Teaching Out of the Box: A Teacher's Guide to Making History Fun... and More!

Unlike the other reviews, I did not find this book worthwhile. If you have any teaching experience whatsoever, the ideas present are secondhand (mnemonics and acrostics anyone?) and poorly explained. For example, under the "games" section, the advice is that you can make a history game out of any well-known game, like Old Maid. No further instructions are given on how best to do this.

Finally, if you teach any Modern US History, you will not find sample lessons in this book, as the lesson examples go up to the Civil War.

Overall, a very disappointing purchase that I returned.

As an educator, I can relate to Mr. Cody's beliefs. His book only verifies and encourages me, and others who are in education, to go beyond what is minimal...............All of us, in one sense or another, are teachers. He shares practical tools that can be used to reach students. I know I will use this book and share it with others.

Stan Cody has taught school for more than 33 years in Southern California. He draws upon those many years of experience and expertise in "Teaching Out-of-the-Box": A Teacher's Guide To Making History Fun...And More is provide novice classroom teachers with a series of tools (including mnemonics, acronyms, and wild stories) designed to elicit laughter and delight from children while drawing them into learning history and other subjects with zest and enjoyment. A 194-page compendium of accessible, applicable, practical, inventive, ingenious, effective, and wonderfully creative teaching methods to transform any static classroom into a vibrant forum of eagerly engaged young minds, "Teaching Out Of The Box" should be considered "must reading" for beginning classroom teachers -- and has a great deal to offer even the more seasoned classroom instructor -- regardless of what the curriculum subject matter might be!

"Stan Cody's "Teaching Out of the Box" is filled with sample lesson plans, unique artwork, and delightful photos that transform the stereotyped classroom into a stage for "Historical Extravaganzas."

Cody challenges teachers to step out of their comfort zone and teach by doing the unexpected. His examples of "Teaching Out of the Box" include: using new methods, varying your teaching approach, and using student participation. He includes association songs, illustrations, creative ideas, and diverse approaches to motivate your students.

As I read Stan's book my mind went back to my high school history classes. I was reminded of the dull lectures, and the class time spent in reading the text. I found I was envying Stan's students. In fact I was motivated to review and memorize his history time line, and to relearn the order of the Presidents of the United States.

Cody's book is a valuable tool. I wish it had been available when I was facilitating classrooms and training teachers. He gives suggestions and instructions for "food preservation the early American way."

This book is a tremendous resource for implementing new ideas in today's classroom. Stan provides the basis you as a classroom teacher will need to develop your own creative imagination to implement a student centered learning environment. Stan closes the book with a comprehensive and valuable bibliography of suggested printed and on-line resources.

The current emphasis on "exit exams", for high school students makes this a particularly timely and important work.