Keys to the Elementary Classroom: A New Teacher's Guide to the First Month of School

"New teachers will love this step-by-step approach to setting up and managing a classroom while nurturing a community of eager and cooperative learners. The authors also provide a plethora of practical classroom activities for both new and seasoned teachers." —Catherine Hernandez, Second-Grade Teacher Detroit Public Schools, MI "Proficient teachers are key to the future of education. This book is a great resource to help new teachers make their first year a successful one!" —Janet Crews, Instructional Coach Clayton School District, MO Best practices to help you start the school year in a powerful way! For elementary teachers entering the classroom for the first time, this updated edition of the bestseller Keys to the Classroom provides practical guidelines to help you build a foundation for a successful first year. Written by a team of experts, this invaluable resource offers new teachers a daily structure and clear classroom procedures and activities to help establish a positive classroom climate and eliminate most behavior problems. This practical, easy-to-use guidebook includes lesson plans, tips for organizing the first day, and reproducible student worksheets in English and Spanish. The new edition features: An added chapter on planning and creating the classroom environment Voices of novice and experienced teachers New assessments for students' learning styles and preferences Revised instructional materials for English as a second language With strategies that can be adapted across grade levels, ways to develop relationships with students' families, and resources for professional development, Keys to the Elementary Classroom, Third Edition, will help you get a positive start to the school year and a rewarding career.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Third Edition Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction Phases of Teaching: The Ups and Downs of a First-Year Teacher 1. A Guide to Planning and Creating the Environment Annual Planning Midrange Planning: Getting to Know Your Students and Community Daily and Weekly Planning Room Arrangement Environment Checklist Preparation Prior to the First Day 2. Assessments Assessment Overview Assessment Forms 3. Routines and Procedures Cardinal Rules of Classroom Management Freeze and Listen Cleanup Procedures for Lessons, Groups, and Rotations Strategies Regarding Behavior Daily Ongoing Activities 4. The First Two Weeks of School...A Detailed Account Overview of the First Two Weeks of School for Kindergarten and First Grade First Two Weeks of School—Kindergarten First Two Weeks of School—First Grade First Two Weeks of School—Second and Third Grades First Two Weeks of School—Fourth to Sixth Grades 5. Activities for the First Month Community Builder Activities Language Arts Activities Math Activities Other Activities 6. Fingerplays and Songs for Oral Language in English and Spanish Attention-Getting Fingerplays Inclusion Songs Songs That Are Adaptable to Thematic Units 7. Home and School Communication First Day of Kindergarten / Primer Día del Kinder Donation Requests / Donaciones, Por Favor Daily Snack Program / Programa Diario Del Bocadillo Classroom Volunteer Request / Voluntarios, Por Favor Homework Schedule / Horario de la Tarea The Writing Process / El Proceso De la Escritura Resource A: Bibliography for Teachers Resource B: Read-Alouds, K-6, in English and Spanish