Secrets to Success for Beginning Elementary School Teachers.

Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- About the Authors -- Chapter 1 - Learning Your Way around the School -- Orient Yourself -- Make Friends with the Secretaries and Assistants -- Learn the Policies and Regulations -- Preview the Daily and Weekly Schedules -- Meet Your Grade Level Colleagues -- Inspect Your Classroom -- Introduce Yourself to the Custodians -- Familiarize Yourself with Safety -- Investigate Your School's Traditions -- Acquaint Yourself with the School's History -- Introduce Yourself to Others -- Take a Breath . . . -- Chapter 2 - Organizing Your Classroom -- Survey Your Space -- Establish Placement and Movement -- Arrange Learning Stations and Centers -- Consider Whiteboards and Bulletin Boards -- Check Equipment and Storage -- Locate Materials and Supplies -- Color Code Materials and Equipment -- Post Schedules and Procedures -- Position Baskets, Files, and Mailboxes -- Set up Your Desk -- Gather First-Aid Supplies -- Create an Inviting Sense of Place . . . -- Chapter 3 - Knowing Your Students -- Get Your Class List -- Send a Welcoming Postcard -- Gather Student Information -- Establish a Shared Learning Community -- Learn Your Students' Cultural Backgrounds -- Focus on Gender Equity -- Explore Your Students' Learning Styles -- Address Multiple Intelligences -- Investigate Students' Needs and Special Services -- Identify Gifted and Talented Students -- Learn More as the Year Progresses -- Construct a School Supply List -- Prepare to Welcome Your Students -- Get Ready to Have Fun . . . -- Chapter 4 - Beginning and Ending School on the First Day -- Meet Your Students as They Arrive -- Take Your Students to Their New Classroom -- Help Your Students Move in -- Use Nametags to Learn Names -- Show Students around the Classroom and School -- Make Introductions -- Try Not to Do Too Much Too Soon.

Establish Procedures and Expectations -- Organize Classroom Helpers -- Introduce the Daily Schedule -- Give Students a Meaningful Activity -- Prepare a First Day Letter to Parents -- Review the Day before Going Home -- Look Forward to the Next Day . . . -- Chapter 5 - Developing Meaningful Curriculum -- Understand Key Concepts -- Clarify Goals and Objectives -- Follow a Curriculum Checklist to Fit Context -- Review National Standards and Purposes -- Access State Academic Expectations -- Learn School District Scope and Sequence -- Consider Your School's Mission -- Design a Yearlong Plan -- Think about Content and Skills -- Align Curriculum with Instruction and Assessment -- Match the Curriculum to Your Students -- Take Time to Reflect, Evaluate, and Revise . . . -- Chapter 6 - Planning Instruction and Assessment -- Select a Lesson Plan Format -- Consider Your Students' Needs -- Analyze Your Teaching Style -- Begin with Objectives and Assessments -- Provide Authentic and Alternative Assessments -- Develop Scoring Rubrics -- Give Students Choices in Expression -- Decide When to Use Assessments -- Benefit from Standardized Testing -- Use a Variety of Teaching Strategies -- Determine Individual, Partner, and Group Activities -- Let Students Teach One Another -- Allocate Time to Plan and Prepare -- Keep Students Actively Engaged . . . -- Chapter 7 - Establishing Routines and Management -- Familiarize Students with School Facilities -- Demonstrate Uses of Classroom Features -- Show Students How to Access Materials -- Stay Positive and Patient -- Explain School Discipline Policies -- Decide Classroom Procedures Collaboratively -- Discuss Consequences -- Reinforce Frequently -- Discipline Fairly -- Build Community with Class Meetings -- Model Genuine Care and Concern -- Be Sure the Classroom is a Shared Space . . . -- Chapter 8 - Valuing Cultural Diversity.

Become Acquainted with Families -- Understand That Every Child is Unique and Special -- Recognize Your Own Cultural Characteristics -- Learn to Accept Similarities and Differences -- Take Time to Incorporate Multicultural Education -- Visit the Area around Your School -- Meet Multicultural Educational Goals -- Be Aware of Gender Bias -- Notice Teaching Zones of Proximity -- Observe Grouping and Discipline Patterns -- Encourage all Children to Respect all Children -- Strive for Equity and Excellence for all Children -- Make Certain Everyone Feels Safe and Welcome . . . -- Chapter 9 - Using Instructional Technology -- Understand the Content of Technology -- Apply the Processes of Technology -- Appreciate the Context of Technology -- Take a Technology Inventory -- Get to Know Technology Standards -- Plan Your Uses of Instructional Technology -- Identify Learning Outcomes -- Guide Students in Gaining Information -- Express Learning Technologically -- Beware of the Digital Divide -- Increase Your Administrative Efficiency -- Advance Your Knowledge and Abilities -- Let Technology be Your Friend . . . -- Chapter 10 - Developing as a Professional -- Dress for Success -- Use Clothing as a Teaching Tool -- Tune in to the Weather -- Remember You are a Role Model -- Know Your Community -- Select Your Words and Actions Mindfully -- Consider Various Lunch Locations -- Cultivate Your Associations Wisely -- Maintain Confidentialities -- Keep and Prepare for Appointments -- Attend to Personal Matters Outside of School -- Strive for Professionalism Everywhere . . . -- Chapter 11 - Connecting with Students -- Implement Ongoing Classroom Management -- Be Visible and Available to all Students -- Listen More and Talk Less -- Serve as Mediator Rather Than Problem Solver -- Ask Students to Write and Draw -- Treat all Students with Fairness and Respect.

Understand Student Development -- Be Aware of Attention Deficits -- Avoid Direct Confrontation -- Use a Contract System -- Contact Specialists for Assistance -- Seek Ways to Ensure Success . . . -- Chapter 12 - Communicating with Parents -- Smile and Welcome Parents -- Be Available for Parents before and After School -- Call Every Parent with Good News and Often -- Prepare Early for Open House -- Ask for and Appreciate Parent Volunteers -- Attend Parent-Teacher Organization Meetings -- Send Progress Reports Regularly -- Write Thank-You Notes Promptly -- Plan for Parent Conferences -- Contact Parents Immediately When Concerns Arise -- Understand Limited Responses from Parents -- Include Families in all You Do . . . -- Chapter 13 - Using a Substitute -- Know How to Arrange Substitute Coverage -- Select Absences Judiciously -- Prepare General Guidelines -- Include Specific Instructions -- Keep Procedures Current -- Leave Meaningful Plans -- Gather all Materials -- Meet Available Substitute Teachers -- Ask Colleagues for Suggestions -- Create a Response Form -- Stay Realistic in Your Expectations -- Be Prepared and Rest Easily While Away . . . -- Chapter 14 - Getting Involved with the School -- Attend all Faculty Meetings -- Interact with Your Team -- Volunteer to Serve on Committees -- Assist with Projects and Presentations -- Help with Curricular Writing -- Participate in Social Events -- Understand Classroom Party Policies -- Contribute to Schoolwide Endeavors -- Join in Special School Events -- Co-Sponsor an Afterschool Club -- Demonstrate Support of Activities -- Become Part of the School Community . . . -- Reflections -- Become the Teacher You Want Your Students to Enjoy -- Keep an Album -- Remember: It's a Journey and a Destination . . . -- References and Readings -- Index.

Invaluable for new elementary teachers, this guide covers classroom rules and routines, instruction/assessment techniques, navigating policies and procedures, and communicating effectively with parents and colleagues.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.