Full Description
This key resource for all teachers offers must-have advice to help them navigate the entire
school year through efficient, stand-alone, easy to use chapters filled with accessible, practical
advice from veteran teachers to help make the entire school year easier.
While reading this indispensable guide, teachers will:
- Access tips efficiently through the stand-alone, easy to use chapters, filled with practical
advice from veteran teachers, which can each be read in under 3 minutes.
- Receive guidance to increase professional growth, practice self-care, and boost creative
energy in the classroom from the beginning of the school year to the end.
- Engage with practical, teacher-tested advice targeted towards effective teaching and
best practices that can be used in various situations.
- Navigate the chapters in any order, based on professional development needs and
personal and professional goals.
- Inspires discussion topics for peer mentor teacher meetings, PLC groups, book studies,
staff and department meetings, and new teacher trainings.
- Build confidence through time-tested, realistic advice to navigate anticipated challenges
and triumphs as a pre-service or veteran teachers.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Section 1: Preparing for the Start of School
Start Each Year FreshKnow Your Standards Before the School Year BeginsOpen House NightSetting Up Your RoomDon't Spend Your Check Before You Earn ItPre-School Nightmares
Section 2: Starting the School Year
Have Reasonable ExpectationsStart Them Right Into Content In an Engaging WayIce Breakers Are a Death SentenceAccessing Online Platforms Battling Cell Phones Find Out Who the Friends Are and Move Them
Section 3: Making Your Workload More Manageable
Starting the Morning Checking Email Lesson Planning Photocopies Keeping Up With the GradingBuild In Work Days The Teacher BagLeaving for the DayStay Organized and Write Everything Down
Section 4: Establishing Student Routines
Collecting Student WorkHanding Back Student Work Assigning Work Behaviors That Need Routines
Section 5: Dealing With Administration
Don't Panic When They Call (Or Email)Informal Walk-ThroughsFormal Evaluations
Section 6: Communicating With Students, Parents, and Administration
Answering Emails Calling Home Using Mass-Text Alert Systems Parent Conferences
Section 7: Optimizing Interpersonal Skills
Treat Your Students Like Rational Humans Keep the Rules Simple The Chronically Absent The Loud Kids The Mean Kids Choose Your Battles
Section 8: Thriving as an Educator
Choosing Your Work TribeDeciding Where You Eat LunchKnow What You Can (and Cannot) ControlUsing Your Time On Teacher Workdays Ditch the Red PenWhat You Wear Matters Good Teachers Are Always Students Don't Let the Data Scare You Polish Your Dragon Scales
Section 9: Increasing Student Engagement and Learning
Back to the Basics Get em' Movin'Show Students the Work Means Something Make It Yourself Student Choice Let Your Kids Struggle Holy Sh*% We Ended Early, Now What?
Section 10: Incorporating Reading and Writing
Reading Isn't Just for English ClassGet Them Writing
Section 11: Crossing the Digital Divide
Incorporating Technology Let YouTube HelpKeep it PG
Section 12: Creating and Maintaining Your Work-Life Balance
Know Your LimitsAllow Yourself Time to Recharge Know Your Contract Censor Your Social Media Don't Overshare With Your Students
Section 13: Ending the School Year
Don't Just Shove It All In a Box. Have the Kids HelpCelebrate What Worked Financially Surviving the Summer
