Summary
Contents
“This resource is extremely timely and well thought out. Wouldn't it be great if all principals gave their new hires this book along with their classroom keys?”
—Andrea Ziembia, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Morton Elementary School, Hammond, IN
“An indispensable companion for any new teacher, this book gives excellent advice for avoiding many hurdles and pitfalls and focusing on what's importantbecoming outstanding teachers of young children.”
—Carol A. Tateishi, Director
Bay Area Writing Project, University of California at Berkeley
“The book's lists, charts, tables, diagrams, and the narrative are amazingly helpful and insightful. This is more than a survival book; it is inspirational and affirming.”
—Mary Ann Sinkkonen, Assistant Professor
Dominican University of California
Everything a new elementary teacher needs for getting started is right here!
This comprehensive guide from veteran educators gives first-year teachers a multitude of classroom-tested strategies for those critical first days of school. Written in a reassuring tone, this authoritative handbook walks you through setting up your classroom, managing behavior, planning lessons, assessing students' performance, and partnering with families. Thoroughly updated to meet the needs of today's classrooms, this new edition includes the latest tips on:
Teaching with technology; Differentiating instruction for students from diverse backgrounds, including English Language Learners; Preparing effective standards-based lessons; Achieving professional growth through job-embedded professional development
Teachers will find resources, samples, templates, homework contracts, strategies, checklists, and proven solutions to everyday challenges. Rest assured that you are not alone, and you will succeed!
Chapter 1: You are not Alone
You are not Alone
Welcome to the teaching profession! Often named the noblest of all professions, teaching is certainly among the most important jobs in the world. No one can doubt that teachers have broad, long-lasting impact on the lives of children. A deeper purpose, a larger vision of service motivates most new teachers—not money or prestige (though both should be greater!). The work is indeed rewarding. Nothing quite compares to a student's face lighting up to learning, or having a student you taught years ago come back to visit you in your classroom. Teaching is about facilitating learning, growing, and developing. Teaching provides you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children as they acquire the skills and ...
