Teaching is a lifelong challenge, but the first few years in the classroom are typically a teacher's hardest. This expanded collection of writings and reflections offers practical guidance on how to navigate the school system, form rewarding relationships with colleagues, and connect in meaningful ways with students and families from all cultures and backgrounds.

Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction: Why We Wrote This Book The Editors	p. 1
Getting Off to a Good Start
Time to Learn	p. 9
Q/A Should I try to be a friend to my students?	p. 19
How I Survived My First Year	p. 21
Q/A What should I wear to school?	p. 30
Teaching for Social Justice	p. 35
12 Tips for New Teachers	p. 39
Teaching in the Undertow: Resisting the Pull of Schooling-As-Usual	p. 43
How Jury Duty Saved My Career	p. 53
Creating Classroom Community
Building Community from Chaos	p. 67
Q/A How can I start building community in my classroom?	p. 82
'Brown Kids Can't Be in Our Club': Raising Issues of Race with Young Children	p. 83
Q/A What can I do when a student makes a racist or sexist remark?	p. 93
Framing the Family Tree: How Teachers Can Be Sensitive to Students' Family Situations	p. 95
Q/A What do I do when I realize I've made a mistake with a child?	p. 100
Heather's Moms Got Married	p. 103
Out Front	p. 111
Creating Chemistry in Sophomore Chemistry	p. 123
Creating a Literate and Passionate Community	p. 131
Getting Your Classroom Together	p. 139
Uncovering the Lessons of Classroom Furniture: You Are Where You Sit	p. 145
Curriculum, Standards, and Testing
Creating Classrooms for Equity and Social Justice	p. 157
'Curriculum Is Everything That Happens': An Interview with Veteran Teacher Rita Tenorio	p. 163
Q/A Where can I look for curriculum materials?	p. 168
Standards and Tests Attack Multiculturalism	p. 169
Q/A My students don't bring back their homework. Should I keep assigning it?	p. 180
Working Effectively with English Language Learners	p. 183
Q/A I hate the textbook I've been given to use. What can I do?	p. 188
Q/A How do I get started planning a teaching unit?	p. 190
æI Just Want to Read Frog and Toad'	p. 191
Q/A How can I get started using poems with my students?	p. 197
Teaching Controversial Content	p. 199
Q/A How do I get a student to redo an assignment?	p. 206
Even First-Year Teachers Have Rights	p. 207
Q/A How do I prepare for a substitute teacher?	p. 212
Testing Kindergarten: Young Children Produce Data-Lots of Data	p. 213
Q/A How can I prepare my students for a field trip?	p. 219
Dealing with Standardized Tests	p. 221
Reading Between the Bubbles: Teaching Students to Critically Examine Tests	p. 227
Q/A I'm totally nervous about being evaluated. And I just got a letter from my principal informing me I'm going to be observed! What should I do?	p. 236
Discipline: Rescuing the Remains of the Day When Class Doesn't Go as Planned
The Best Discipline Is Good Curriculum	p. 241
Discipline: No Quick Fix	p. 245
Q/A How can I help my students stay organized?	p. 250
The Challenge of Classroom Discipline	p. 251
From 'Sit Down!' to Stand-Up: Laugh Your Classroom Management Problems Away	p. 255
Q/A Do I have to spend my own money on classroom supplies?	p. 258
Making Rules	p. 259
Exile Has Its Place	p. 267
Helping Students Deal with Anger	p. 275
Making Change in the World Beyond the Classroom
Why We Need to Go Beyond the Classroom	p. 287
Q/A Should I leave the school I'm in?	p. 294
So What Is a Teacher Union Anyway?	p. 295
Teachable Moments Not Just for Kids	p. 303
Q/A What should I do if I suspect a student is a victim of abuse?	p. 310
'We Must Act as if All the Children Are Ours': An Interview with Parent Activist Lola Glover	p. 311
Q/A What should I do about the parent who keeps showing up in our classroom unannounced, or a parent who's upset and wants to meet with me during the school day?	p. 315
Unwrapping the Holidays: Reflections on a Difficult First Year	p. 317
Q/A What should I do if I am asked to take on extracurricular duties or coaching responsibilities as a new teacher?	p. 327
Getting Students Off the Track	p. 331
Moving Beyond Tired	p. 339
Action Education: Teacher Organizers Take Quality into Their Own Hands	p. 343
Resources
Other Resources from Rethinking Schools	p. 357
Contributors	p. 363
Index	p. 367
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.