Summary
Real Solutions and Advice from the Teaching TrenchesMany begin teaching because of a desire to make a difference. But faced with everyday challenges of the classroom, this idealism is often lost. The fact is, teaching is not easy. While there are many personal rewards, teachers must satisfy many constituencies, including students, parents, and administrators. But by being prepared and organized, you can ensure that your first year is fulfilling and productive for both you and your students."Your First Year as an Elementary School Teacher provides practical solutions to the most common and difficult issues of teaching. Inside is everything you need to know to create an atmosphere of cooperation, learning, and respect within your classroom. Use this helpful book as your mentor and enjoy your first year as a teacher.Have a successful first year by knowing how to: -Reach, teach, and have fun with your students -Create an interesting and interactive classroom environment -Manage and find new ways to help difficult students -Develop positive relationships with parents and administrators -Organize your day to stay on top of the curriculum and grading -Develop effective and engaging lesson plans "This complete book is the first thing principals should hand to their new teachers. It has it all!-- Angela Kleinberg, reading specialist, Washington School
Author Biography
<b>Lynne Rominger</b> is a teacher and freelance writer. An accomplished journalist, she lives in Roseville, California. <br><b>Karen Heisinger,</b> a former elementry school teacher and vice principal, is the director of the Placer-Nevada Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Consortium in Auburn, California, where she lives with her husband and two children. <br><b>Natalie Elkin</b> is a high school teacher with a psychology background who also has experience as a middle school teacher. She resides in Sacramento, California.
Table of Contents
| Acknowledgments |
|
ix | |
| Introduction |
|
xiii | |
| Part One: Welcome to the Profession |
|
1 | (72) |
|
Professional Expectations |
|
|
3 | (14) |
|
|
|
17 | (12) |
|
Back to School: Your Site's Expectations |
|
|
29 | (14) |
|
School Procedures, Policies, and Schedules |
|
|
43 | (13) |
|
Preparing for Absences from Your Classroom |
|
|
56 | (17) |
| Part Two: Setting Up Your Classroom |
|
73 | (32) |
|
Your Home Away from Home---Your Classroom |
|
|
75 | (16) |
|
Gathering Materials: Beg, Borrow, and Steal |
|
|
91 | (14) |
| Part Three: Effective Lesson Planning |
|
105 | (92) |
|
Organizing the Curriculum |
|
|
107 | (14) |
|
|
|
121 | (23) |
|
Long-and Short-Range Plans |
|
|
144 | (12) |
|
|
|
156 | (18) |
|
|
|
174 | (23) |
| Part Four: Classroom Management |
|
197 | (40) |
|
Classroom Rules and Responsibilities |
|
|
199 | (23) |
|
|
|
222 | (15) |
| Part Five: Grading, Assessing, and Homework |
|
237 | (32) |
|
|
|
239 | (20) |
|
|
|
259 | (10) |
| Part Six: Communication |
|
269 | (50) |
|
Communicating with Parents |
|
|
271 | (27) |
|
Communicating with Faculty |
|
|
298 | (9) |
|
Communicating with Administration |
|
|
307 | (12) |
| Part Seven: Odds and Ends |
|
319 | (42) |
|
On Display: Classroom Observations |
|
|
321 | (13) |
|
The First Two Weeks of School |
|
|
334 | (20) |
|
Teacher Associations/Unions: To Join or Not to Join |
|
|
354 | (7) |
| Appendices |
|
361 | (10) |
| Index |
|
371 | |