Fires in the Bathroom: Advice for Teachers from High School Students

by Kathleen Cushman

Book Overview

Since its initial publication in hardcover in 2003, Fires in the Bathroom has been through multiple printings and received the attention of teachers across the country. Now in paperback, Kathleen Cushman's groundbreaking book offers original insights into teaching teenagers in today's hard-pressed urban high schools from the point of view of the students themselves. It speaks to both new and established teachers, giving them firsthand information...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565849965
• ISBN13: 9781565849969
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: New Press
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Insight into students

This is a great view into the adolescent mind from adolescents. A wonderful set of voices to use when reviewing your school year or preparing for the new year. A recommendation to anyone who wants to reach students through relationships as well as rigor and relevance.

Listening to the voices of kids!

I initially read this book as a study group member. I subsequently bought 5 more copies to share with teachers. The words of wisdom from these students would benefit any first time teacher from Elementary School to High School, and would benefit any teacher who needs a reminder of what to do or not do in order to have a productive mutually respected school year!

one of the best books for new or old teachers

I was in the bookstore browsing and found this book. I've been teaching college students for over ten years, but only began teaching community college four years ago, and thus feel a bit at sea sometimes with the "high school mentality." This book contains some things that are obvious to those who have been teaching for a long time, but it's almost certain that at least one or two of the views of the kids will be helpful and will translate directly into classroom practice in a way that few books on teaching do. The insights this book provides into what highschools are like, especially for kids in large city schools, are invaluable. I was surprised to find myself already following a piece of advice I read in the book in the classroom the next day. Definetely worth reading.

Please read this book teachers!

This book ROCKS. I wish that all of my teachers would read it. High school kids are sick of being treated like second class citizens or caged animals and finally here we get some respect. Thank you Kathleen Cushman for listening to intelligent teenagers and getting their words into print.

I wish I had read this before my first year of teaching

This book was awesome! If I had read this before my first year of teaching, I would have been a much better teacher. I'm really glad I came across it in a bookstore and bought it on a whim as I entered my second year of teaching. It's a book that I know I will read again after a bad day to connected to my students' point of view. It's also a book that I plan to share with many of my colleagues. It really hepled me see things from a kids' perspective. I think it will change my teaching for the better.