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Jossey-Bass K−12 Education
Jbeducation
jbeducation



First-Year
Teacher’s
The

Survival Guide

Ready-to-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities
for Meeting the Challenges of Each School Day

THIRD EDITION

JULIA G. THOMPSON

iii


Copyright © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
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From The First-Year Teacher’s Survival Guide, 3rd Edition, by Julia G. Thompson. Copyright © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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THIRD EDITION
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Contents at a Glance
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’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’ Progress........................................................ 365
Section Fourteen: Level the Playing Field by Covering Basic Skills......................... 401

v


vi

Contents at a Glance

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


Contents


Contents at a Glance............................................................................................... v
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 Reflective Practice......................................................................................................................... 9
Teacher Worksheet 1.1: Template for Professional Self-Reflection......................................................... 11
Teacher Worksheet 1.2: Characteristics of Successful Teachers............................................................... 12
Teacher Worksheet 1.3: Learning from Exemplary Teachers.................................................................... 13
Learning from Role Models and Mentors...................................................................................................... 14
Seeking Feedback on Your Professional Performance................................................................................ 15
Teacher Worksheet 1.4: Making the Most of Peer Observations............................................................. 16
Using the Evaluation Process to Improve Your Teaching Skills.............................................................. 17
Teacher Worksheet 1.5: How Observers Will Evaluate You...................................................................... 19
Teacher Worksheet 1.6: Data Tracking Sheet............................................................................................... 22
Maintaining Sustained Professional Growth................................................................................................ 25
Teacher Worksheet 1.7: Are You in Charge of Your Career?..................................................................... 26
Teacher Worksheet 1.8: 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


vii


viii

Contents

Section Two: Develop the Practical Skills You’ll Need to Manage
a Classroom............................................................................................................ 35
Arrange Your Own Work Area.......................................................................................................................... 35
Become an Efficient Teacher.............................................................................................................................. 42
Teacher Worksheet 2.1: Meet Your Classroom Priorities........................................................................... 44
Teacher Worksheet 2.2: Teacher’s Daily To-Do List.................................................................................... 47
Teacher Worksheet 2.3: Checklist of a Teacher’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 Reflect: Develop the Practical Skills You’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 3.1: How Effective Are You at Creating a Transparent Classroom?.................. 89
The Importance of Keeping Contact Records.............................................................................................. 90
Teacher Worksheet 3.2: Contact Documentation Form............................................................................ 91
Be Positive with Parents and Guardians......................................................................................................... 92
Take Care to Interact Professionally................................................................................................................ 93
Class Newsletters................................................................................................................................................... 96




Contents

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 4.1: Inventory: Please Tell Me About Your Child...........................113
Activities for the First Day...............................................................................................................................115
Teacher Worksheet 4.1: Planning Template for the First Day of School............................................117
Teacher Worksheet 4.2: Checklist for the First Day..................................................................................119
Student Information Records.........................................................................................................................120
Student Worksheet 4.1: Student Information Form.................................................................................121
Learn Your Students’ Names Quickly...........................................................................................................123
How to Get to Know Your Students.............................................................................................................123
Student Worksheet 4.2: Inventory for Elementary Students..................................................................127
Student Worksheet 4.3: Inventory for Middle School Students............................................................129
Student Worksheet 4.4: 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 Reflect: Begin a Successful School Term......................................................................................138

Section Five: Develop Positive Classroom Relationships............................... 139
Develop a Positive Relationship with Students..........................................................................................139
Teacher Worksheet 5.1: How Appropriate Are Your Relationships with Students?.........................142
Teacher Worksheet 5.2: Are You a Good Role Model?.............................................................................149
Help Students Learn to Relate Well to Each Other..................................................................................157
Teacher Worksheet 5.3: 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

ix


x

Contents

Teacher Worksheet 6.1: How Well Do You Use Class Time?..................................................................177
Principles of Effective Classroom Time Management..............................................................................179
Raise Your Students’ Awareness of Class Time..........................................................................................180
How to Handle Interruptions.........................................................................................................................181
Pacing Instruction..............................................................................................................................................182
The First Ten Minutes of Class.......................................................................................................................183
Teacher Worksheet 6.2: Plans for Starting Class Effectively...................................................................186
Productive Transitions......................................................................................................................................187
How to Handle Requests to Leave the Classroom.....................................................................................191
Teacher Worksheet 6.3: Student Sign-Out Sheet.......................................................................................195
The Last Ten Minutes of Class.......................................................................................................................196
Teacher Worksheet 6.4: 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 7.1: Planning for Classroom Policies........................................................................205
Establish Procedures..........................................................................................................................................209
Teacher Worksheet 7.2: 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 7.3: 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





Contents

Make Success Attainable...................................................................................................................................231
Teach Your Students to Follow Directions..................................................................................................232
Purposeful Learning...........................................................................................................................................235
Teacher Worksheet 8.1: Assignment Checklist...........................................................................................237
Take a Goal-Oriented Approach to Learning..............................................................................................238
Student Worksheet 8.1: Setting and Achieving SMART Goals..............................................................239
Make Success Visible..........................................................................................................................................241
Teach Students to Track Their Own Mastery of Material......................................................................241
Student Worksheet 8.2: Progress Tracking Chart......................................................................................243
How to Survive the Homework Debate........................................................................................................244
Teacher Worksheet 8.2: Plan Successful Homework Assignments.......................................................248
Student Worksheet 8.3: Missing Homework Explanation Form...........................................................252
Student Worksheet 8.4: 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
“There’s an App for That!”...............................................................................................................................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’s Standards......................................................................................................................................283
The Common Core State Standards Initiative...........................................................................................283
Assess Your Students’ Prior Knowledge.......................................................................................................285
How to Begin Planning Instruction..............................................................................................................286
Teacher Worksheet 10.1: Format for a Course Overview.........................................................................288
Teacher Worksheet 10.2: Format for a Unit Plan......................................................................................290
What to Include in Your Plans........................................................................................................................291

xi


xii

Contents

Teacher Worksheet 10.3: 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 Appealing................................................................................................................327
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 12.1: Individualized Instruction Worksheet...........................................................335
Teacher Worksheet 12.2: 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’ Progress.......................................... 365
Data-Driven Instruction: Summative and Formative Assessments......................................................365
How to Use Formative Assessments..............................................................................................................366
Teacher Worksheet 13.1: Tracking Formative Assessment Data...........................................................368

Student Worksheet 13.1: Assignment Reflection.......................................................................................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




Contents

Keeping Track of Grades..................................................................................................................................388
Student Worksheet 13.2: 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’ Progress........................................................................................399

Section Fourteen: Level the Playing Field by Covering Basic Skills.............. 401
Media Literacy Skills..........................................................................................................................................402
Listening Skills....................................................................................................................................................404
Speaking Skills....................................................................................................................................................405
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 15.1: How Effective Are You at Preventing Discipline Problems?....................431
Your Role in Preventing Discipline Problems.............................................................................................432
Teacher Worksheet 15.2: 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 15.3: 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’ Respect...........................................................................................................................440
An Unexpected Tip: Be a Good Listener......................................................................................................440
Early Intervention Strategies...........................................................................................................................441
When You Should Act.......................................................................................................................................442

xiii


xiv


Contents

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 16.1: Classroom Management Techniques to Avoid............................................454
How to Avoid a Lawsuit: A Teacher’s Legal Responsibilities..................................................................455
Teacher Worksheet 16.2: Behavior Incident Report..................................................................................458
Due Process Procedures....................................................................................................................................459
Cultivate Grace Under Pressure......................................................................................................................459
Great Advice: Don’t Take It Personally.........................................................................................................460
You May Be the Troublemaker.......................................................................................................................461
Think Before You Act........................................................................................................................................462
Don’t Give Up on Your Difficult Students..................................................................................................463
How to Deal with a Difficult Class................................................................................................................463
How to Cope with a Student’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 Confidence.........................................................................469
Handling Four Common Types of Student Misbehavior.......................................................................472
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 17.1: 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’ 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


DVD Contents
The DVD included in the back of this book contains downloadable versions of the
worksheets found in this book. It also provides a number of bonus articles that will
help you survive and thrive as a new teacher.

Section One: Know What It Means to Be a Twenty-First-Century
Educator
Bonus Sections:
Lesson Study
Learning to Manage Your Stress
Teacher Worksheet B.1: Lesson Study Observation
Teacher Worksheet B.2: How Well Do You Currently Manage Your Stress Level?
Teacher Worksheet 1.1: Template for Professional Self-Reflection

Teacher Worksheet 1.2: Characteristics of Successful Teachers
Teacher Worksheet 1.3: Learning from Exemplary Teachers
Teacher Worksheet 1.4: Making the Most of Peer Observations
Teacher Worksheet 1.5: How Observers Will Evaluate You
Teacher Worksheet 1.6: Data Tracking Sheet
Teacher Worksheet 1.7: Are You in Charge of Your Career?
Teacher Worksheet 1.8: Track Your Professional Goals

Section Two: Develop the Practical Skills You’ll Need to Manage
a Classroom
Bonus Section:
Three Special Classroom Situations: Shared Classrooms, Portable Classrooms,
and Overcrowded Classrooms
Teacher Worksheet 2.1: Meet Your Classroom Priorities
Teacher Worksheet 2.2: Teacher’s Daily To-Do List
Teacher Worksheet 2.3: Checklist of a Teacher’s Weekly Reminders
xv


xvi

DVD Contents

Section Three: Collaborate with Others in Your School
and Community
Bonus Sections:
What to Do When You Have to Miss School
How to Have a Successful Open House
Connecting Your Students to Their Community and to the World
Teacher Worksheet 3.1: How Effective Are You at Creating a Transparent

Classroom?
Teacher Worksheet 3.2: Contact Documentation Form

Section Four: Begin a Successful School Term
Parent or Guardian Worksheet 4.1: Inventory: Please Tell Me About Your Child
Teacher Worksheet 4.1: Planning Template for the First Day of School
Teacher Worksheet 4.2: Checklist for the First Day
Student Worksheet 4.1: Student Information Form
Student Worksheet 4.2: Inventory for Elementary Students
Student Worksheet 4.3: Inventory for Middle School Students
Student Worksheet 4.4: Inventory for High School Students

Section Five: Develop Positive Classroom Relationships
Bonus Sections:
Students Working in Collaborative Groups
Learning Partners: Pairing Students for Maximum Learning
Teacher Worksheet 5.1: How Appropriate Are Your Relationships with Students?
Teacher Worksheet 5.2: Are You a Good Role Model?
Teacher Worksheet 5.3: Checklist of Social Skills All Students Should Master

Section Six: Control Class Time
Teacher Worksheet 6.1: How Well Do You Use Class Time?
Teacher Worksheet 6.2: Plans for Starting Class Effectively
Teacher Worksheet 6.3: Student Sign-Out Sheet
Teacher Worksheet 6.4: Plans for Ending Class Effectively

Section Seven: Manage Your Classroom
Teacher Worksheet 7.1: Planning for Classroom Policies
Teacher Worksheet 7.2: Where to Find Help with Establishing Procedures
Teacher Worksheet 7.3: Checklist to Determine If Your Rules Will Be Successful





DVD Contents

Section Eight: Motivate Students to Succeed
Bonus Sections:
Teaching Your Students Habits and Attitudes for Success
Focused Instructional Practices to Improve Student Work Habits
Teacher Worksheet 8.1: Assignment Checklist
Student Worksheet 8.1: Setting and Achieving SMART Goals
Student Worksheet 8.2: Progress Tracking Chart
Teacher Worksheet 8.2: Plan Successful Homework Assignments
Student Worksheet 8.3: Missing Homework Explanation Form
Student Worksheet 8.4: Class Log Page

Section Nine: Choose Appropriate Instructional Strategies
and Resources
No DVD Content

Section Ten: Design Effective Instruction
Teacher Worksheet 10.1: Format for a Course Overview
Teacher Worksheet 10.2: Format for a Unit Plan
Teacher Worksheet 10.3: Easy-to-Use Format for Daily Lesson Plans

Section Eleven: Deliver Engaging Instruction
No DVD Content

Section Twelve: Meet the Needs of All of Your Students

Teacher Worksheet 12.1: Individualized Instruction Worksheet
Teacher Worksheet 12.2: A Planning Tool for Differentiation

Section Thirteen: Assess Your Students’ Progress
Teacher Worksheet 13.1: Tracking Formative Assessment Data
Student Worksheet 13.1: Assignment Reflection
Student Worksheet 13.2: Grade Tracking Form for Student Success

Section Fourteen: Level the Playing Field by Covering
Basic Skills
No DVD Content

xvii


xviii DVD Contents

Section Fifteen: Prevent Discipline Problems
Teacher Worksheet 15.1: How Effective Are You at Preventing Discipline
Problems?
Teacher Worksheet 15.2: Preventing or Minimizing Discipline Problems
Teacher Worksheet 15.3: What Is Your Level of Withitness?

Section Sixteen: Manage Discipline Problems
Teacher Worksheet 16.1: Classroom Management Techniques to Avoid
Teacher Worksheet 16.2: Behavior Incident Report

Section Seventeen: Learn to Solve Classroom Problems
Teacher Worksheet 17.1: Work Through Classroom Problems


These materials are also available online at www.wiley.com/go/fyt3e. The password is
the last five digits of this book’s ISBN, which are 50284.


About the Author

J

ulia G. Thompson received her BA in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University in Blacksburg. She has been a teacher in the public schools
of Virginia, Arizona, and North Carolina for more than thirty-five years. Thompson
has taught a variety of courses, including freshman composition at Virginia Tech, English
in all of the secondary grades, mining, geography, reading, home economics, math, civics,
Arizona history, physical education, special education, graduation equivalency preparation, and employment skills. Her students have been diverse in ethnicity as well as in
age, ranging from seventh graders to adults. Thompson currently teaches in Fairfax
County, Virginia, where she is an active speaker and consultant. Author of Discipline Survival
Guide for the Secondary Teacher, The First-Year Teacher’s Checklist, and The First-Year Teacher’s
Survival Guide Professional Development Training Kit, Thompson also provides advice on a
variety of subjects through her Web site, www.juliagthompson.com; on her blog, http://
juliagthompson.blogspot.com; and on Twitter at />
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For Phil, with gratitude, love, and admiration


Acknowledgments

I


am grateful to my editor, Marjorie McAneny, for her encouragement, patience, and
perceptive insights during the preparation of this book.
Thank you to the faculty, staff, and students of Windsor High School in Isle of
Wight County, Virginia, for their continuing encouragement—something every teacher
needs.
Special thanks to the following thoughtful teachers who offered their wise counsel,
and who could remember what it’s like to be a first-year teacher:
Dawn Carroll
Janice Dabroski
Bob Foley
Edward Gardner
Charlene Herrala
Matt Kissling
Jane Lankford
Stephanie Stock Mahoney

Debbie McManaway
Christina L. Myren
Carole Platt
Erin Sager
Luann Scott
Kathleen Stankiewicz
Kay Stephenson
Sarah Walski

Thanks, too, to these insightful novice teachers who took the time to share what it’s
like to be a first-year teacher in the twenty-first century:
Melinda Conner
Joshua Culver
Alanna Dougherty


Megan Kelly
Kristin Reagan
Jared Sronce

xxi



About This Survival Guide

T

his is the book that I needed as a first-year teacher. I knew a great deal about the
content I was expected to teach, but I did not know very much at all about the children who would be occupying the desks in my new classroom. I did not know how
to set up a grade book or administer a test or grade papers. I did not know what to do
when a student talked back, told me a lie, or stopped paying attention to my carefully
planned lesson. Worst of all, I did not even know where to begin to look for the answers
that I needed then.
If you are like me, there is a great deal about our profession that intrigues you. You
may feel uncertain at times about what to do, but you also feel pretty terrific when things
go as planned. It’s a great feeling to look around your classroom and realize that everyone
is learning.
You know what you and your students are supposed to achieve, but you are not always
sure how to proceed. Some days increase your confidence in your teaching skills, whereas
others test your dedication.
Almost everyone begins a teaching career with the same emotions. Many veteran teachers also suffered through the tough days when they didn’t know what to do and gloried
in the days when they were able to engage every student in the magic of learning. The daily
barrage of pressures on first-year teachers can be so exhausting and defeating that some
eventually choose another career that is not as difficult but also not nearly as rewarding.

However, the first years of your teaching career can be immensely satisfying ones. Every
day is a new opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. Your first years as a teacher
can be years of dynamic professional growth and personal fulfillment as you achieve your
own dreams while helping your students achieve theirs.
Helping you enjoy success in the first years of your career is the goal of The First-Year
Teacher’s Survival Guide. The suggestions and strategies in these pages can help you develop
into a skillful classroom teacher who remains enthusiastic about the possibilities in every
student. For instance, in this book you’ll find

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