The First-Year Teacher′s Survival Guide (3^rd Ed.)
Ready-to-Use Strategies, Tools and Activities for Meeting the Challenges of Each School Day
J–B Ed: Survival Guides Series

Thoroughly revised edition of the bestselling resource for new teachers This award–winning book gives beginning educators everything they need to survive and thrive in the classroom. The third edition covers new material including working as a part of a professional learning community (PLC), teaching media literacy and social responsibility, incorporating Common Core State Standards, handling "homework push–back" from parents, changes in classroom technology, techniques for motivating students, seeking feedback, and much more. A fully revised edition of a trusted resource, offering solutions to challenges and typical scenarios encountered by new teachers Bonus CD features downloadable versions of the book′s checklists, forms, worksheets, and self–assessments Includes Discussion Questions and a handy training guide for Professional Development providers This popular resource offers teachers an essential guide for knowing what to expect when they begin their career and ideas for solving classroom problems.

I. Assume Your Professional Responsibilities Section One: Know What It Means to Be a Twenty–First–Century Educator , 1 Section Two: Develop the Practical Skills You&rsquo,ll Need to Manage a Classroom 35 Section Three: Collaborate with Others in Your School and Community 73 II. Establish a Learning Community Section Four: Begin a Successful School Term , 107 Section Five: Develop Positive Classroom Relationships 139 III. Promote Student Achievement Section Six: Control Class Time , 175 Section Seven: Manage Your Classroom , 201 Section Eight: Motivate Students to Succeed , 221 IV. Design and Deliver Effective Instruction Section Nine: Choose Appropriate Instructional Strategies and Resources , 259 Section Ten: Design Effective Instruction , 279 Section Eleven: Deliver Engaging Instruction , 303 Section Twelve: Meet the Needs of All of Your Students , 331 Section Thirteen: Assess Your Students&rsquo, Progress , 365 Section Fourteen: Level the Playing Field by Covering Basic Skills , 401 V. Maintain an Orderly Environment Section Fifteen: Prevent Discipline Problems , 427 Section Sixteen: Manage Discipline Problems , 447 Section Seventeen: Learn to Solve Classroom Problems , 483 DVD Contents , xv About the Author , xix Acknowledgments , xxi About This Survival Guide xxiii I Assume Your Professional Responsibilities Section One: Know What It Means to Be a Twenty–First–Century Educator , 1 The Challenges of Our Changing Profession , 2 You Can Manage Your Professional Challenges Successfully 3 Professionalism: The Powerful Force Underlying Everything We Do , 4 Your Professional Responsibilities , 5 Developing a Refl ective Practice , 9 Teacher Worksheet 11: Template for Professional Self–Refl ection , 11 Teacher Worksheet 12: Characteristics of Successful Teachers , 12 Teacher Worksheet 13: Learning from Exemplary Teachers , 13 Learning from Role Models and Mentors , 14 Seeking Feedback on Your Professional Performance , 15 Teacher Worksheet 14: Making the Most of Peer Observations , 16 Using the Evaluation Process to Improve Your Teaching Skills , 17 Teacher Worksheet 15: How Observers Will Evaluate You , 19 Teacher Worksheet 16: Data Tracking Sheet , 22 Maintaining Sustained Professional Growth , 25 Teacher Worksheet 17: Are You in Charge of Your Career? , 26 Teacher Worksheet 18: Track Your Professional Goals , 30 Learning to Manage Your Stress , 31 Best Practices Checklist , 32 Time to Reflect: What It Means to Be a Twenty–First–Century Educator , 33 Section Two: Develop the Practical Skills You&rsquo,ll Need to Manage a Classroom , 35 Arrange Your Own Work Area , 35 Become an Efficient Teacher , 42 Teacher Worksheet 21: Meet Your Classroom Priorities , 44 Teacher Worksheet 22: Teacher&rsquo,s Daily To–Do List , 47 Teacher Worksheet 23: Checklist of a Teacher&rsquo,s Weekly Reminders , 49 General Tips for Managing School Papers , 50 How to Organize and Manage Student Information 53 How to Grade Papers Quickly , 54 Tips for Managing Electronic Files , 56 Tips for Managing E–Mail , 56 How to Maintain Your Class Web Page , 57 How to Save Paper , 58 Optimize Your Use of the Photocopier , 59 Prepare Your Classroom for Students , 59 How to Protect School Resources , 66 How to Request Repairs , 67 Classroom Safety Issues , 67 Best Practices Checklist , 70 Time to Refl ect: Develop the Practical Skills You&rsquo,ll Need to Manage a Classroom , 71 Section Three: Collaborate with Others in Your School and Community , 73 Your School Community: A Network of Teams 73 Communities of Practice , 74 Where Do You Fit in as a New Teacher? , 75 Building Trust: The Importance of a Reputation for Integrity , 76 Strategies for Effective Collaboration , 77 Social Media Guidelines , 80 The Importance of Perfect Attendance , 81 The Support Staff , 82 The Chain of Command , 82 Collaborate Successfully with Administrators , 83 Working Well with Parents and Guardians , 84 What Parents and Guardians Expect from You , 85 Prevent Miscommunication with a Transparent Classroom , 86 Teacher Worksheet 31: How Effective Are You at Creating a Transparent Classroom? , 89 The Importance of Keeping Contact Records , 90 Teacher Worksheet 32: Contact Documentation Form , 91 Be Positive with Parents and Guardians , 92 Take Care to Interact Professionally , 93 Class Newsletters , 96 Conduct Successful Conferences with Parents and Guardians , 97 Best Practices Checklist 104 Time to Reflect: Collaborate with Others in Your School and Community 104 II. Establish a Learning Community Section Four: Begin a Successful School Term , 107 The First Day Is Important 107 Overcome Those First–Day Jitters 108 What to Do on the First Day: Your Priorities 109 First–Day–of–School Welcome Packet 111 Parent or Guardian Worksheet 41: Inventory: Please Tell Me About Your Child 113 Activities for the First Day 115 Teacher Worksheet 41: Planning Template for the First Day of School 117 Teacher Worksheet 42: Checklist for the First Day 119 Student Information Records 120 Student Worksheet 41: Student Information Form 121 Learn Your Students&rsquo, Names Quickly 123 How to Get to Know Your Students 123 Student Worksheet 42: Inventory for Elementary Students 127 Student Worksheet 43: Inventory for Middle School Students 129 Student Worksheet 44: Inventory for High School Students 131 Create a Positive Group Identity 133 What You Can Expect During the First Week 135 Mistakes to Avoid at the Start of School 136 Best Practices Checklist 137 Time to Refl ect: Begin a Successful School Term 138 Section Five: Develop Positive Classroom Relationships , 139 Develop a Positive Relationship with Students 139 Teacher Worksheet 51: How Appropriate Are Your Relationships with Students? 142 Teacher Worksheet 52: Are You a Good Role Model? 149 Help Students Learn to Relate Well to Each Other 157 Teacher Worksheet 53: Checklist of Social Skills All Students Should Master 167 Best Practices Checklist 173 Time to Reflect: Develop Positive Classroom Relationships 174 III. Promote Student Achievement Section Six: Control Class Time , 175 You Control the Time Your Students Have with You 175 How Teachers Waste Time 176 Teacher Worksheet 61: How Well Do You Use Class Time? 177 Principles of Effective Classroom Time Management 179 Raise Your Students&rsquo, Awareness of Class Time 180 How to Handle Interruptions 181 Pacing Instruction 182 The First Ten Minutes of Class 183 Teacher Worksheet 62: Plans for Starting Class Effectively 186 Productive Transitions 187 How to Handle Requests to Leave the Classroom 191 Teacher Worksheet 63: Student Sign–Out Sheet 195 The Last Ten Minutes of Class 196 Teacher Worksheet 64: Plans for Ending Class Effectively 198 How to Use Any Time Left at the End of Class 199 Best Practices Checklist 199 Time to Reflect: Control Class Time 200 Section Seven: Manage Your Classroom , 201 A Well–Managed Classroom 201 How to Focus Your Class on Good Behavior 202 The Importance of Clear Expectations 203 Procedures, Policies, Rules: When to Apply Each One 203 Policies You Will Need to Develop 204 Teacher Worksheet 71: Planning for Classroom Policies 205 Establish Procedures 209 Teacher Worksheet 72: Where to Find Help with Establishing Procedures 210 Suggestions for Establishing Three Necessary Procedures 211 Teach and Enforce School Rules 212 Creating Classroom Rules 213 Teacher Worksheet 73: Checklist to Determine If Your Rules Will Be Successful 215 Teaching Classroom Rules 216 Enforcing Classroom Rules 217 Enlisting Student Support for Class Rules 218 Positive or Negative Consequences? 218 Best Practices Checklist 219 Time to Reflect: Manage Your Classroom 219 Section Eight: Motivate Students to Succeed , 221 The Self–Fulfilling Prophecy 221 Be Positive If You Want Positive Results 222 Lay a Solid Foundation 223 Motivate Your Students with a Variety of Methods 223 Extrinsic Motivation 226 Make Sure Intrinsic Motivation Is a Classroom Constant 228 Make Success Attainable 231 Teach Your Students to Follow Directions 232 Purposeful Learning 235 Teacher Worksheet 81: Assignment Checklist 237 Take a Goal–Oriented Approach to Learning 238 Student Worksheet 81: Setting and Achieving SMART Goals 239 Make Success Visible 241 Teach Students to Track Their Own Mastery of Material 241 Student Worksheet 82: Progress Tracking Chart 243 How to Survive the Homework Debate 244 Teacher Worksheet 82: Plan Successful Homework Assignments 248 Student Worksheet 83: Missing Homework Explanation Form 252 Student Worksheet 84: Class Log Page 256 Best Practices Checklist 257 Time to Reflect: Motivate Students to Succeed 257 IV. Design and Deliver Effective Instruction Section Nine: Choose Appropriate Instructional Strategies and Resources , 259 Take Advantage of the Advances in Educational Research 259 Why Small, Strategic Steps Are the Keys to Success 260 Overview of Just a Few of the Instructional Options Teachers Have 260 Classroom Technology Resources to Aid Your Instructional Practices 267 Useful Web Sites for Educators 273 &ldquo,There&rsquo,s an App for That!&rdquo, 274 Best Practices Checklist 275 Time to Reflect: Choose Appropriate Instructional Strategies and Resources 276 Section Ten: Design Effective Instruction , 279 The Benefits of Careful Planning 279 Backward Design: Think Big, but Start Small 280 Cover the Curriculum or Teach Your Students? 280 How Prepared Should You Be? 281 Common Planning Problems 281 How to Find the Time to Plan 282 Your State&rsquo,s Standards 283 The Common Core State Standards Initiative 283 Assess Your Students&rsquo, Prior Knowledge285 How to Begin Planning Instruction 286 Teacher Worksheet 101: Format for a Course Overview 288 Teacher Worksheet 102: Format for a Unit Plan 290 What to Include in Your Plans 291 Teacher Worksheet 103: Easy–to–Use Format for Daily Lesson Plans 294 Successful Learning for Nontraditional Schedules 295 How to Adjust a Lesson 296 Always Have a Backup Plan 296 Free Online Resources for Lesson Plans 298 Best Practices Checklist 300 Time to Reflect: Design Effective Instruction 301 Section Eleven: Deliver Engaging Instruction , 303 Guidelines for Improving Your Classroom Charisma 303 Pitfalls That Plague Too Many Teachers 304 Improve Your Oral Presentations 305 How to Make a Point Students Will Remember 310 How to Help Students Stay on Track During a Lecture 311 Conduct Class Discussions That Engage Every Student 312 The Power of Play: Using Toys to Capture Attention 314 Games Your Students Will Enjoy 315 Use Graphic Organizers to Engage Students 318 Two Simple Techniques: Learning Cubes and Colored Dot Labels 320 Providing Models, Examples, and Samples 326 How to Make Seatwork Appealing327 Best Practices Checklist 328 Time to Reflect: Deliver Engaging Instruction 328 Section Twelve: Meet the Needs of All of Your Students , 331 Differentiated Instruction to Support All Learners 331 Teacher Worksheet 121: Individualized Instruction Worksheet 335 Teacher Worksheet 122: A Planning Tool for Differentiation 338 Students Who May Need Special Care 346 Best Practices Checklist 362 Time to Reflect: Meet the Needs of All of Your Students 363 Section Thirteen: Assess Your Students&rsquo, Progress , 365 Data–Driven Instruction: Summative and Formative Assessments 365 How to Use Formative Assessments 366 Teacher Worksheet 131: Tracking Formative Assessment Data 368 Student Worksheet 131: Assignment Refl ection 376 The Two Most Common Written Assessments: Tests and Quizzes 377 Create Useful Objective Questions 379 How to Grade Objective Questions Quickly 381 Conduct Rules for Quizzes and Tests 381 What to Do If Many of Your Students Fail a Test or Quiz 382 Types of Authentic Assessments 383 Keeping Track of Grades 388 Student Worksheet 132: Grade Tracking Form for Student Success 391 How to Personalize a Grade Report 392 What You Should Do When Students Challenge Grades 392 What to Do When You Suspect a Student of Cheating 393 How to Manage Cyber Cheating 393 Extra Credit Dilemmas and Solutions 395 Success with Standardized Tests 395 Best Practices Checklist 399 Time to Reflect: Assess Your Students&rsquo, Progress 399 Section Fourteen: Level the Playing Field by Covering Basic Skills , 401 Media Literacy Skills 402 Listening Skills 404 Speaking Skills405 Writing Skills 406 Vocabulary Acquisition Skills 407 Critical Thinking Skills 412 Reading Skills 417 Best Practices Checklist 424 Time to Reflect: Level the Playing Field by Covering Basic Skills 425 V. Maintain an Orderly Environment Section Fifteen: Prevent Discipline Problems , 427 Punishment Is Not the Way to Prevent Problems 427 Self–Discipline Is the Key 428 Be Aware of the Causes of Most Discipline Problems 429 Easily Avoidable Mistakes Many Teachers Make 429 Teacher Worksheet 151: How Effective Are You at Preventing Discipline Problems? 431 Your Role in Preventing Discipline Problems 432 Teacher Worksheet 152: Preventing or Minimizing Discipline Problems 433 Be Positive: Nothing Creates Success Like Success 434 Become a Consistent Teacher 434 Become a Fair Teacher 435 Withitness: One of the Most Valuable Prevention Techniques 436 Teacher Worksheet 153: What Is Your Level of Withitness? 437 A Crucial Step in Preventing Discipline Problems: Monitoring 438 How Students Can Get Help Quickly 439 Earn Your Students&rsquo, Respect 440 An Unexpected Tip: Be a Good Listener 440 Early Intervention Strategies 441 When You Should Act 442 Harness the Power of Positive Peer Pressure 443 Best Practices Checklist 444 Time to Reflect: Prevent Discipline Problems 444 Section Sixteen: Manage Discipline Problems , 447 Myths About Discipline 448 Control Your Anxiety with Proactive Strategies 448 Behaviors You Should Not Accept 449 What Do Your Supervisors Expect from You? 451 Respond Instead of Just Reacting 451 Teacher Worksheet 161: Classroom Management Techniques to Avoid 454 How to Avoid a Lawsuit: A Teacher&rsquo,s Legal Responsibilities 455 Teacher Worksheet 162: Behavior Incident Report 458 Due Process Procedures 459 Cultivate Grace Under Pressure 459 Great Advice: Don&rsquo,t Take It Personally 460 You May Be the Troublemaker461 Think Before You Act 462 Don&rsquo,t Give Up on Your Diffi cult Students 463 How to Deal with a Diffi cult Class 463 How to Cope with a Student&rsquo,s Chronic Misbehavior 465 How to Hold Successful Conferences with Students Who Have Misbehaved 465 Put Detentions to Good Use 467 Manage Referrals to an Administrator with Confi dence 469 Handling Four Common Types of Student Misbehavior472 Best Practices Checklist 480 Time to Reflect: Manage Discipline Problems 481 Section Seventeen: Learn to Solve Classroom Problems , 483 Questions to Consider When You Are Trying to Solve Classroom Problems 484 Take a Problem–Solving Approach 484 Teacher Worksheet 171: Work Through Classroom Problems 486 Problems Associated with Individual Students 487 Problems Associated with Enforcing School Policies or Rules 493 Problems Associated with Behavior During Instruction 497 Problems Associated with Students&rsquo, Relationship with Their Teacher 501 Best Practices Checklist 503 Time to Reflect: Learn to Solve Classroom Problems 504 A Final Word , 505 Index , 507 How to Use the DVD , 529

Classroom teachers in their first five years of teaching; pre–service educators; staff developers; experienced teachers looking for a refresher in the basics of classroom/time management.