From Lesson Plans to Power Struggles, Grades 6–12

Straight talk about classroom management from new teachers who have developed solutions!

Offering authentic stories from novice secondary school teachers in urban, suburban, and rural districts with diverse students, this practical guide illustrates how new teachers can benefit from the experiences of their peers to resolve common classroom challenges. The author provides instructional and disciplinary cases, plus an expert analysis of each teacher’s successful strategies. The book includes:

• A table of contents with specific instructional/discipline topics for easy reference


• Ways to identify when problems are related to lesson delivery or discipline


• A glossary of terms and a resource list for detailed information

"As a novice teacher craving more and more knowledge about the elaborate and multifaceted world of teaching, I couldn′t wait to delve into the stories and techniques Zuckerman highlighted from other novice teachers. I found comfort in the fact that many of my teaching experiences were the same as other novice teachers. Zuckerman′s ability to provide exceptional techniques from lesson planning to discipline issues and overall effective classroom management strategies is by far the most useful information any novice teacher could ask for."
—Lecia Zulak, Science Teacher
Franklin Roosevelt High School, Hyde Park, NY

"An excellent resource for beginning and veteran secondary teachers, offering strategies that work to meet the challenges they encounter daily. I am recommending this book to my staff for reflection on how they address difficult situations and implement positive change."
—Joseph J. Mazzetti, Assistant Principal
Poughkeepsie High School, NY

Straight talk about classroom management from new teachers who have developed solutions!

Nearly half of beginning secondary school teachers leave teaching within three years and many cite frustration over classroom management problems as the major issue. This practical book illustrates how new teachers can benefit from the experiences of their peers to successfully resolve common classroom challenges.

Filling the gap between what is taught in teacher preparation programs and what actually happens in the classroom, the author presents authentic stories from novice secondary school teachers in urban, suburban, and rural districts with diverse students. Each chapter contains instructional and disciplinary cases, plus the author′s expert analysis of each teacher′s successful strategies. This reference guide includes:

• A table of contents with specific instructional/discipline topics


• Ways to identify when problems are related to lesson delivery or discipline


• A glossary of terms and a resource list for detailed information

Like a personal mentor, this invaluable resource gives new teachers the critical support for creating positive learning environments and developing thriving careers.

Foreword by Jean Lythcott, Phd

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Part I. Lesson Execution Problems

1. The Advantage of a Well-Planned, Activity-Based Lesson

2. When Your Lesson Plan Is Inadequate

3. When Your Lesson Is Boring

4. When Your Directions Generate Frustration

5. When the Activities You?ve Planned Don?t Fill the Allotted Time

6. Getting the Class Settled for the Start of the Lesson

7. When You Have a Persistently Noisy Class

8. When Your Normally Attentive Class Is Noisy

9. When the Class Misuses Instructional Materials

10. When Students Don?t Do Their Homework

11. When There?s a Threat to Student Safety

12. When There?s a Mishap

13. When a Tragic Event Affects the School Community

Part II. Discipline Problems

14. When a Good Student Violates a Minor Rule

15. When You Have a Class Clown

16. When Students Are Your Buddies

17. When You Have a Student Who Talks a Lot

18. When a Group Misbehaves (Or Is Likely to Misbehave)

19. When a Student Is Outspoken

20. When a Student Does Little or No Schoolwork

21. When a Student Seems Troubled

22. When Students Bully

23. When Students Cheat

24. When Students Fight

25. When You Find Yourself in a Power Struggle

26. When Your Student Has a Tantrum

27. When a Student Persistently Seeks Attention

28. When a Student Provokes the Class?s Animosity

29. When an Administrative Intervention Is Necessary

Conclusion: Becoming an Effective Classroom Manager

References

Glossary and Index of Technical Terms

Alphabetical Index of Practical Principles

Topical Index of Practical Principles

Index of Supplementary Concepts

General Index