Nature at Your Doorstep: Real World Investigations

Book Description

Using the scientific method as a tool for learning and discovery, children explore such topics as birds, habitats, and biodiversity and are led into the study of all major areas of ecology. Students formulate hypotheses, collect observational data, draw conclusions, and analyze their data using a variety of mathematical representations. Opportunities for language arts, visual arts, social studies, parent involvement, and authentic assessment have been integrated for further development of student skills. This is a complete resource that includes background information and reproducibles. Grades K-3 (adaptable for higher levels).

Customer Reviews:

This teacher's manual proides valuable tips for outdoor teac.......1999-01-11

This teachers manual describes the role of teacher as coach and provides valuable tips for outdoor teaching. Each unit of the investigation integrates the other content areas of mathematics, language arts, and social studies in a manner consistent with the suggestions in the National Science Education Standards. This book will alleviate any fears about taking classroom instruction outdoors. There are 10 areas of investigation, each designed to take 10 days to complete at one hour per day; however, the lessons are flexible. These investigations include the senses, trees, birds, insects, ants, biodiversity, habitats, engangered species, and the food chain. A focus paragraph, background information, and sequence of activities accompany each unit. The unit on trees offers a creative way for students to act out the life cycle, which is described in wonderful detail. The student sheets include an overview that explains what is happening and presents a schoolyard challenge. Students collect data and graph and compare results. At the end of each unit, students create their own investigation. All copy masters are included with and without answers. Nature at Your Doostep provides a way to tap into children's curiosity, wonder, and upper level thinking skills. -Teri Cosentino, Science and Children, April 1998

Book Description

Murray Sperber uses research from students, faculty, and administrators to argue that what universities offer instead of a meaningful education is a meager and dangerous substitute: the party scene that Sperber calls beer and circus, which keeps students happy while tuition dollars keep rolling in.

Customer Reviews:

imperfect, but important.......2007-05-25

For all its faults, this book honestly changed the course of my life. I read it shortly before applying to college. I was, and remain, a serious college sports fan, and prior to reading Sperber's book I looked at teams that did well in football and figured, well, I'll go to one of those universities. Then I read Sperber's book.

Sperber argues that sports-and-party-based frat-boy culture is being capitalized on by colleges, who market their party atmosphere and great sports teams to draw in an ever larger pool of applicants. They then take the tuition money and spend it on their prestigious grad programs, not to mention millions for the advertising, er, athletic department, which draws in ever more applicants. Meanwhile, the universities don't spend any significant money on their undergrad programs. They hire great faculty but then treat their undergrads to 750-person lecture halls taught by assistants, not the hot-shot professors that are advertised. They have rampant grade inflation. They accept virtually everyone and let just about anyone through, degrading the quality and relevance of the undergraduate degree. Thousands of students might not learn much or get a good, comprehensive education, but they will have a drunken good time doing it, and the university still gets the tuition money.

This book has some problems. It makes sweeping sociological generalizations of college culture (any school with 30,000 or 50,000 students cannot be fairly divided into three or four categories of student, as Sperber attempts). It has an obsession with the movie Animal House. It sometimes strays from its general thesis into other complaints. It's easy to come away with the general impression that a degree from a large state school is worthless, as is the education. (I think a fairer statement would be that you CAN get a good education from a large state school, but it's very easy to get a degree WITHOUT having gotten one.)

But the important message is this: big-time universities are using big-time college sports to draw in collegiates to an entertainment-based college experience, skimping on their undergrad programs, and using the tuition money to further fund sports teams and their extensive graduate programs to enhance their name and prowess. It's an academic pyramid scheme. The moral: for graduate education, go to Division I State U. For undergrad, try a DIII liberal arts school. Largely because of this book, that's what I did, and I haven't been disappointed.

A tale of two reviews.......2006-09-06

Sperber does a lot wrong in this book. His title is misleading. He does spend a good amount of time discussing college sports and their effect on the university, but he also takes long extended detours into topics such as honors programs, college rankings, professors' teaching habits, and the shocking lack of homework and studying done by students. Really, he's taking aim at the university as a larger entity. He commits just about every logical fallacy in the book (case studies used to prove large sweeping theories, post hoc logic, ecological fallacy), although really there isn't any way to experimentally study the variables he's considering. Sperber also comes off sounding like the nerdy kid from college who hated the dumb jocks in high school and college and now that he's got a job and they're probably all on skid row (or so the fantasy goes), he will now have his revenge. If this describes you, you will love this book. If the only pleasure you have in life is watching State U play football on Saturdays, then you will find Sperber as nothing but a killjoy. Despite all these problems, Sperber awkwardly brings up a few good points. Why is our culture so obsessed with sports and alcohol? Has the undergraduate diploma become a simple right of passage to which the middle and upper classes are entitled to? His base argument seems that either too many people go to college nowadays or we need to re-think the cultural mythology of what a college degree really means.

Undergraduate Education Comes Up Way Short Next to Sports.......2004-05-24

There is not much doubt that undergraduate education for the typical student at large universities is most unsatisfactory: one is, with few exceptions, a nonentity with no opportunity to shape the educational experience. The only option is to follow the rules; then it is swim or sink. Furthermore, there is no doubt that forming farm teams for professional leagues with substandard students has no place in a university.

The author shows through his survey data that major sports teams in Division 1-A of the NCAA give a focal point to the incessant partying that occurs at most major, large universities. It is the essential point of the book that college administrators are more than willing to give undergraduates "beer and the circus" of big-time sports in lieu of drastically overhauling undergraduate programs. The need for tuition dollars leads large colleges to pack freshman courses, virtually precluding a chance to learn. Sports and partying is the cynical substitute.

Clearly, the prestige focus of top college officials precludes quality education for most students. It is all about image and reputations. Good sports teams increase recognition. So do adding prestigious faculty, engaging in research for corporate America, and having special, honors education for a select minority of undergraduates. The author makes abundantly clear that well-known faculty and elaborate research do not benefit the typical student. Furthermore, athletic programs are invariably a drain on the finances of the university. Even with Fat TV contracts, athletic programs are net losers.

The author breaks down the main student subcultures into "collegiate, vocational, rebel, and academic." They have different goals and different problems interacting with the substandard educational regime. The fact that the party element, the collegiate group, is content, or resigned to, with the current educational situation hardly justifies the de-emphasis on education.

The author does briefly touch on the purposes of college education. Is college mostly a social experience; is it to obtain job skills; or is it to be liberally educated. And do colleges actually support all of those goals for all students.

There is much wrong with universities and the author makes some effort to shed light on the problems. But much more can be said. Should universities perform a special social role, or are they simply big corporations looking out for the bottom line, cutting costs where they can, while paying lip service to a grand mission? It is clear that universities will not perform that mission with the distorting impact of big time sports.

Excellent!.......2004-04-28

Finally someone speaks the truth!
Dr. Sperber is a leading proponent for reforming the NCAA and it's about time people start listening...

END THE SHAM OF AMATEUR COLLEGE ATHLETICS!

Sperber's Writing Binge.......2004-04-09

Did Murray Sperber ever learn to think critically? If he tried to talk tough with Bobby Knight using sports jargon he would be laughed out of the room! Who knows more sports jargon and has all the winning cards, the dumb jock or the arrogant book worm?
Sperber argues that scholar/teachers are outdated but a rank/tenure committee can count papers or books or cites where as only the worst and best teachers have a record.
Ironically, coaches are one of the few teaching species that have a demonstrable record which is why Knight could get away with anything.
Grade schools have discouraged teachers in droves by trying to justify raises using test scores and bias evaluations. Should research universities turn into popularity contests and experiments in test taking or should the public trust traditional proven methods of retention and promotion?

Beer and Circus: How Big-time College Sports Is Crippling Undergraduate Education

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Beer and Circus: How Big-time College Sports Is Crippling Undergraduate Education
Murray Sperber
Manufacturer: Owl Books (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7CXZA

Book Description

In addition to vocabulary that permits effective communication about everyday topics, students will find this guide provides, in extensive footnotes, the most common ways of saying things. It also tells readers the appropriate word to choose in different Spanish-speaking countries! This book emphasizes fine distinctions between synonyms, too. An extensive glossary of the key words introduced and a special listing of foods help make this study guide an indispensable reference tool.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource Material .......2006-11-13

The content and structure of the each lesson presented in this book are superb. Answers to all exercises are also presented at the back of the book and this is excellent for students and independent learners who desire to test their understanding of the the materials presented upon completion of the excercises. This book is just great both learning and revision whether you are in school or just an independent learner.

It not just a list of words, the book provides the context within which the words are used, present them in a way that enhances memorization and correct usage of the various words, provides information on word usage to convey similiar ideas in different parts of the spanish speaking world (constant reminder that there are some differences in in common words usage in some Latin American countries and Spain. The listing of the vocabulary is given at the ends of each excercise.

This book is just excellent and a must have for spanish students!!!

Excelente- me parece muy bueno para los estudiantes.......2003-03-03

This is a wonderful workbook for Intermediate level Spanish students who wish to instantly build their vocabulary. The learning approach is thematic, meaning each chapter focuses on vocabulary pertinent to a theme such as: At the airport (En el aeropuerto), On the airplane (En el avión) or At the train station (En la estación de ferrocarril) to name a few. The book provides ample practice exercises, with an answer key at the back of the book and what I found really valuable was each chapter has a mini paragraph about the theme in question that incorporates the vocabulary taught in the lesson. The workbook will definitely help the student to expand his/ her vocabulary because the chapters encompass everyday themes thus detailing everyday vocabulary. I feel it's more for an Intermediate level student because one would have to have a solid base to benefit from the new material presented in the chapters without feeling frustrated and also have beyond beginner reading and comprehension skills. This is a good supplementary study aid to classroom lessons or independent study.

Indispensible resource for studying Spanish.......2001-09-27

I had 4 years of high school Spanish back in the 1970's, and I recently made the decision to brush up on what I have learned in an effort to further my studies, with the goal of becomming fluent.

I have examined a number of resources in order to determine the most efficient and logical way to build a vocabulary. None of these has come close to Shaum's Outline of Spanish Vocabulary.

The book is divided into chapters that provide vocabulary for everyday usage, as well as in what appropriate context to use each word.

If you are serious about learning Spanish, and are highly self-motivated, this book will put you well on your way to mastering this lovely language. Thanks to this book, and Schaums Outline of Spanish Grammar, I fully expect to be at an intemediate level in Spanish within six months.

Book Description

Students can master Spanish grammar with this high-performance study guide. This book will help them cut study time, hone speaking and writing skills, and achieve their personal best on exams. Features quick drills for reinforcing grammar, verb charts, hundreds of exercises with carefully explained solutions, and thousands of practice test exercises with answers. Now updated to include the latest Latin American vernacular. Excellent for school and for travel.

Customer Reviews:

I was expecting more...and I'm a native Spanish speaker.......2006-08-27

I own the Russian Grammar of this series and I absolutely love that book. I bought this one for helping my fiance to learn my language (I live in Santiago, Chile) expecting to get a very good grammar book. I was very disappointed when I flipped through the pages; although they cover mostly all the notions of Spanish grammar I found that the explanations weren't deep enough on some complicated parts of grammar, specially some verbs and usage of personal pronouns like "lo, le, les". I know how to speak my language of course, but if you ask me "why is this like this way and not like this?" I would have some trouble explaining some things and was the reason why I bought this. I guess it's ok for someone just beginning with the study of Spanish, but I believe it leaves too many things unclear making necessary to buy a better researched book if you want too deepen your understanding of Spanish grammar.

An excellent Spanish resource.......2006-04-12

This is a really great Spanish book for students of beginning, intermediate, and early advanced Spanish. For advanced students in Spanish 4, AP Spanish, and beyond, this book will serve as a very valuable review book. This book, though, may not be for everyone and is definitely not all-purpose.

Your current proficiency in Spanish determines how helpful this book will be. For students who are comfortable with learning Spanish at a faster rate and understands examples quickly, this might be the perfect book for them. But other people who have trouble with Spanish and are struggling with the language at the beginning level may find this book not thorough enough. A lot of exercises are presented here with answers at the back of the book, and whether these exercises are too hard or too easy for you depends on your current level in the Spanish language.

Despite a big section on verbs and really good explanations of adjectives and pronouns, this book seems to be lacking on a lot of topics. For example, there are no chapters on word usage and prepositions. This information, instead, is scattered in several chapters. Also, this book is too incomplete to serve as a comprehensive grammar handbook. The verb chart section is only a few pages and very brief, and there are hardly any appendices. Some students studying advanced Spanish or native Spanish speakers may find it to fall short of their expectations.

In this Schaum's Outline, the differences between "por" and "para" and also "ser" and estar" are clearly explained. But other than that, there is nothing on other words, like "en."

Overall, this book does a prettty good job of explaining Spanish grammar. This book is aimed to help students perform well in class (at Spanish 1, 2, 3 levels), but it probably won't serve as a very good reference guide for a more demanding reader. Again, it depends on your needs.

Depends on what you're looking for.......2005-10-24

To be fair, I was looking for a book to help me with conversational Spanish. This book seems geared more for passing a school course than for learning some quick and useful conversational Spanish. I was looking for a fun way to learn. This is not it.

Buen repaso de la gramática española.......2003-03-03

This workbook is stellar if you are looking for a good review of Spanish grammar at a high Intermediate/ Advanced level. The books cover all the essentials of Spanish grammar and if mastered, one can speak concise Spanish with optimum grammar control. This book was designed to emphasize the fundamentals. Of course, Spanish grammar goes way beyond the scope of this workbook however, it's true to it's objective and it does clarify key grammar points that can enhance one's writing and speaking abilities. I believe workbook is a great supplementary study aid to classroom instruction. It has ample practice exercises and an answer key which is vital when learning a language. The workbook is a worthy purchase.

Excellent Workbook for Serious Study and Review.......2002-07-29

This workbook is for serious review, but definitely not for casual or superficial reading. With virtually zero Spanish background I used it as a supplement to a 1:1 language immersion course prior to starting an expat assignment in South America. I've been on assignment for a year and continue to use it to ensure that my grammar is correct and to help me master additional aspects of the language. It has extensive coverage of grammar principles, numerous exercises to reinforce learning, and includes answers in the back, making it an excellent tool for independent study. My wife has tried various other methods (books, tapes, tutors) and has just asked me to order a fresh, unmarked copy for her.

Average customer rating:

Don't expect to learn Spanish with this book!
Fantastic! Why didn't I find this book sooner?

Schaum's Easy Outline: Spanish
Conrad J. Schmitt , Joseph R. Jones , and Margaret E.W. Jones
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0070527164

Book Description

Boiled-down essentials of the top-selling Schaum's Outline series for the student with limited time

What could be better than the bestselling Schaum's Outline series? For students looking for a quick nuts-and-bolts overview, it would have to be Schaum's Easy Outline series. Every book in this series is a pared-down, simplified, and tightly focused version of its predecessor. With an emphasis on clarity and brevity, each new title features a streamlined and updated format and the absolute essence of the subject, presented in a concise and readily understandable form.

Graphic elements such as sidebars, reader-alert icons, and boxed highlights stress selected points from the text, illuminate keys to learning, and give students quick pointers to the essentials.

Designed to appeal to underprepared students and readers turned off by dense text
Cartoons, sidebars, icons, and other graphic pointers get the material across fast
Concise text focuses on the essence of the subject
Delivers expert help from teachers who are authorities in their fields
Perfect for last-minute test preparation
So small and light that they fit in a backpack!

Customer Reviews:

Don't expect to learn Spanish with this book!.......2007-03-09

This is the worst type of Spanish "easy-learn" books. It is nothing more than a list of nouns, adjectives and verbs. There are "charts" which are simply more lists. This is like studying a bunch of rules that mean nothing because they are never connected to anything real. Languages are not a series of interchangeable parts. A good review book gives you plenty of exercises using real questions, answers, and ways to help you actually know the material. Buy something like Amsco book 1,2, or 3 with the answer keys if you want a good practice workbook. Don't waste your money on this one!!

Fantastic! Why didn't I find this book sooner?.......2000-04-05

I have been studying Spanish for 5 years now, and am currently teaching Spanish at the high school level. Although I am married to a native-speaker of Spanish and speak only Spanish in the home, I remained unsure of my usage, especially concerning certain verb tenses such as the conditional and the subjunctive.

I already own and have read a wide collection of Spanish grammar and reference books. Unlike the large, comprehensive volumes the serious language learner inevitably acquires, this book provides short, concise explanations which one is unlikely to forget.

Being relatively new to the teaching profession, Schaum's Easy Outline for Spanish has also helped me enormously in the classroom.

As the publishers promise, the reader does "get the essence the easy way".

Average customer rating:
2ND EDITION: SPANISH GRAMMAR (SCHAUM'S OUTLINE SERIES) INCLUDING 300 ANSWERED EXERCIESE (2700 ITEMS).
Conrad J. Schmitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFBAPA

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Schaum's Outline of Spanish Grammar, 5ed (Schaum's Outlines)
Conrad J. Schmitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spanish | Instruction | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
Study Guides | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0071543953

Book Description

Schaum's Outline of Spanish Grammar makes Spanish grammar simple with exercises, quick drills, and helpful verb charts. The fifth edition includes extensive coverage of Spanish usage in Latin American countries.

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Schaum's Outline of Spanish Grammar
Conrad J. Schmitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFBSSO

Schaum's Outline of Spanish Grammar (Schaum's Outline Series)

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Schaum's Outline of Spanish Grammar (Schaum's Outline Series)
Conrad J. Schmitt
Manufacturer: Schaum Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFBBMW

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