Teaching Methods & Practices

Reviewed by Joanna Koch, Associate Teaching Professor, North Carolina State University on 9/15/25

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Overall, the book is comprehensive in providing novice teachers with effective classroom management procedures, assessment, and lesson planning strategies. A strength of the book is focusing on strategies that are effective, yet remembering the "teacher's voice" and providing them with encouragement to make the classroom procedures effective for them and their students. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the reader to self-reflect and guide their learning within each section. One area for consideration is to include more self-reflection questions that the novice teacher can use throughout their pre-planning, planning, and implementation stages of classroom management, lesson planning, and assessment.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

In reviewing the book's accuracy, the information appears accurate in research and citations. A strength of the book's accuracy is including videos and hyperlinks that allow the reader to pursue and learn further about the content. One area for consideration is making sure the terminology is strength-based phrased, especially within the classroom management section. It would be helpful for the author to edit to ensure all learners are discussed when explaining the "Responding to Students' Needs" section. Additionally, technology is being used frequently in today's classroom, so it would have been helpful to include more information on how to use technology effectively for lesson planning and assessments.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The text's arrangement is relevant and provides a variety of resources (websites, citations, and videos) for the reader to further explore the information. Novice teachers will appreciate having multiple resources they may further explore, as the novice teachers' resources may be limited during their first year of teaching. To ensure continuous relevancy, it is important for the author to periodically return to the text to ensure the resources are up-to-date and accessible.

Clarity rating: 4

In reviewing the text, the content was clearly written and allowed novice teachers to quickly learn and understand the vocabulary and teaching strategies. A key strength of the text was a detailed and user-friendly table of contents that allows the reader to quickly access the information. One area for consideration is to include more types of assessments, such as diagnostic as well as formal and informal formative assessments.

Consistency rating: 4

The text was consistent in the format and content. One of the text's strengths included the detailed table of contents, visible headings/subheadings, and consistent layout. The consistency allows for the novice readers to understand the overall flow of the information. The textbook's online and eBook formats were consistent in the framework and layout. But the PDF format needs review to ensure all the content is accessible and the layout is consistent. Some of the videos and hyperlinks were not included within the PDF.

Modularity rating: 5

Holistically, the textbook was easy to read with manageable sections to read. One of the strengths of the text is having the summary and learning objective stated at the beginning of the chapters. Novice teachers will benefit from this modularity, as it summarizes blocks of information in an organized and consistent approach. Another strength was including videos that further summarize or extend the information that was discussed in the subsections of the chapters.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The organization of the text was well-formatted with a familiar layout for each chapter, so readers will feel comfortable using and referencing the text. Additionally, having the videos, hyperlinks, and suggested activities at the end of the chapters allowed for further extension of the information. The text's organization is helpful for novice teachers to further apply what they are reading and learning.

Interface rating: 3

One area for consideration is to make sure the PDF is free of significant interface issues, as sometimes the PDF does not download the entire textbook with hyperlinks, videos, and websites. The PDF's features may confuse the reader if the images and hyperlinks do not download correctly. It might be useful if the author went back to ensure the PDF had the hyperlinks for the videos to be accessible to the reader.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

In reviewing the text, there were no grammar issues found.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

One suggestion is to make sure the research, videos, and citations are from a variety of researchers and practitioners. It is helpful for novice teachers to learn from both researchers and practicing teachers, as it allows for the novice teachers to learn about theory and practice.

Overall, the Teaching Methods and Practices book will provide the novice teacher with an introduction to the field of education by exploring topics, concepts, and issues focused on classroom management and assessments. Course instructors may find this text helpful as a supplemental resource to include within their courses focused on an introduction to education, classroom management, and/or assessment.

Reviewed by Jared Stewart-Ginsburg, Assistant Teaching Professor, North Carolina State University on 5/17/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text includes essential elements of managing a classroom and planning instruction, including more overt elements (e.g., procedures) and hidden elements (e.g., teacher voice). Each concept is discussed in sufficient detail, with several examples and a variety of resources embedded within the text. The text enacts Universal Design for Learning principles by providing multiple means of representation to illustrate concepts (e.g., text, videos, podcasts, interviews). Instructors may find it necessary to supplement the text with other readings. For example, the text briefly describes the importance of a positive reinforcement system, but does not provide enough examples that teachers can implement such systems. The text includes thorough information on instructional planning and assessment. The chapter entitled “Responding to Student Needs” provides a very brief overview of instructional strategies for a variety of student populations (i.e., Students with Disabilities, English Language Learners, Gifted Learners).

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The information presented is accurate and based on research. The author references studies throughout the text to justify strategies and principles. Some statements about student needs hint at deficit-based views (e.g., “modifications alter learning tasks in a manner that lowers expectations…”).

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

There are a myriad of videos, activities, open resources (e.g., worksheets), and additional resources for deeper learning embedded into the text. This makes for a more engaging and accessible text, and encourages students to interact with the text.

Clarity rating: 5

The organization, syntactical structure, and text features facilitate clarity and comprehension. Beginning teachers would find the text approachable and clear.

Consistency rating: 5

The text has high internal consistency and uses the same terms, ideas, and concepts throughout.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is divided into chapters. Each chapter has several sections. The concepts build on each other to some degree, but could be parsed out or reorganized if necessary to fulfill the goals of the course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Each chapter begins with a brief introduction, followed by objectives, then sections. Chapters end with a self-reflection and opportunities for deeper learning. There are advanced organizers and summaries of each section to assist in information retention. The chapters follow identical structures.

Interface rating: 5

The text is best viewed on a web browser where students can see the text alongside all interactive elements. Overall, the text looks well-designed across interfaces. Some textbox formatting spills onto another page when downloaded as a PDF, which might confuse the reader. Not all elements transfer to the PDF, so links are included for students to access all elements.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammar issues were noted.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Examples include students and teachers from several cultural backgrounds. The text could more explicitly address how teachers’ biases affect their view of classroom behavior, though it does address this in terms of whose “problem” a behavior is.

This book provides a thorough, accessible, engaging introduction to foundations of managing a classroom and planning instruction. Beginning teachers may consider this text as a friendly, concise guide to help them in their first few months in the classroom. Alongside supplemental material, educator preparation programs may find this text to be a good fit for an introductory course in teaching, classroom management, and/or assessment.