Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY Needs to Know

Otis Kriegel is a seventeen-year veteran teacher, having taught in dual language (Spanish/English and German/English), monolingual, and integrated co-teaching (ICT) classrooms in the public schools of Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Berlin, Germany.For the past three years, he taught at the JFK School in Berlin, where he also developed a teacher coaching program. He received his M.S.Ed. in bilingual education from the Bank Street College of Education and has taught at the Steinhardt School at New York University. Otis has also been a guest lecturer at the Bank Street College of Education, City College of New York, and Touro College.He created the workshop, “How to Survive Your First Years Teaching & Have a Life,” which was the impetus for his book. An experienced presenter, Otis has conducted this workshop with hundreds of preservice and new teachers and continues to present in universities and teacher education programs.Otis lives in New York City.

“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.”

• Introduction: Welcome to the Front LineBEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR 1. Making Your Classroom Work for You Room Design and Traffic PatternsThe Teacher’s DeskThe Meeting Area So Many Supplies and So Little RoomBackpacks and JacketsRain and Snow WearLunch BoxesDecoratingClassroom LibraryGetting BooksOrganization Manipulatives and Other SuppliesDon’t Forget a PadlockYour Lesson Plan BookStay Comfortable: Clothes and ShoesSetting Up for the Year, Not the Moment2. Learning Your School’s Culture Who You Need to Know: The Big FourThe Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, or School SecretaryThe CustodianYour Teacher Representative (or Union Representative)The PrincipalFinding a MentorOther Important PeopleThe Art of the Stolen IdeaDay-to-Day Routines and RulesAbsence and LatenessSickness and SubstitutesWalking the HallsRestroom PoliciesLunchtimeInclement Weather ProcedureCommunicationLet Them Know Before You GoTechnology and InternetMorning Drop-OffAfter-School RoutinesField TripsCopiesBulletin BoardsTeaching and Student AssessmentTeacher AssessmentReport CardsGetting to Know the ParentsFirst Day of School Note HomeBack to School Night or Meet the Teacher NightParent-Teacher ConferencesPTA/PTOResponsibilities Beyond the ClassroomCommitteesMeetings, Conferences, and Professional DevelopmentFundraisersGraduationHolidays and BirthdaysSchool Performances, Trips, and FunctionsCalendar of EventsEmergencies and DrillsA School Where You Fit—And That Fits You3. Setting Up for a Terrific Year The Daily ScheduleThe Lesson PlanThe Morning MeetingMorning Independent WorkExtra WorksheetsOrganizing Student WorkStudent PortfoliosHomeworkWhy Give Homework?The Homework FolderThe Homework NotebookThe Homework Folder BinThe Homework Record BookChecking In HomeworkReturning HomeworkThe Scrap Paper BinRecycling Paperwork  The File CabinetPencilsThe New StudentIEPs and Special EducationWorking with SpecialistsYou Don’t Need to Be a Genius to Use an Interactive WhiteboardThe InternetPrepare, Learn, and TeachDURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 4. Working with StudentsCubbies or Desks? Seat AssignmentsManaging School SuppliesManaging in the First DaysManaging Throughout the YearManaging Unwanted Donations Is Raising Hands Too Old-Fashioned?I Can’t Get Their Attention!TransitionsClass Guidelines and ToneConsistencyStudent InputReward SystemsConsequences for MisbehaviorEmpathizeBehavior Contract Behavior Modifications (B-Mods) Community BuildingCelebrate Your Students’ WorkTeaching Whole Class, Small Groups, and One-on-OneWhole ClassSmall GroupsOne-on-OneGetting Your Class into the World: Tips for Field TripsPlan for the SeasonTraveling with Your ClassDid You Talk to All of Your Students Today? When the Rubber Hits the Road, Be Flexible5. Working with Your Principal Try to Solve the Problem on Your OwnPrincipals Need Your Help, Too1. Keep Your Principal Informed2. Share Ideas and Opinions3. Take on Extra TasksWhat Principals Can Do for You Making Friends with Your BossYOUR STUDENTS’ FAMILIES6. The Parent-Teacher Relationship What You Want from ParentsWhat Parents Want from YouWhat Might Make Parents Unhappy with YouMethods of CommunicationEmailClass WebsitePhone CallsNotes HomeWhen Is a Phone Call or Meeting Best?A Mutually Beneficial Relationship7. Communicating with Families The First Day of School Note HomeInformation About YouAttendanceCommunicationArrival and DismissalVital InformationLocal Walking Field Trip Permission SlipLunch and SnackHomeworkPhysical EducationArtField TripsSuppliesWish ListThe Weekly Note HomeParents, Their Child, Social Media, and Your Classroom Getting on the Same Page8. When Families Come into the Classroom Encouraging InvolvementThe Classroom Door: Your Parent Visitation PolicyWhen Is a Good Time to Visit?Angry Parent VisitsThe Smooth Meet the Teacher NightPreparing for the EveningGetting Through the EveningSharing Bad NewsGetting Yourself Through the Pile: Report CardsParent-Teacher ConferencesMaking a Schedule That WorksWho Should Come to the Conference?Share the Report Card Before the MeetingWhat Do I Say During the Conference?Your Volunteer SquadVolunteering in ClassVolunteering on a Field TripBefriending a Parent: A Good or Bad Idea?Working with Parents Is a Big Part of the JobYOUR LIFE AS A TEACHER9. Managing the Workload Leave It at School!One Week Ahead: Lesson PlanningUnder the Magnifying Glass:How to Have an Awesome ObservationLet Your Class KnowDisplay the Schedule and Lesson PlansHave All Materials Ready Know Why You’re Doing What You’re DoingDifferentiate Be Ready with Past WorkBe YourselfStart—and End—with a BangManage Your TimeCurriculum and BehaviorDelegate: Get Help!Keep Your Perspective10. Balancing Your Responsibilities The Jobs Not Included in Your Job DescriptionThe Positive Influence: Your Exciting LifeThe Well-Rested Teacher vs. the Exhausted TeacherYou’re ReadyResources Acknowledgments Index About the Author