Math Teacher's Survival Guide: Practical Strategies, Management Techniques, and Reproducibles for New and Experienced Teachers, Grades 5-12

JUDITH MUSCHLA has taught mathematics in South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-five years. GARY ROBERT MUSCHLA taught reading, writing, and math for more than twenty-five years in Spotswood, New Jersey. ERIN MUSCHLA teaches 7th grade math at Applegarth Middle School in Monroe, New Jersey. Gary and Judith are the coauthors of The Math Teacher's Book of Lists, Hands-on Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Math Starters, The Geometry Teacher's Activities Kit, Math Smart, The Math Teacher's Problem-a-Day, and Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit, all published by Jossey-Bass.

• About This Book vThe Authors viiAcknowledgments ixSection One: Embracing the Profession of Teacher of Mathematics 1Traits of Great Math Teachers 1Meeting State Standards and District Math Goals 3School Policies and Procedures You Need to Know 4Professionalism and Common Sense 7Professionalism Outside the Classroom 9Maintaining Your Professional Expertise 9Quick Review for Embracing the Profession of Teacher of Mathematics 12Section Two: Before the First Day 15Starting the Year Early 15Things to Do Before School Starts (Reproducible) 17Greeting Administrators, Colleagues, and Support Staff 18Getting a Head Start on Paperwork 18Your Schedule and Class Lists 19Seating Charts 20Seating Chart Grid (Reproducible) 21Seating Options 22Setting Up Your Classroom 23Arranging Furniture to Enhance Math Learning 23Checking Equipment 23Checking Materials and Supplies 24Hall Passes (Reproducible) 26Classroom Sign-Out Sheet (Reproducible) 27Decorating Your Room 28Preparing for the First Day 29Setting Goals 29Rules and Requirements of Your Classes 29Rules and Requirements of Ms Smith’s Algebra I Class 31Activities for the First Day 33Making Copies Before the Copy Machine Crunch 33Being Connected: Checking Communications Systems 34Especially for the First-Year Math Teacher 35Learning the Layout of Your School 35The Value of Orientation 36Reviewing Handbooks 37Finding a Mentor 37Quick Review for Before the First Day 38Section Three: The Math Teacher’s Tools of the Trade 41Basic Supplies, Materials, and Equipment 41Common Math Manipulatives 42Sources for Math Materials and Manipulatives 45Technology 46Calculators 46Computers 47Interactive Whiteboards 49Resources on the Internet 50Sources of Supplementary Teaching Materials 53Quick Review for the Math Teacher’s Tools of the Trade 54Section Four: Becoming a Valued Member of the Staff 55Working Effectively with Others 56The Chain of Command in Your School 56Working with Other Teachers 57Working with Para-Educators 58Working with Support Staff 59Committees and Teamwork 59The Roles People Play in Committees 60Working Together in Sharing 62Getting Along with Others in Your School 63Evaluations for Math Teachers 65How Not to Be Nervous During an Observation 66Preparing for an Observation 67An Evaluation Checklist 67The Pre-Observation Conference 69The Observation 69The Post-Observation Conference70The End-of-the-Year Evaluation 70Becoming a Mentor for New Math Teachers 70Responsibilities of a Mentor 71Responsibilities of a Mentee 72After School and Beyond 73Providing After-School Math Help 73Extracurricular Activities 75Quick Review for Becoming a Valued Member of the Staff 75Section Five: Organizing for Success 77Your Master Schedule for Organization 77The Value of an All-Purpose Binder 79Practical Routines 79Daily Reminders (Reproducible) 81How to Avoid Letting the ‘‘Little Things’’ Pile Up 83Organizing Your Classroom 84Special Organizational Considerations When Sharing a Classroom 85Record of Used Supplies or Malfunctioning Equipment (Reproducible) 87Organizing Files 88Your File Cabinet 88Electronic Files 89Necessary Information to Maintain 90Managing Your Paper Load 92Taking Control of Time 93The Importance of Effective Substitute Plans 94Sub Plans That Move Your Students Forward 94The True Emergency Plan 94Long-Term Absences 95Essential Components of a Sub Plan for Your Math Class 95Quick Review for Organizing for Success 96Section Six: Planning a Great First Day 99The First-Day Basics 99If You Have a Homeroom 100Record of Materials Returned by Students (Reproducible) 102Double-Checking Materials and Supplies 104Keys to Being Calm and Composed 104Welcoming Students at the Classroom Door 105Introducing Yourself 105Getting Started 105Providing an Overview of Your Math Class 106Responsibilities of Math Students (Reproducible) 107Learning About Your Students 109Facts About You (Reproducible) 110Name Cards 111Circles of Me: A Getting-Acquainted Activity 111Circles of Me (Reproducible) 113Providing a Math Activity on the First Day 114Number Puzzlers 114Handing Out Texts, Workbooks, and Other Materials 115Quick Review for Having a Great First Day 115Section Seven: Managing Your Math Classroom 117Establishing Efficient Classroom Routines 117Taking Attendance 118Dealing with Students Who Arrive Late to Class 118Smoothly Handling Requests to Leave the Classroom 118Distributing and Collecting Materials 119Procedures for Student Computer Use 121Computer Sign-Up Sheet (Reproducible) 122Computer Etiquette (Reproducible) 124Achieving a Smooth Flow of Classroom Traffic 125Creating a Productive Math Class 126Beginning Class with a Math Do-Now 127Agendas or Assignment Pads 128Classwork 128Group Work 129How to Work in a Math Group (Reproducible) 131Homework 132Math Journals 133Math Journal Writing Prompts (Reproducible) 135Math Notebooks 136Tips for Keeping a Math Notebook (Reproducible) 137Procedures for Making Up Missed Work 138Math Makeup Work (Reproducible) 140Procedures for Ending Class 141Helping Your Students Learn to Follow Directions 142Quick Review for Managing Your Classroom 143Section Eight: Building a Positive Environment for Learning Math 145The Physical Classroom 145Setting a Tone of Respect and Courtesy 147Respect and Courtesy Guidelines (Reproducible) 149Preventing and Responding to Bullying 150Creating a Positive Math Environment for Diverse Students 152Gifted Math Students 152Underachieving Students 154Mainstreamed Special-Needs Students 155Students with 504 Plans 158Students with Attention Deficit Disorders 159Students Who Are at Risk of Dropping Out of School 162Economically Disadvantaged Students 164Students Who Speak Little or No English 165Avoiding Gender and Ethnic Bias in Math Class 167Appreciating Cultural Diversity 168Helping Students Overcome Math Anxiety 169Steps to Beat Math Anxiety (Reproducible) 170Quick Review for Building a Positive Environment for Learning Math 171Section Nine: Interacting with Your Students 173Maintaining a Professional Role with Your Students 173Your Appearance 174Your Language and Tone 174Your Behavior 175Avoiding Potential Trouble 176Discretion and Your Personal Life 176Getting to Know Your Students 177Communication and Being a Good Listener 178Tips for Positive Communication in Math Class (Reproducible) 180Guiding Students to Become Successful Math Students 181How to Become a Successful Math Student (Reproducible) 182Helping Students Develop Math Study Skills 183How to Improve Your Math Study Skills (Reproducible) 184How to Read a Math Textbook 185Guidelines for Reading Your Math Text (Reproducible) 186How to Prepare for and Do Well on Math Tests 187How to Prepare for Math Tests (Reproducible) 188Math Test-Taking Tips (Reproducible) 190How to Conduct Successful Math Conferences with Students 191Preventing and Dealing with Disruptions 192Helping Students Cope with the Pressures of Being a Student 194Serious Problems Requiring Immediate Action 195Quick Review for Interacting with Your Students 196Section Ten: Designing Effective Math Lessons and Activities 199Making Time for Planning 199Planning a Variety of Math Lessons and Activities 200The Foundation of Successful Math Lessons and Activities 201State Math Standards 201District and School Math Goals and Objectives 202Curriculum 202The Principles, Standards, and Focal Points of the NCTM 203Objectives 203Resources for Planning Math Lessons and Activities 204Components of Effective Math Plans and Activities 205Addressing the Needs of Diverse Learners 205Building on Prior Knowledge 207Including Material for Critical Thinking in Your Math Plans 208Incorporating Technology in Math Plans 209Providing a Means for Assessment 210Types of Math Plans 211Basic Course of Study Planning Guide (Reproducible) 213Unit Plans 215Unit Plan Format (Reproducible) 217Sample Unit Plan 220Daily Lesson Plans 222Daily Lesson Plan Format (Reproducible) 224Sample Daily Lesson Plan 227Overcoming Common Problems in Planning 229Pacing 229Pull-Out Programs 230Lessons and Activities for Special Days 231Adjusting Lesson Plans 232Avoiding Planning Pitfalls 233Incorporating Literature into Your Math Class 234Elementary/Middle School 235Middle School/High School 236High School 237Incorporating Writing into Your Math Class 238The Writing Process (Reproducible) 240Quick Review for Designing Effective Math Lessons and Activities 241Section Eleven: Providing Effective Math Instruction 243Being a Facilitator of Learning 243Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Through Instruction 244Using Various Instructional Methods for Teaching 245Fostering Problem-Solving Skills in Your Students 247Steps for Solving Math Word Problems (Reproducible) 248Motivating Your Students 249Improving Your Instructional Delivery Skills 250Speaking 250Body Language 251Using the Traditional Board, Overhead Projector, or Interactive Whiteboard 252Handling Math Manipulatives Effectively 253Using Technology with Expertise 254Managing Interruptions and Getting Back on Task 257Monitoring Learning During Instruction 259Videotaping Your Delivery and Building Confidence 260Quick Review for Providing Effective Math Instruction 261Section Twelve: Evaluating the Progress of Your Students 263Devising a Fair System of Grading 263Ways to Assess Student Learning 264Assessment Through Tests and Quizzes 265Assessment Through Open-Ended Problems 266Assessment Through Group Activities 267Assessment Through Math Notebooks 268Assessment Through Math Projects 269Assessment Through Writing 270Assessment Through Math Portfolios 270Assessment Through Classwork 271Assessment Through Homework 272Preparing Your Students for Standardized Math Tests 273Tips for Taking Standardized Math Tests (Reproducible) 275Evaluating Assessment Results 276Record Keeping 277If Your Grades Are Challenged 279Quick Review for Evaluating the Progress of Your Students 280Section Thirteen: Managing Inappropriate Behavior 283Addressing Inappropriate Behavior in Your Math Class 283Involving Parents and Guardians in Addressing Inappropriate Behavior 286Record of Parent-Guardian Contact (Reproducible) 288The Value of Behavior Contracts 289Sample Behavior Contract (Reproducible) 291Involving Administrators in Addressing Inappropriate Behavior 292The Major Incident Report 293Major Incident Report Form (Reproducible) 294Common Examples of Inappropriate Behavior and How to Handle Them 295Habitual Lateness to Class 295Inattentiveness 296Incomplete Work 296Repeatedly Requesting to Leave Class 297Excessive Talking 297Passing Notes 298Sleeping During Class 298Attention Seeking 299Inappropriate Use of Technology 300Cell Phone Use 300Eating or Drinking in Class 301Inappropriate Words and Comments 302Defiance 302Stealing 303Cheating 303Vandalism 304Verbal Abuse 305Violence 305Quick Review for Managing Inappropriate Behavior 306Section Fourteen: Working with Parents and Guardians 309The Expectations of Parents and Guardians for Their Child’s Math Teacher 309How to Make Parents and Guardians Partners in Math Education 310How Parents and Guardians Can Help Their Children with Math 312Guidelines for Helping Your Child with Math (Reproducible) 313Preparing for and Conducting a Successful Back-to-School Night 314Sample Back-to-School Night Information Sheet 316Parent-Guardian Sign-In Sheet (Reproducible) 318Conducting Successful Conferences with Parents and Guardians 319Parent-Teacher Conference Log Sheet (Reproducible) 322Dealing with Difficult Parents and Guardians 323Working with Parents and Guardians Who Speak Limited English 324Expanding Your Role as a Math Teacher 325Quick Review for Working with Parents and Guardians 328Section Fifteen: Keeping the Flame Burning 329Causes and Symptoms of Teacher Burnout 329Avoiding and Overcoming Teacher Burnout 331Becoming the Most Effective Math Teacher You Can Be 333Student Course Evaluation Form (Reproducible) 334Quick Review for Keeping the Flame Burning 336References and Suggested Reading 337Index 341