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The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter
 
 

The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter [Paperback]

Vivian Gussin Paley
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 21.50
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Product Description

From Library Journal

Recent MacArthur award-winner Paley reveals the subtle, involved process that occurs as a child learns to socialize and interact with other children. In her classroom, children become storytellers. She feels that by letting them create stories with alternate patterns of behavior, they learn new ways to achieve acceptable behavior. By tape-recording and analyzing (with her colleagues) children's conversations and actions she shows how play is, among other things, a sort of rehearsal of problems, and misbehavior perhaps just a poor timing or performance. Calling to mind echoes of Sylvia Ashton-Warner's Teacher (LJ 5/1/63; 1986. pap.), this offers insight into class control, setting limits, and teaching methods. Ideal for those who specialize in working with children and for libraries in need of material on this subject.
- Annette V. Janes, Hamilton P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter is, among other things, an original essay on the practice of teaching young children...Vivian Paley's innovation is her use of children's stories as a vehicle of instruction...Paley is an artist whose medium is children in the classroom. The end product of her year's work is a group of children who can live comfortably with themselves and with one another. This group of children will soon scatter. But each child will always carry a bit of Vivian Paley along with him or her, and that is the way in which a gifted teacher's art lives on.
--David Elkind (New York Times Book Review )

For those interested in...the education of the spirit, this is finally a heartening and challenging book.
--Geoff Fox (Times Educational Supplement )

A tour de force...Years from now we may know the fruit of the trees Vivian Paley and her associates have planted. It will be easy, then, to recognize her former students. When asked to recall their kindergarten experiences, they surely will begin with the words, "Once upon a time..."
--Thomas J. Cottle (Chicago Tribune )

There are many funny moments...[and] an attractive humility in Paley's work...Anyone who was once a child, and especially those who were once helicopters, will enjoy it.
--David Perkins (Kansas City Star )

Humanity, wisdom, and understanding are the words that come to mind when reading Paley's latest book. She offers a view into the world of children that is respectful of their strengths and complexity...This book shines with an authenticity that comes from the voice of the teacher, not the observer...[It] should be required reading for all those working with children of any age. They and other readers will find it an absorbing and enlightening experience.
--S. Sugarman (Choice )

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Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
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4 star:
 (2)
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review of the boy who would be a helicopter, Dec 18 2002
By 
This review is from: The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter (Paperback)
After reading, Vivian Gussin Paley's book, the boy who would be a helicopter, I found it to be a very interesting account of her experiences in teaching young children. In particular, I was really impressed by the way she engaged the children in telling their stories through acting them out, since this not only allowed the children to learn, but also Paley had the chance to learn more about the children through their stories. Of all the children, Paley was primarily focused on a boy named Jason because he was so different than the rest of her children. For example, Jason refused to play with the other children and when Paley tried to get him to join the group his typical response was his helicopter is broken at which point he would rush off to "supposedly' fix it.

What amazed me throughout the book was how Paley continued to encourage Jason to join them in their storytelling and refused to give up on him. In addition, despite Jason's differences Paley never labeled him. Quite honestly, I know teachers who would have labeled or viewed Jason as being a special needs child and wanted him out of their classroom. Yet, Paley was driven to help Jason and he eventually does make tremendous progress in her classroom. Of course, Jason's level of progress would not have occurred without Paley's patience and determination along with a positive learning environment, which sends an important message to teachers. Even at the end of the book, Paley never reveals what Jason's problem is or whether she feels he is in need of some special services. To me, I definitely recommend this book to any educator especially those who work with young children, since I think Paley has a real unique way of working with children and teachers could greatly benefit from reading about her classroom experiences.


Jeff Wagner

December 18, 2002

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4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review of the boy who would be a helicopter, Dec 18 2002
By 
This review is from: The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter (Paperback)
Book Review of the boy who would be a helicopter

After reading, Vivian Gussin Paley's book, the boy who would be a helicopter, I found it to be a very interesting account of her experiences in teaching young children. In particular, I was really impressed by the way she engaged the children in telling their stories through acting them out, since this not only allowed the children to learn, but also Paley had the chance to learn more about the children through their stories. Of all the children, Paley was primarily focused on a boy named Jason because he was so different than the rest of her children. For example, Jason refused to play with the other children and when Paley tried to get him to join the group his typical response was his helicopter is broken at which point he would rush off to "supposedly' fix it.

What amazed me throughout the book was how Paley continued to encourage Jason to join them in their storytelling and refused to give up on him. In addition, despite Jason's differences Paley never labeled him. Quite honestly, I know teachers who would have labeled or viewed Jason as being a special needs child and wanted him out of their classroom. Yet, Paley was driven to help Jason and he eventually does make tremendous progress in her classroom. Of course, Jason's level of progress would not have occurred without Paley's patience and determination along with a positive learning environment, which sends an important message to teachers. Even at the end of the book, Paley never reveals what Jason's problem is or whether she feels he is in need of some special services. To me, I definitely recommend this book to any educator especially those who work with young children, since I think Paley has a real unique way of working with children and teachers could greatly benefit from reading about her classroom experiences.


Jeff Wagner

December 18, 2002

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 4.3 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must read for anyone who loves young children!, Sep 24 1998
By MelloTempl@aol.com - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter (Hardcover)
This book reaffirmed my faith in the education of young children. I had no idea there were teachers like Ms. Paley.Ms. Paley paints a portrait of a kindergarten classroom where each child is valued for his or her own unique self. Her students are story tellers and thus are "not slow or fast" but evolve at their own speed. Paley shares her own learning through the telling of this wonderful year in her classroom. I will make it required reading for all of my child care staff.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review of the boy who would be a helicopter, Dec 18 2002
By jeff wagner - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter (Paperback)
After reading, Vivian Gussin Paley's book, the boy who would be a helicopter, I found it to be a very interesting account of her experiences in teaching young children. In particular, I was really impressed by the way she engaged the children in telling their stories through acting them out, since this not only allowed the children to learn, but also Paley had the chance to learn more about the children through their stories. Of all the children, Paley was primarily focused on a boy named Jason because he was so different than the rest of her children. For example, Jason refused to play with the other children and when Paley tried to get him to join the group his typical response was his helicopter is broken at which point he would rush off to "supposedly' fix it.

What amazed me throughout the book was how Paley continued to encourage Jason to join them in their storytelling and refused to give up on him. In addition, despite Jason's differences Paley never labeled him. Quite honestly, I know teachers who would have labeled or viewed Jason as being a special needs child and wanted him out of their classroom. Yet, Paley was driven to help Jason and he eventually does make tremendous progress in her classroom. Of course, Jason's level of progress would not have occurred without Paley's patience and determination along with a positive learning environment, which sends an important message to teachers. Even at the end of the book, Paley never reveals what Jason's problem is or whether she feels he is in need of some special services. To me, I definitely recommend this book to any educator especially those who work with young children, since I think Paley has a real unique way of working with children and teachers could greatly benefit from reading about her classroom experiences.


Jeff Wagner

December 18, 2002


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Master Teacher, Jan 26 2008
By shariana - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter (Paperback)
I believe the story relayed in this book is truly what the concept of 'no child left behind' could mean with a teacher and wisdom that honors each child for who he/she is, and meets them where they are to invite them into a larger "education". If more of our young children with different abilities could be allowed to live into their stories we might evoke happier endings for them. Vivian Paley;s insight, wisdom and ability to educe young stories has deeply inspired the foundation of my teaching.
 Go to Amazon.com to see all 9 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars 
 
 
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