Synopses & Reviews
Not your typical how-to manual for new teachers, this no-nonsense, jargon-free guide offers a wide variety of tools and tactics for getting through every school day with grace and sanity. Covered in glue, glitter, orange juiceandmdash;or worse? Make a quick change into the spare set of clothes you keep on hand for just this purpose. Butterflies in your stomach before your first-ever Meet the Teacher Night? Keep your cool by writing the agenda on your boardandmdash;itandrsquo;ll double as a crib sheet for you.
These tips and hundreds more, covering virtually every aspect of teaching, have all been learned the hard way: from real-life classroom experience. Otis Kriegelandrsquo;s andldquo;little black bookandrdquo; will be a treasured resource for teachers who want not only to survive but to thrive in any situation.
Review
“Otis Kriegel’s book does such an excellent job getting underneath the theories and broad views of teaching to focus on often overlooked nuts and bolts of how one actually becomes successful in the classroom. While learning to teach certainly requires knowing the latest research on teaching and learning, there is also the daily work of putting those ideas into practice. Drawing upon his own years of teaching and considerable reflection on what it means to teach well, Kriegel offers readers a practical, personable road map for how they can become better teachers.”—Brad Olsen, associate professor of education, University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of Teaching What They Learn, Learning What They Live: How Teachers’ Personal Histories Shape Their Professional Development
Review
“When I first started teaching, I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. I was taking attendance by calling out kids’ names, I didn’t use a seating chart, and I couldn’t figure out why it felt like my students were running the class. How I wish I’d had Otis Kriegel’s book back then! This is an indispensable guide for any teacher, whether they’re just starting out or looking for straight-up, sensible advice on how to improve their classroom and their practice.”
—Dan Moulthrop, journalist, former teacher, and coauthor, with Dave Eggers and Ninive Calegari, of Teachers Have It Easy: The Big Sacrifices and Small Salaries of America’s Teachers
Review
“A delightful book, chock-full of practical advice for new teachers. Where else will you learn to keep a change of clothes handy (in case a child pees on you) or to tell a parent volunteer that the snacks are for the CHILDREN (and that she shouldn’t eat them all herself)?” —Clara Hemphill, founding editor of InsideSchools.org and author of New York City’s Best Public Elementary Schools
Review
“A terrific guide filled with excellent tips and suggestions for new teachers.” —Steve Reifman, National Board Certified Teacher and author of Eight Essentials for Empowered Teaching and Learning, K-8
Review
“Drawing upon his own years of teaching and reflections on what it means to teach well, Kriegel offers readers a practical, personable road map for how they can become better teachers.” —Brad Olsen, associate professor of education, University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of Teaching What They Learn, Learning What They Live: How Teachers’ Personal Histories Shape Their Professional Development
Review
“This book is a treasure trove of ‘for real’ tasty tidbits of advice. Kriegel writes well enough to read it through like a novel, but there is so much useful information I have placed it in a handy location, so when a question comes up or a school routine looms ominously in the near future, I can go to the table of contents and use the book like a good old-fashioned Farmers’ Almanac.” —Jon Snyder, Dean of the College and Chief Academic Officer, Bank Street College of Education
Review
“Otis Kriegel is the hurricane of fresh air that elementary teacher education needs today.” —Joseph Patrick Rafter, Ph.D, clinical assistant professor, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University
Review
“Finally, a practical survival guide for first year teachers that provides the blueprint for what you need to do—and how—to be an effective teacher. Every teacher beginning their career should have this book.” —Andrea Franks, 25-year veteran 4th- and 5th-grade teacher, New York City
Review
“Otis Kriegel is the teacher every parent wants their child to have. For those who care about improving the quality of our schools you simply have to hope that elementary teachers and parents will buy and read this book.”—Bob Kerrey, president emeritus, The New School
Review
“Challenging many of the night frights that haunt newcomers to the teaching profession, Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY Needs to Know offers sweeping and practical guidance to the novice teacher. Through engaging anecdote and lucid reflection, Kriegel draws on his own professional journey in making a vital contribution to the field of teacher education.”—Michael Grady, Ed.D., Deputy Director and Clinical Assistant Professor, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Review
andldquo;Good advice for novice and veteran teachers alike. Whether readers take in the guide from cover to cover or dip in as needed (which will be often), they will leave with a greater sense of confidence.andrdquo; andmdash;ForeWord Reviews
About the Author
Otis Kriegel has over 15 years of experience in community education. He has taught grades one through five in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. Otis is an adjunct faculty and student mentor at New York University and a lecturer at the Bank Street College of Education and City College of New York, where he earned an M.S.Ed. in bilingual education. He has conducted his workshop, andldquo;How to Survive Your First Years Teaching,andrdquo; for hundreds of student teachers and veteran educators at schools including New York University and Rutgers University, as well as for graduates from Teach for America programs. In 2008, he started the parent advice website The K5 (theK5.com).
Table of Contents
Introduction: Welcome to the Front Line
BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR
1. Making Your Classroom Work for You
Room Design and Traffic Patterns
The Teacherandrsquo;s Desk
The Meeting Area
So Many Supplies and So Little Room
Backpacks and Jackets
Rain and Snow Wear
Lunch Boxes
Decorating
Classroom Library
Getting Books
Organization Manipulatives and Other Supplies
Donandrsquo;t Forget a Padlock
Your Lesson Plan Book
Stay Comfortable: Clothes and Shoes
Setting Up for the Year, Not the Moment
2. Learning Your Schoolandrsquo;s Culture
Who You Need to Know: The Big Four
The Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, or School Secretary
The Custodian
Your Teacher Representative (or Union Representative)
The Principal
Finding a Mentor
Other Important People
The Art of the Stolen Idea
Day-to-Day Routines and Rules
Absence and Lateness
Sickness and Substitutes
Walking the Halls
Restroom Policies
Lunchtime
Inclement Weather Procedure
Communication
Let Them Know Before You Go
Technology and Internet
Morning Drop-Off
After-School Routines
Field Trips
Copies
Bulletin Boards
Teaching and Student Assessment
Teacher Assessment
Report Cards
Getting to Know the Parents
First Day of School Note Home
Back to School Night or Meet the Teacher Night
Parent-Teacher Conferences
PTA/PTO
Responsibilities Beyond the Classroom
Committees
Meetings, Conferences, and Professional Development
Fundraisers
Graduation
Holidays and Birthdays
School Performances, Trips, and Functions
Calendar of Events
Emergencies and Drills
A School Where You Fitandmdash;And That Fits You
3. Setting Up for a Terrific Year
The Daily Schedule
The Lesson Plan
The Morning Meeting
Morning Independent Work
Extra Worksheets
Organizing Student Work
Student Portfolios
Homework
Why Give Homework?
The Homework Folder
The Homework Notebook
The Homework Folder Bin
The Homework Record Book
Checking In Homework
Returning Homework
The Scrap Paper Bin
Recycling Paperwork and#160;
The File Cabinet
Pencils
The New Student
IEPs and Special Education
Working with Specialists
You Donandrsquo;t Need to Be a Genius to Use an Interactive Whiteboard
The Internet
Prepare, Learn, and Teach
DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
4. Working with Students
Cubbies or Desks?
Seat Assignments
Managing School Supplies
Managing in the First Days
Managing Throughout the Year
Managing Unwanted Donations Is Raising Hands Too Old-Fashioned?
I Canandrsquo;t Get Their Attention!
Transitions
Class Guidelines and Tone
Consistency
Student Input
Reward Systems
Consequences for Misbehavior
Empathize
Behavior Contract Behavior Modifications (B-Mods) Community Building
Celebrate Your Studentsandrsquo; Work
Teaching Whole Class, Small Groups, and One-on-One
Whole Class
Small Groups
One-on-One
Getting Your Class into the World: Tips for Field Trips
Plan for the Season
Traveling with Your Class
Did You Talk to All of Your Students Today? When the Rubber Hits the Road, Be Flexible
5. Working with Your Principal
Try to Solve the Problem on Your Own
Principals Need Your Help, Too
1. Keep Your Principal Informed
2. Share Ideas and Opinions
3. Take on Extra Tasks
What Principals Can Do for You Making Friends with Your Boss
YOUR STUDENTSandrsquo; FAMILIES
6. The Parent-Teacher Relationship
What You Want from Parents
What Parents Want from You
What Might Make Parents Unhappy with You
Methods of Communication
Email
Class Website
Phone Calls
Notes Home
When Is a Phone Call or Meeting Best?
A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
7. Communicating with Families
The First Day of School Note Home
Information About You
Attendance
Communication
Arrival and Dismissal
Vital Information
Local Walking Field Trip Permission Slip
Lunch and Snack
Homework
Physical Education
Art
Field Trips
Supplies
Wish List
The Weekly Note Home
Parents, Their Child, Social Media, and Your Classroom
Getting on the Same Page
8. When Families Come into the Classroom
Encouraging Involvement
The Classroom Door: Your Parent Visitation Policy
When Is a Good Time to Visit?
Angry Parent Visits
The Smooth Meet the Teacher Night
Preparing for the Evening
Getting Through the Evening
Sharing Bad News
Getting Yourself Through the Pile: Report Cards
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Making a Schedule That Works
Who Should Come to the Conference?
Share the Report Card Before the Meeting
What Do I Say During the Conference?
Your Volunteer Squad
Volunteering in Class
Volunteering on a Field Trip
Befriending a Parent: A Good or Bad Idea?
Working with Parents Is a Big Part of the Job
YOUR LIFE AS A TEACHER
9. Managing the Workload
Leave It at School!
One Week Ahead: Lesson Planning
Under the Magnifying Glass:
How to Have an Awesome Observation
Let Your Class Know
Display the Schedule and Lesson Plans
Have All Materials Ready Know Why Youandrsquo;re Doing What Youandrsquo;re Doing
Differentiate Be Ready with Past Work
Be Yourself
Startandmdash;and Endandmdash;with a Bang
Manage Your Time
Curriculum and Behavior
Delegate: Get Help!
Keep Your Perspective
10. Balancing Your Responsibilities
The Jobs Not Included in Your Job Description
The Positive Influence: Your Exciting Life
The Well-Rested Teacher vs. the Exhausted Teacher
Youandrsquo;re Ready
Resources
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author