Fires in the Bathroom: Advice for Teachers from High School Students

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Fires in the Bathroom: Advice for Teachers from High School Students Pub. Date: 9/1/2005 Publisher: New Press, The

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Overview

The acclaimed book of practical advice from students to their teachers.

Since its initial publication in hardcover in 2003, Fires in the Bathroom has been through multiple printings and received the attention of teachers across the country. Now in paperback, Kathleen Cushman's groundbreaking book offers original insights into teaching teenagers in today's hard-pressed urban high schools from the point of view of the students themselves. It speaks to both new and established teachers, giving them firsthand information about who their students are and what they need to succeed.

Students from across the country contributed perceptive and pragmatic answers to questions of how teachers can transcend the barriers of adolescent identity and culture to reach the diverse student body in today's urban schools. With the fresh and often surprising perspectives of youth, they tackle tough issues such as increasing engagement and motivation, teaching difficult academic material, reaching English-language learners, and creating a classroom culture where respect and success go hand in hand.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Teenagers dictating to teachers sounds dubious, but educators will want to take note of the message from this volume: students do want to learn. Cushman, an education journalist working in conjunction with the nonprofit organization What Kids Can Do, extensively interviewed high school students in several urban areas about every aspect of school, producing this compendium of their advice here. At its best, it gives teachers solid insights from students like Vance, 18: "You really affect kids when you just do your job day in and day out, do it well." The book covers a range of subjects, including how to get to know students, how to earn their trust, how to judge their behavior and what to do when things go wrong. However, the students' demands can sometimes seem unrealistic, especially for teachers in overcrowded public schools-for extra tutoring sessions, for the use of primary source material instead of just textbooks-and the author does not aid her student co-authors by keeping their comments relatively short and by presenting them out of context. For struggling teachers, Cushman's self-questionnaires are the reason to buy. Although best for new teachers, this chance to hear the authentic voices of students should not be overlooked by anyone involved in teen education. B&w illus. (May) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781565849969
Publisher: New Press, The
Publication date: 9/1/2005
Pages: 204
Sales rank: 93,989
Product dimensions: 6.16 (w) x 7.80 (h) x 0.56 (d)

Meet the Author

Kathleen Cushman is the author of What We Can't Tell You: Teenagers Talk to Adults in Their Lives and co-author of The Real Boys Workbook and Learning and the Real World. As a writer for What Kids Can Do, Inc., a national nonprofit organization, she works to bring forward the voices of student writers around the nation. She lives in Harvard, Massachusetts.

	Preface: "And then they set fires in the bathroom, while she was trying to be so friendly."
	Introduction: "Wanted: One teacher. Must be able to listen, even when mad."
1	Knowing Students Well: "If you pay attention, you can see it."	1
2	Respect, Liking, Trust, and Fairness: "If you see the teacher respect students, you'll follow that role model."	17
3	Classroom Behavior: "A lot of people are afraid of teenagers. They think we are these freak humans."	36
4	Creating a Culture of Success: "He just pushed me to keep my head outa them boys and into the books."	62
5	Teaching to the Individual, Working with the Group: "One job of a teacher is to be fair to all. Don't expect the work of one student from another."	85
6	Motivation and Boredom: "Just saying you need to pass math isn't enough. Show me how knowing pi is worth something."	100
7	Teaching Difficult Academic Material: "She snatches history from the past and puts it in my backyard."	123
8	Teaching Teenagers Who Are Still Learning English: "Sometimes I don't know how to express who I am."	145
9	When Things Go Wrong: "Try your best, don't give up."	162
10	Going Beyond the Classroom: "It was more fun than in the classroom - and we learned it, too."	175
	Afterword: How We Wrote This Book - and Why It Matters: "Has anyone ever asked you questions like this before?"	184
	Resources for Teachers	191
	Acknowledgments	193
	The Students: Brief Biographies	196
	Index	199

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5

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Ima_Teech

Posted February 4, 2009

more from this reviewer

When the Student Becomes the Teacher

The greatest piece of advice I¿ve ever been given goes all the way back to my student teaching days (a long time ago!). My cooperating teacher told me to ¿always listen to the students¿. Sage advice indeed that is exemplified in this wonderful book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted July 5, 2007

Insightful

This book really gives insight to the thoughts of high school students in a diverse setting. Students speak freely about many issues. These are things many of our students are too afraid to tell us. My high school principal reccomended this book to me and I am glad I read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 22, 2012

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