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Keys to the Elementary Classroom
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Keys to the Elementary Classroom
A New Teacher's Guide to the First Month of School

Third Edition


August 2008 | 224 pages | Corwin

"New teachers will love this step-by-step approach to setting up and managing a classroom while nurturing a community of eager and cooperative learners. The authors also provide a plethora of practical classroom activities for both new and seasoned teachers."
—Catherine Hernandez, Second-Grade Teacher
Detroit Public Schools, MI

"Proficient teachers are key to the future of education. This book is a great resource to help new teachers make their first year a successful one!"
—Janet Crews, Instructional Coach
Clayton School District, MO

Best practices to help you start the school year in a powerful way!

For elementary teachers entering the classroom for the first time, this updated edition of the bestseller Keys to the Classroom provides practical guidelines to help you build a foundation for a successful first year.

Written by a team of experts, this invaluable resource offers new teachers a daily structure and clear classroom procedures and activities to help establish a positive classroom climate and eliminate most behavior problems. This practical, easy-to-use guidebook includes lesson plans, tips for organizing the first day, and reproducible student worksheets in English and Spanish. The new edition features:

  • An added chapter on planning and creating the classroom environment
  • Voices of novice and experienced teachers
  • New assessments for students' learning styles and preferences
  • Revised instructional materials for English as a second language

With strategies that can be adapted across grade levels, ways to develop relationships with students' families, and resources for professional development, Keys to the Elementary Classroom, Third Edition, will help you get a positive start to the school year and a rewarding career.


 
Preface to the Third Edition
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
Phases of Teaching: The Ups and Downs of a First-Year Teacher

 
 
1. A Guide to Planning and Creating the Environment
Annual Planning

 
Midrange Planning: Getting to Know Your Students and Community

 
Daily and Weekly Planning

 
Room Arrangement

 
Environment Checklist

 
Preparation Prior to the First Day

 
 
2. Assessments
Assessment Overview

 
Assessment Forms

 
 
3. Routines and Procedures
Cardinal Rules of Classroom Management

 
Freeze and Listen

 
Cleanup

 
Procedures for Lessons, Groups, and Rotations

 
Strategies Regarding Behavior

 
Daily Ongoing Activities

 
 
4. The First Two Weeks of School...A Detailed Account
Overview of the First Two Weeks of School for Kindergarten and First Grade

 
First Two Weeks of School—Kindergarten

 
First Two Weeks of School—First Grade

 
First Two Weeks of School—Second and Third Grades

 
First Two Weeks of School—Fourth to Sixth Grades

 
 
5. Activities for the First Month
Community Builder Activities

 
Language Arts Activities

 
Math Activities

 
Other Activities

 
 
6. Fingerplays and Songs for Oral Language in English and Spanish
Attention-Getting Fingerplays

 
Inclusion Songs

 
Songs That Are Adaptable to Thematic Units

 
 
7. Home and School Communication
First Day of Kindergarten / Primer Día del Kinder

 
Donation Requests / Donaciones, Por Favor

 
Daily Snack Program / Programa Diario Del Bocadillo

 
Classroom Volunteer Request / Voluntarios, Por Favor

 
Homework Schedule / Horario de la Tarea

 
The Writing Process / El Proceso De la Escritura

 
 
Resource A: Bibliography for Teachers
 
Resource B: Read-Alouds, K-6, in English and Spanish

"New teachers will love this step-by-step approach to setting up and managing a classroom while nurturing a community of eager and cooperative learners. The authors also provide a plethora of practical classroom activities for both new and seasoned teachers."

Catherine Hernandez, Second-Grade Teacher
Detroit Public Schools, MI

"Proficient teachers are key to the future of education. This book is a great resource to help new teachers make their first year a successful one!"

Janet Crews, Instructional Coach
Clayton School District, MO

"A great book to keep on your desk throughout the year."

Maureen Maloney, Second-Grade Teacher
Lusher Charter School, New Orleans, LA

“This book is loaded with ideas and strategies, as well as suggestions for implementing these ideas!”

Melanie Mares, Academic Coach
Lowndes Middle School, Valdosta, GA
Key features

This resource includes:

  • Lesson plans
  • Classroom management strategies
  • Student assessments
  • Activities and songs in English and Spanish
  • Sample parent letters in English and Spanish

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1


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ISBN: 9781452295121

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ISBN: 9781412963695
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