This Second Edition of TAKING SIDES: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION presents current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript. An instructor’s manual with testing material is available online for each volume. USING TAKING SIDES IN THE CLASSROOM is also an excellent instructor resource with pra… More >>
#1 by Reginald Williams on July 2, 2010 - 6:17 pm
Is corporal punishment okay? Is phonics instruction better than whole language emergent literacy? These and many other debates make up this volume. I do not want to spoil it for you.
Certainly, we have discussed these topics before. This book, though, allows us an opportunity to hear opposing experts point versus point. Each chapter begins with a objective overview of a particular controversial idea in early childhood. Thereafter, we see a “pro” side of the argument and a “con” side of the argument presented in essays by noted scholars/writers in the field.
For the most part, you see equal time and effort given on both sides. Even though few chapters make you change your mind if you already have a personal position on the issue, the debates are engorging. My only concern is the chapter on corporal punishment because I sense that one side has been given more credibility than the other side.
I think that this book would excite a set of students in an early childhood masters seminar as well as make for excellent dinner-time conversation.
Rating: 4 / 5
#2 by Amanda Ambros on July 2, 2010 - 6:28 pm
As far as the sale of the item it was great, book was in perfect condition and arrived on time or maybe soon, I can’t remember. The reading of the book, well that is being done because I have to for class, but it is an easy read!
Rating: 4 / 5