You Have to Go to School...You're the Teacher! 3/e

Renee Rosenblum-Lowden has taught children and adolescents for more than 25 years in the New York City school system. Currently, she is sharing her love for teaching by presenting seminars and keynote speeches to new and veteran teachers throughout the country, as well as student teachers at various universities. She uses a sense of humor while arming them with great strategies for making classrooms safe and fun-while always being in control. She has devel-oped a curriculum called Prejudice Awareness, using consciousness-raising techniques and incorporating her training in conflict resolu-tion. She was selected by the NYC Board of Education to train teach-ers in this subject. Ms. Rosenblum-Lowden has conducted workshops for improving com-munication with children and adolescents, using non-confrontational strategies for parents and teachers. Having taught family living and sex education classes, she has unique insights into the needs of her stu-dents. Ms. Rosenblum-Lowden did her undergraduate work at Long Island University and studied at The New School for Social Research and New York University. She continues to be a social activist. She is a transplanted New Yorker who is now living in Colum-bia, Maryland, with her husband Michael and their dog, Susie B. Anthony. Felicia Lowden Kimmel grew up in Brooklyn, NY. She began her career in education as a high school ESOL and English teacher in San Francisco, before returning east to teach in the Washington DC area. She was selected to lead a Peer Mediation program at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. Her program received a great deal of attention and national praise after the tragedy at Columbine. She was spotlighted as a panelist for NPR's "All Things Considered", as well as a featured guest on WPGC's "Stop the Violence". After several years in this capacity, she joined the high school's guidance department, while still continuing her involvement in conflict resolution. Felicia has also worked with school districts faculties on understanding prejudice. Currently, Felicia is working as a school counselor in Montgomery County, Maryland. She lives in Olney with her husband Troy, their two daughters, Isabella and Lexi and their dog, Maggie.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Part I. Tips for New and Student Teachers 1. Odds and Ends for Beginners Put Loved Ones on Notice Your Students Didn't Sleep Last Night Either! The Mentor Teacher Dress Like a Grown-Up Students Do Get Crushes Overplan Flexible Personal Expectations Everyone Else's Plans Are Better The Clerical Work Blues Ask Teachers for Help Observing Other Teachers Teacher Negativity Just Say No Part II. Beginning a Winning Year 2. They're Not Here Yet Get to School Early Organizing the Room Put Up Diplomas Say Cheese Don't Be Caught Unprepared or Late Friendly, But Not Buddies First Name Versus Surname Personal Records Debate 3. They're Here The Rush to Seats Seating Ideas Don't Seat by Height or Gender Dealing for Groups Record Keeping Questionnaire Now and Later Cards What Is Your Favorite Subject? The First Day "Sneaker" Fun Introductions You've Got Mail Tangible Class Guidelines and Rules Let Students Set Rules and Consequences You Own the Limelight You Can Always Ease Up Sit With Your Students Greet Students at the Door Document?Document?Document Yowks! 5 Minutes Left End the First Day on an Up Note 4. They're Gone and You Survived! Everything Can Be Redone You're Not a Shrink You Can't Win `Em All Go Home and Chill Out Part III. Helping Students Be Responsible 5. Establishing Routines Creatures of Habit The Standardized Notebook The "Do Now"/ ?Warm Up? The Aim of "Aim" Class Wrap-Ups When to Give Out Worksheets You Teach, Not Videos Who Dismisses? 6. Have Them Come (and Stay) Prepared You Are Not the Supply Store Bless the Bargain Stores Collateral, Please Strings Attached Creative Pencils The Sharpener Cover Pencils = Charity ?You Owe Me a favor? Swapping Scrap Paper 7. Homework Strategies The Importance of Homework The Homework Spot Numbering Homework Collecting Homework Hand in a Blank Sheet Sign on the Dotted Line Homework Buddies H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K Oops Pass Homework Penalty (With Room for Redemption) Homework Helper?You 8. Bathroom Breaks The Sign-out Book ?Can You Wait a Minute? ? The Visual Pass Secret Code Bathroom Coupons Respecting the Restroom It's That Time? 9. Empowering Students We Make Our Own Choices The Right to Pass The Sanctuary Tacit Approval One Is a Rat?Ten Is Power The "Many Kids Told Me" Fib Don't Call Home Softening the Call Home Tons of Quizzes Offer Choices Confer for Grades "Class"?The Collective Noun Independent Reading, With Twinkies! Go With the Roll Incorporating Fads Did They Learn What You Taught? Role Reversal/Role-Playing ?Am I Boring?? Classroom Suggestion Box A Fun Way to Limit Slang Don't Overcorrect Student Revenge: Your Personal Evaluation "Help, I'm Being Observed!" I Bragged About You 10. Setting Consequences Every Act Has a Consequence Coupons/Tickets/Marbles/ ?Money? Sweets or No Sweets Start With a 99% Conduct Sheets Torture Sheets When to Call Home Avoiding Confrontation 11. Preventing Showdowns Going on Automatic Everything Is Embarrassing Humor, Not Sarcasm The Biggest No-No: "Only Kidding" "Shut Up!"?Not! "I Told You So" Avoid Arguments Globalizing Choose Your Battles Start All Over Beware of Empty Threats No Spur-of-the-Moment Rules Set Up Winning Situations Plagiarism Don't Force Students to Lie Make Rules Specific: Narrow Them Down No Sides Time-Out No Comparisons Never Attack Personally Distractions 12. Alternatives to Yelling The ?Teacher? Look The ?Excuse Me? Smile The Lowered Voice The Art of Gestures Clap, Clap Hurry, Shut Out the Lights! Praising One Initials On Board Visual Commands "I Am Waiting" The Bellhop Bell Stop Teaching The Tardy Quiz Early Bird Special An Imaginary Friend Word of the Day R-E-C-E-S-S 13. Knowing Your Audience Group Dynamics Division of Labor Don't Play "I Gotcha" Deceiving Looks Kids Have Bad Days, Too Negative Attention Seekers Good Kids Can Do Bad Things Hold Students to Different Standards Too Much Push on Sports "Can We Really Be Anything We Want?" Audio or Visual? Check the Senses Respect Privacy A Secret Is a Secret, Unless... Ignore Reputation Permissive Versus Overly Permissive Cultural Differences What Language Is Spoken at Home? Quality, Not Quantity Confusing Neatness With Responsibility Describe a Fight to a Potential Pugilist The Sound-Off Minute Part IV. Showing You're on the Same Team 14. Communicating Like a Pro Acknowledge Feelings Never Deny Perception Use "I" Messages "Let's" Instead of "You" Interchange Gender Pronouns Limit the "You Shoulds" One-to-One How to Listen Make Limits Total Rather Than Partial State Rules Impersonally Vague Allegations Describe What You See (or Don?t See) Pick a Rule and Stick to It Stay Simple: One Word or Sentence Will Do The Desk Drummer Would You Talk to an Adult That Way? Don't Futurize Paraphrase Don't Mix Criticism With Praise Cursing ? Yes or No? Forced Apologies Not Accepted The Double Message What Would Another Teacher Tell Me? 15. Being Fair Admit When You Are Wrong Admit When You Don't Know Something Never Break a Promise Never Demand a Promise "I'm in a Bad Mood" "This Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You" No "Boys Will Be Boys" Etiquette Pitfalls Please and Thank You Gauge the Amount of Homework 16. Bonding Strategies "I'm on Your Side" Being Vulnerable: Share a Giggle Relating Your Own Experiences Staying Neutral Those Special Few Minutes 15 Seconds of Fame Creative Excuses Bend the Rules Journals Read Aloud to Your Students Giant Calendar Celebrate Birthdays Catch the Spirit "I Thought of You" Morning Meetings Class Solutions Decorating Your Room?Again Thank Them for the Joy They Bring When All Else Fails, Buy Pizza Part V. Building Confidence Through Earned Praise 17. Self-Esteem Strategies Praise, Praise, Praise?But Don't Overpraise Acknowledge Improvements Overgrading Confidence Grading Enthusiastic Credit When Credit Is Due Put-Ups, Not Put-Downs Respect Uniqueness Leaders Need to Follow Don't Rush to Correct Call Home for the "Average" Student "I Knew You Could Do It" (and More) A Little White Lie "You're a Late Bloomer" Tracking Some of Us Can't Spell Wonderful Comments on Paper Post All Students' Work "I Got a 97%! What Did You Get?" Part VI. Safety 18. Personal, Physical, and Professional Safety To Touch or Not to Touch Face the Door Never Release a Student to a Stranger Never Throw a Student Out of Your Room Don?t Break Up Fights Screen the Videos Your School's Emergency Plan The Cafeteria Keep the Door Open You Are Neither a Pharmacist nor a Doctor Do Not Drive Your Students in Your Car Report Every Accident Trust Your Gut Feelings and Follow Instincts Go Home Already! Part VII. Using Your Support System 19. Working With Parents Meet Parents Right Away Send Home an Introduction Accommodate Parents Inform Parents Early On Tear on the Dotted Line Parents and the Internet Getting Parents Involved Special Relative Day Call Both Parents Students at Parent Conferences? Teacher as Middleman Parent/Teacher Conference Management Assuring Parents The Defensive Parent Parents and Homework Children as Dream Fulfillers Parents Knowing More Than You The Blame Game Don?t Stereotype Beware of the Answering Machine -*67 20. Working With the School Support Team Cover Your Back?When to Consult Your School Counselor or Psychologist Conflict Resolution Cooperative Teacher Input Buddy Teacher Other Teachers? Successes Confronting Other Teachers No Gossiping About Your Students Teacher Competition Do You Float? Field Trip Protocol Helping Substitute Teachers Preparing Your Students for Your Absence Evaluating Substitute Teachers Partnerships With Local Shops, Libraries, and Bookstores Getting Along With the "Boss" The Teachers' Union Keep Those Skills Sharp The Really Important People Part VIII. Parting Shots 21. See You Next Year! Is Teaching What You Really Want to Do? Keep in Touch The Portfolio Holiday "Blahs" Burnout Prevention Only a Few More Months 'til Summer Vacation Suggested Readings Index

"Rosenblum-Lowden's energy alone lit up the room, and with her inspiring words, experienced advice, and genuine care, our students could not have been more moved. She is gifted with the way she shares her knowledge, and it is no wonder she is a sought-after presenter. She is a beacon for so many." -- Lisa Twiss, Instructor "This book should be required reading for all teachers. The multitude of classroom strategies offers teachers invaluable insights and techniques." -- Michelle Fratti, Consultant, NYC Partnership for Teacher Excellence "All who attended our end-of-the-year celebration made a special effort to let me know how much they enjoyed both interacting with Rosenblum-Lowden and listening to her presentation. I am certain they will be referring to You Have to Go to School...You're the Teacher! for their entire careers." -- Andrea Mucci, Manager for New Teacher Support "Renee Rosenblum-Lowden is an inspiring writer who has a message for rookie teachers, veteran teachers, and every teacher in between. Through sharing stories, modeling behaviors, and holding up a mirror, she brings home in a light-hearted way the truth of what a career in teaching is all about-creating a classroom environment that encourages both students and educators to strive for and experience success." -- Sue Hughes, Supervisor "Packs in many important tips on classroom management challenges. All are common concerns: what's new here are new approaches and strategies to make the teacher's job easier." -- The Bookwatch, June 2008