Foundational to Rogers' approach is the interplay of rights and responsibilities within the school context. Any teacher who reads this book knows that Rogers is sympathetic to their profession; through personal anecdotes, gentle humour and clearheaded analysis of classroom dynamics, he aptly describes the challenges presented by a roomful of diverse and sometimes disruptive students. However, he makes crystal clear from the start that teaching is about respect and fairness. School should be a safe place for children. It is only within this relationship of rights and responsibilities that real learning can take place. Written for teacher practitioners, this text will also be of interest to teachers-in-training and some parents. I suggest that, as well as being a useful staffroom resource, this book could form the basis of more structured staff discussions around issues of discipline and behaviour management. - Janet Whitten, Australian Journal of Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties Bill Rogers has gained wide respect through his work as a consultant running in-service activities for teachers on classroom and whole-school discipline approaches. You Know the Fair Rule provides the depth of discussion and detail required to understand and implement Rogers' strategies. How many of us have consciously planned how to respond to specific disruptive behaviour, such as students calling out or farting? Through detailed and realistic descriptions and discussions of classroom situations, Rogers builds up a wide repertoire of possible teacher actions. Throughout the book, Rogers exhibits a compassionate understanding of the difficulties faced by teachers - who have 'one of the most demanding of all jobs'. This book could (and should) usefully form the basis for teacher training programs on discipline. For those of us in the classroom - from kindergarten to secondary schools - it provides practical strategies for less stressful and more effective classes (and schools) for both students and teachers. - Joy Kite, Education Quarterly Bill Rogers' You Know the Fair Rule is a very practical document; one can imagine a harassed teacher hastily consulting a relevant section before facing a difficult class. At the same time, the book is a logical text which deserves leisurely and thoughtful digestion. The writing is relaxed without being colloquial, informative without being didactic. The text is set under clear headings and often expressed in point form, clarified by use of diagrams and flow charts and enlivened by Kevin Burgemeestre's humorous line drawings. This book is, I feel, compulsory reading for all educators. - Anna Abbott, Sydney Morning Herald Rogers is no starry-eyed idealist and has obviously confronted many of the situations he describes. He is firm on the essential importance of respecting all students, no matter how unlikeable their behaviour may be, and he is actually able to define respect in operational terms. As a teacher working exclusively with 'at risk' or 'disinclined' students, I can endorse his views. The section on the need for self-esteem should be read by all teachers. - Sue Nichols, Bowden Brompton Community School The author knows what he is writing about from personal experience and is essentially practical in dealing with the problems we face in our classrooms every day. This is a most highly recommended book for all involved in teaching. Many teachers will want a personal copy but every school should have a copy in its Professional Development library if it is serious about its discipline policy.
