Click Here To Purchase Other-Wise and School-Wise: A Parent Guidebook    

Author: Carol A. Josel

ISBN: 1-57886-037-7

Publisher: ScarecrowEducation

A Practical and Focused Guide

I vividly recall the young mother sitting across from me at her son’s first parent-teacher consultation. She leaned across the small table and whispered, “I’ve lost the instruction manual for this child.” If Carol A.Josel’s OtherWise and School-Wise had been available then, that mother would have found solid hope and practical ideas for raising her son to be academically wise.

The organization of the book is very user-friendly. Twenty-eight chapters cover a wide range of topics, some general such Part 2 on memory making, and others skill-specific, such as the chapter on spelling. By covering a wide range of topics, the book becomes a truly comprehensive resource for guiding a child through the school-age years. 

Each chapter, or part, as Josel names them, comes in a well-organized format that is consistent throughout the book. For example, the part on “Computing Time” begins with a statement, followed by a couple of quotes that state facts like “47 percent of Americans say very few parents know what their teens are up to; 60 percent say the government should restrict access to some Internet material.” (The quote is from Newsweek’s Devin Gordon.) Then, the thinking question from Josel: “What are your thoughts?” More facts follow and another quote complete the page.

The next two pages of the “Computing Time” part offer bulleted suggestions to address computer use among school-age children. Next are two pages that offer websites recommended as useful resources to help parents help their children manage curriculum. Homework helper sites and research sites appropriate for schoolwork complete the chapter. 

I found the chapters on studying and taking tests particularly helpful and also appreciated an insightful chapter on cheating. The educator’s viewpoint, as well as the parent’s, is effectively represented.

Each chapter in this excellent compilation of ideas, techniques and discussion starters offers high quality, practical information. 

The Appendix does not disappoint. Examples of graphic organizers are included that help students organize information and their thinking. Concept maps, story mapping, and Main Idea/Details graphs are a few of the excellent guidelines in getting the student started on thinking through a topic. Even comma rules are summarized for easy reference.

A comprehensive Bibliography follows and guides the parent or educator to resources for exploring ideas even further than what is presented in this book. 

I highly recommend Other-Wise and School-Wise as a must-have resource for anyone involved in raising or educating children today.  It has a easy-to-reach-for place on my bookshelf.