I had notes about things I would like to try next year (hello, flexible seating) and highlights of things I agreed with. This was an inspiring read that has me excited for the new school year - after summer, of course!

[Hollianne Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was organized really thoughtfully. It has a lot of practical, modern advice and techniques for so many aspects of being in the classroom- probably especially for newer teachers. The authors come from a place of understanding, empathy, and an allowance for individual differences that I feel matches my own philosophies and that I didn't necessarily get from some other education books.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine and Kristi have created a book that would be perfect for a student teacher, a first year teacher, or a veteran teacher. Any teacher can use this text to determine if they "know" what student-centered classrooms look and sound like, to match up whether they "think" their practices are student-centered or whether their classrooms really ARE student centered. Four sections to the book: the heart of teaching, social environment, behavioral environment, and the curriculum. This book includes the latest research in manageable bits with space to stop and reflect on your teaching practices. This is a "MUST READ" book for all teachers! :-)

[Heather Stringham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book, but its audience is elementary. I wish it would have been advertised better so I would know.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I didn't like how touchy-feely the authors were. The first couple of chapters really annoyed me. There are errors in the book and references to pop culture that got under my skin.

As the book progressed, I started to enjoy it more, but I've read better. After 21 years of teaching, there wasn't much this book taught me, but I can see the benefit for teachers entering the profession or who need help with the concepts presented.

I liked the interviews the best. They cover a great range of topics, and you hear from the experts themselves and things that you can do in your classroom to better meet children's needs in an inclusive environment.

I also liked the colored portions of the book that broke concepts down into small pieces such as when to use a group style, what it would look like, and resources to help.

The appendix has letters that are just too wordy! I work in a Title 1 school. Parents aren't going to read those wordy letters. Get real! Short and to the point is the way to go.

There are QR codes so that you can watch the authors in action. I have not used them yet, but I'm curious and plan to.

All in all, this book turned out to be ok. I think the authors should rewrite the beginning so that it isn't cheesy. Their attempts at humor fall flat. At times the text is so wordy that I just totally spaced out. (Did I just date myself using that phrase? YES!)

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I four to his book easy to read and interesting. It was a little basic for me but it did give me a few good ideas and I enjoyed the interviews with other educators. I also liked that the authors recommended other books to read if you wanted more information about a certain topic. A good refresher for back to school. Would be great for new teachers.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new teacher, I found this book actually very helpful and unlike the information I learned in college. While some practices were common sense, I found it calming to know what to do the first month of school after reading this book! A definite recommendation for all new teachers!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The video clips included through QR codes are excellent.

[Melissa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for ALL educators regardless of grade or content area. I will gift this book to anyone I know entering teaching for the first time.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!

[MaryAnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the joy that should come everyday with teaching - it inspired me and helped me refocus on what is most important ... the kids ❤️ highly recommended!

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine book for a new teacher. Great advice on everything from schedules, to relationships, to mindset, to parent communication. Enjoyed the videos of real classrooms.

[Amy Brown (amylikestoreadalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like quite a few of the ideas in here, especially the emotional environment chapter. I wish the whole
boom had more of that. The first chapter didn't grab me.

[Mary Beth Revesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great tool for teachers getting ready to go back to school. I love the extra large margins for the reader to write their own notes!

[Amy Bowker · Rating 3 out of 5]

For younger classes mostly

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me over and over and now I see why. I was hesitant that it would be full of trite recommendations or obvious ideas, but it is thoughtful and energizing. A true keeper.

[Laura Hoyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great ideas to implement in the classroom- a lot that was already being done, however. Always good to reflect on your teaching practices!

[Valentina Gonzalez]

I love this book. It's a beautifully written text. Even as a "seasoned" educator no longer in the classroom, I found it inspirational.

[Ms. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the BEST book on teaching I've read. Amazing!!

[Ella Hasty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some really good advice and some pages felt fluffy.

[Dr. Raye of Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definitely not a newbie teacher but I found a lot of affirmation in this book. So much of my current teaching philosophy appeared in this text and it made my heart happy. This is definitely a book I will be passing on to future student teachers and interns so they can begin their first year on the best foot possible. A worthy read of anyone who spends time with children.

[Tammy McMorrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all of my 24 years of teaching, I don't know that I've ever read a book more essential to the core of what teachers do on a daily basis. Mraz and Hertz so beautifully and repeatedly bring their readers back to what really matters in the classroom - the students. This book should be in the hands of every elementary teacher. Period.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I highly recommend reading it. While it confirms many of my own teaching practices & beliefs I found many ways to improve. Helpful charts & QR code videos to support what the authors have to say! This would be a fantastic read for beginning teachers and those who need to be encouraged to “try something new.” This would also lend itself to a great book study for a staff or grade level.