Kindergarten

A Teacher, Her Students, and a Year of Learning

With a foreword by Jules Feiffer

In the tradition of Tracy Kidder’s Among Schoolchildren, a beautifully written book that captures the wonder of the kindergarten year—essential reading for parents and teachers alike

“As a classroom insider, Diamond pulls back the curtain and allows parents and others a view of how an effective classroom actually works.” —Library Journal

Hailed by renowned educator Deborah Meier as “a special pleasure to read,” Kindergarten explores a year in the life of a kindergarten classroom through the eyes of the gifted veteran teacher and author Julie Diamond.

In this lyrical, beautifully written first-person account, Diamond explains the logic behind the routines and rituals children need to thrive. As she guides us through all aspects of classroom life—the organization, curriculum, and relationships that create a unique class environment—we begin to understand what kindergarten can and should be: a culture that builds children’s desire to understand the world and lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Kindergarten makes a compelling case for an expansive definition of teaching and learning, one that supports academic achievement without sacrificing students’ curiosity, creativity, or development of social values.

Written for parents and teachers alike, Kindergarten offers a rare glimpse into what’s really going on behind the apparent chaos of a busy kindergarten classroom, sharing much-needed insights into how our children can have the best possible early school experiences.

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Praise

“As a classroom insider, Diamond pulls back the curtain and allows parents and others a view of how an effective classroom actually works.”
—Library Journal
“Highly informative.”
—Publishers Weekly
“[A] reaffirmation of the crucial role teachers can play in the development of children.”
—Herbet Kohl, author of 36 Children and “I Won’t Learn from You”
“[Diamond] has captured the world of the class—at times chaotic, always busy, usually inspired.”
—Los Angeles Times
“A source of inspiration.”
—Vivian Paley, author of The Boy on the Beach
“Diamond’s book is an extraordinary resource for parents and teachers at all stages. It is honest and masterful, engrossing and unique. And it is utterly real.”
—Ruth S. Charney, co-founder of Northeast Foundation for Children and author of Teaching Children to Care

Goodreads Reviews