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You Have to Go to School...You're the Teacher!
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You Have to Go to School...You're the Teacher!
300+ Classroom Management Strategies to Make Your Job Easier and More Fun

Third Edition


December 2007 | 200 pages | Corwin

Praise for the Second Edition:

"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
Former Superintendent of Schools, New York City

Praise for the Third Edition:

"This book speaks to rookie teachers, veteran teachers, and every teacher in between. Through sharing stories, modeling behaviors, and holding up a mirror, the authors convey in a lighthearted way the truth of what teaching is all about—creating a classroom environment that encourages both students and educators to strive for and experience success."
—Sue Hughes, Supervisor
Allegany County Public Schools, MD

Resolve classroom management challenges with more than 300 field-tested insights, tips, and strategies!

In the third edition of this bestseller, teacher, trainer, and keynote speaker Renee Rosenblum-Lowden and school counselor Felicia Lowden Kimmel offer beginning and experienced teachers an abundance of techniques for dealing with everyday classroom management issues. Blending their professional knowledge, common sense, and wit, the authors provide new strategies for:

  • Avoiding confrontations, defusing difficult situations, and encouraging honest communication
  • Empowering students by building their confidence and cultivating responsible behaviors
  • Getting students to complete homework assignments, come prepared, and stay on task
  • Working with parents and staff

This timeless collection of innovative ideas and teacher-tested methods is an ideal "mentor-in-a-book" that educators will use again and again throughout their careers.

Rapper Jay-Z Thanks Ms. Lowden for Inspiring Him

 
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
Johns Hopkins University

“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
Former Superintendent of Schools, New York City

"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
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

“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
Allegany County Public Schools, MD

"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
Midwest Book Review

I didn't adopt this book as I thought it would be a book I would consider as a recommended rather than a required read. It covers a lot of great ideas not all that I necessarily adhere to though.

Dr Julie Delello
Curriculum Instruction Dept, University of Texas at Tyler
October 19, 2010
Key features
  • Revised edition of best-selling title
  • More than 300 easy-to-find insights, tips, tactics, and strategies in one concise volume
  • Appropriate for beginning or veteran teachers
  • Expanded focus emphasizes special learners, resistant learners, growth, development, diversity, gender issues, homework, time on task, and more
  • New coauthor Felicia Kimmel brings expertise as a school counselor

 

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1


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