Description
Book SynopsisTeachers who read A Dozen Things will be engaged with the personal stories of teaching, while also gaining strategies for success in their classrooms. A quick glance at the table of contents provides insight into the issues teachers face and how to thrive and succeed. Successful teachers prepare personally and professionally for their jobs. Strong teachers organize and manage a classroom, while planning to use a variety of effective teaching methods and strategies.Both new and veteran teachers use technology to their advantage, and know when to just use paper and pencil to teach. Successful teachers master how to assess student work with straightforward, usable evaluations, and not just the standardized tests. While striving to meet the needs of all students, effective teachers communicate with all stakeholders especially the students! How do teachers keep their jobs from taking over their lives? They recognize that teaching is too difficult a job to do alone, and too important a job
Trade ReviewA comprehensive overview of how to be successful in teaching from managing a classroom to understanding how to effectively engage students in meaningful instruction, to assessment and the use of technology, this work is a welcome addition to the literature for newer teachers. This book is unique in that the content moves from the theories of teaching and learning to stories, questions and examples that relate to the practical application of those theories. With its approachable and supportive tone, the book helps the novice teacher to understand how to plan instruction yet maintain flexibility and embrace the diversity of personalities and learning styles among their students. It is a great resource for anyone embarking on a teaching career. -- Faye Snodgress, executive director, Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, Indianapolis, IN
Mary Clement draws on her 40 years of classroom experience to offer sound and heartfelt advice for anyone wanting to succeed as a teacher today. She masterfully weaves together useful pedagogical information, personal anecdotes, and thought-provoking questions that affirm and inspire. Mary’s engaging writing style makes readers feel as if they are sitting around a dining room table and chatting with good friends about the education profession. The book, chocked full of invaluable ideas, is a must-read for new and experienced teachers, administrators, parents, policymakers, and anyone who loves children and teaching. -- Nathan Bond, PhD, Professor, Curriculum & Instruction, Texas State University
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Successful Teachers 1. Prepare Personally and Professionally What Preparation Do Successful Teachers Have? Preparation To Get, And Keep, A Teaching Job 2.Know Educational Psychology Why Educational Psychology? Development Learning Motivation Engage Students In Meaningful, Relevant, and Rigorous Instruction The Four Steps of Classroom Management 3.Organize and Manage a Classroom Organize the Room Procedures and Routines Rules and Consequences 4.Plan for Teaching Curriculum is What We Teach Planning What to Teach A 10-step Lesson Plan – Any Subject or Grade Level A Four-Step Lesson Plan 5.Use Effective Methods and Strategies Assess Prior Interest and Knowledge (APIK) Method #1: Lecture and Presentation Method #2 – Concept Attainment Method # 3: Demonstrations and Modeling Method #4: Teaching with Questions Method #5: Discussions Method #6 – Group Work Method # 7: Teaching with Projects Method #8 – Lab Work Method #9 – Teaching with Games 6.Use Technology for an Advantage Simple Uses of Technology Computers for Practice, Reinforcement, and Assessment Guidelines and Ideas What Might the Future Hold? 7.Assess Student Work A Review of the Vocabulary of Assessment Informal, Formative Assessments Assess to Objectives Creating Tests Turning Assessments into Grades When and How to Share Assessment Data Program and Schoolwide Assessments 8.Meet the Needs of All Students Student Diversity Teaching Students with Special Needs Gifted Students and Their Special Needs Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) 9.Communicate with All Stakeholders Communication with Parents and Families Script for Parent Phone Call Home Communicating with Colleagues Communication with Administrators Communication Outside of the Classroom 10.Manage Time and Stress Time Management Stress Management 11.Grow as Professionals What Does It Mean to be a Professional? Mentoring and Being Mentored The Support of a Professional Association Professional Learning Communities Becoming a Teacher Leader The Stages of a Teacher’s Career Moving into Administration Moving into Higher Education 12.Know Why They Teach Reading About Inspirational Educators About Reflection The Rest of My Story References About the Author
