Not your typical how-to manual for new teachers, this no-nonsense, jargon-free guide offers a wide variety of tools and tactics for getting through every school day with grace and sanity. Covered in glue, glitter, orange juice—or worse? Make a quick change into the spare set of clothes you keep on hand for just this purpose. Butterflies in your stomach before your first-ever Meet the Teacher Night? Keep your cool by writing the agenda on your board—it’ll double as a crib sheet for you. These tips and hundreds more, covering virtually every aspect of teaching, have all been learned the hard way: from real-life classroom experience. Otis Kriegel’s “little black book” will be a treasured resource for teachers who want not only to survive but to thrive in any situation.
Teaching is a lifelong challenge, but the first few years in the classroom are typically a teacher's hardest. This expanded collection of writings and reflections offers practical guidance on how to navigate the school system, form rewarding relationships with colleagues, and connect in meaningful ways with students and families from all cultures and backgrounds.
This book provides advice intended to empower new teachers with the tools necessary to feel prepared, confident, and comfortable and to succeed, maintain enthusiasm, and remain committed to teaching. Among the numerous strategies and survival skills it promotes are time and stress management, effective organization, quality lesson plans, and professional development. Nine chapters focus on: (1) "You are Not Alone" (e.g., fitting in and establishing relationships); (2) "Organizing Your Classroom and Yourself" (e.g, setting up the classroom and finding time and balance in one's personal and professional life); (3) "Learner-Friendly Classroom Management" (e.g., routines and increasing efficiency with classroom monitors); (4) "Preparing Lesson Plans and Units that Engage Students" (e.g., basic instructional approaches and time on task); (5) "Preventing Discipline Problems" (e.g., motivating students and increasing positive interactions); (6) "Assessing Student Learning and Performance" (e.g., classroom assessment programs and tips for assessing learning); (7) "Developing Partnerships with Parents" (e.g., parent conferences and back-to-school night); (8) "Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)" (e.g., entire class misbehaving and student apathy); and (9) "Your Own Professional Development" (e.g., reflecting on practice and teaching portfolios). (Contains 39 references.) (SM).
This book is a practical, highly readable guide to teaching writing across a broad range of ages and grade levels (K-8). Each stage of the writing process is covered in detail, from setting a purpose for writing to drafting, revising, editing, and producing a "finished" product. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of writing development and best practices in teaching, richly illustrated with examples of student work. Teachers learn strategies and techniques to help students work independently and in groups to develop meaningful projects; master needed skills through engaging mini-lessons; produce various forms of fiction and nonfiction writing; and use literature as a source of inspiration and modeling. Special features include "Teacher's Tips" and quick-reference lists that reinforce key points and aid in instructional planning. An invaluable Appendix provides booklists for mini-lessons on a variety of thematic, stylistic, and grammatical topics.
If you are training to teach, The Trainee Teacher’s Handbook is your essential training tool. "This is exactly the book I needed when I was a trainee. It′s full of practical advice, it offers great suggestions for reflection and it gives you lots of ideas for developing as a teacher." Sue Cowley, Author and Educator This book helps you to build skills and focus on developing your professional practice through understanding, reflection and experimentation. Its practical structure and learning features help you to recognise your own learning needs and set your own targets. This new edition has been updated to include: - A new chapter curriculum design, including decolonising the curriculum - A new chapter on What they don’t teach you in training - More support on metal health and wellbeing
Elementary school provides foundational development and education for students, and there is much that a new teacher must consider when taking on the responsibility of shaping young minds. In The New Elementary Teacher’s Handbook, veteran educators give first-year teachers a multitude of classroom-tested strategies for those critical first days of school. New teachers need just as much guidance as students in order for everyone to come away with a valuable learning experience. This authoritative handbook gives teachers practical and thorough instruction on: · Organizing the classroom and preparing engaging and effective lesson plans · Teaching using technology and the Internet · Dealing with difficult parents and conducting conferences · Motivating students and increasing positive interactions · Balancing personal and professional matters With resources, samples, templates, homework contracts, strategies, checklists, and proven solutions to everyday challenges, this book shows teachers how to turn their plans into effective strategies in the classroom. Rest assured that you are not alone, and you will succeed!
The Itinerant Teacher's Handbook (2nd ed.), provides indispensable information for new and experienced itinerant teachers alike. This is a practical guide to accomplishing a two-fold mission: teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing the knowledge and skills they need to become successful adults and helping others effectively interact with these students. The text also includes interviews highlighting the real-world experiences of itinerant teachers, as well as general education teachers, parents, and more. This book provides in depth information on how to support students with hearing loss in the role of an itinerant teacher. Beneficial to university training programs, to support new hires, and define the structure of itinerant teacher services in school districts.
A comprehensive guide for integrating educational technology in the K-12 classroom This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best use of available technologies. Written by Doug Johnson, an expert in educational technology, The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide is replete with practical tips teachers can easily use to engage their students and make their classrooms places where both students and teachers will enjoy learning. Covers the most up-to-date technologies and how they can best be used in the classroom Includes advice on upgrading time-tested educational strategies using technology Talks about managing "disruptive technologies" in the classroom Includes a wealth of illustrative examples, helpful suggestions, and practical tips This timely book provides a commonsense approach to choosing and using educational technology to enhance learning.
By reading The New Science Teacher's Handbook, you will learn 12 specific steps that will help you on your way to becoming a skilled classroom teacher. The authors make each chapter both helpful and fun to read by including: The Story-actual experiences that happened within one of the authors' classrooms. As the authors note, these true stories demonstrate that even those who go on to write books on best practices in the classroom didn't start off as perfect educators; The Moral-what the authors learned from the story; Steps for Success-multiple solutions you can choose from to fit your concer.--Page [4] of cover.
Make formative assessment work for you—and your math students! Finally, formative assessment that adds up! Bringing Math Students Into the Formative Assessment Equation is the ultimate resource for helping teachers implement formative assessment in the middle school mathematics classroom. And it’s much more than that. With this research-based, teacher-tested guide, you won’t just learn effective teaching strategies—you’ll turn your students into self-regulated learners. They’ll monitor and assess their own progress—and communicate to you about it! Features include: A clear and manageable six-aspect instructional model Detailed strategies for helping students own their successes Real-life examples from middle school mathematics teachers Useful resources and a companion website to help you implement formative assessment in your classroom Formative assessment isn’t just for teachers anymore. With the help of this essential resource, you’ll work together with your students toward a common goal of math success. "This book is outstanding. I would recommend it to any math educator. The depth of research integrated into practice is extensive and, as a result, it is the most practical book I have come across related to formative assessment and mathematics The self-regulation aspects, as well as the ownership and involvement emphasized in the book, went beyond the traditional cognitive strategies endorsed in most books." Marc Simmons, Principal Ilwaco Middle School, Ocean Beach School District, Long Beach, WA "The ideas in this book are brought to life with examples of teachers and students in the classroom. The teacher voices, comments, and quotes lend credibility and are a big component of the book’s strengths as well as the visuals and graphics." Rita Tellez, Math Coordinator Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX
