The teacher's survival guide : real classroom dilemmas and practical solutions / Marc R. Major.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Major, Marc R., 1968-

Contributor:

Kathryn Faul and Joseph A. Wallace Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Teaching--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Teaching.

Genre:

Handbooks and manuals.

Physical Description:

x, 350 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2008.

Summary:

Based on extensive research as well as the author's own teaching and mentoring experience, this lively book covers best practices in the essentials of teaching-from organizational tips to proven pedagogic and classroom management techniques. It combines insights from some of the most respected psychologists and educational thinkers with hundreds of firsthand discussions. In style, the book combines the intellectual rigor of a college textbook with the readability, practical relevance, and appropriate humor common to bestselling how-to manuals. While avoiding oversimplification, the author has distilled this vast reservoir of expert wisdom into an easily-digestible guidebook packed with diagrams, interviews, anecdotes, and case studies. The result is both enlightening and enjoyable to read.

Contents:

1 Cultivating a Classroom Culture 1

Defining Your Vision 2

Creating Class Rules 5

Building a Culture of Mutual Respect 10

Sexual Harassment 15

Building a Culture of Trust 20

Building a Culture of Achievement 24

2 Who Are Your Students? 36

Most Students Are Not Like You 37

Adolescents Are More Than Cognitive Creatures 39

The Physical Dimension 41

The Social Dimension 51

The Emotional Dimension 62

Self-Esteem 72

The Intellectual Dimension 84

The Moral-Spiritual Dimension 92

Teaching Morality: What the Law Says 94

Moral Dilemmas 98

Connecting With Students 104

Making Multicultural Connections 109

Racial Bias 116

What Do These Insights Imply for Teachers? 118

3 Preparing for the First Week of School 120

Plant the Seeds of Your Reputation 120

Find a Mentor 121

Organize Yourself 122

Organize Your Space 134

Organize Your Students: Establish Clear Rules and Routines 153

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Never Do Anything the Students Could Do 167

The First Week of School 169

4 Communication Essentials 176

Laying the Groundwork 176

Structure of Effective Lessons 182

Key Elements of Effective Lessons: Relevance, Variety, and Level of Difficulty 186

What Does It Look Like? Components of Effective Communication 196

5 Classroom Management I: Prevention and Minor Trouble 216

Classroom Management Is Problem Prevention 216

Classroom Misdemeanors: Incivility, Defiance, Whining, and Manipulation 237

Four Basic Tenets of Discipline 251

A Sample Discipline Hierarchy 261

6 Classroom Management II: Chronic and Severe Trouble 271

Conflict Resolution: Healthy Versus Unhealthy Strategies 272

What to Do When Conflict Arises 273

Classroom Felonies: Bullying, Violence, and Illegal Behavior 281

Chronic Misbehavior: What Lies Beneath? 296

Chronic Misbehavior: Strategies to Cope 299

Advice from a Notorious Troublemaker 312

"What If I Screw Up?" 312

7 Communicating with Parents, Administrators, and Others 318

Build Bonds With Parents 318

10 Tips for Communicating With Parents 322

What If Parents Are Part of the Problem? 326

Interacting With Administrators 341

Never Forget the Support Staff 342.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 345-350).

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Kathryn Faul and Joseph A. Wallace Fund.

ISBN:

9781578868155

1578868157

9781578868162

1578868165

9781578868889

1578868882

OCLC:

202542321