Teaching on Solid Ground
Nuance, Challenge, and Technique for the Emerging Teacher
Dominic V. Belmonte
- Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
Purchase
Paperback
ISBN:
9781412924634
Available from
January 0001
Description
Find your footing and step into your future as a grounded teacher!
"I put down the book feeling proud to be a teacher."
-Sharon Elin, NBCT
Chickahominy Middle School, Hanover County, VA
"A book I will refer to often, as well as use for the teachers I mentor."
-Patricia Eggers, NBCT
Brown Deer School District, Glendale, WI
"Offers intellect, relevant statistics, human examples, teacher stories, witty analogies, practical solutions, and most of all, hope for those at any point in their teaching career."
-Sarah Earle, NBCT
Hampton High School, VA
Do you feel grounded at the "big desk" or are you still searching for your comfort zone? Join best-selling author Dominic Belmonte as he explores the essentials of instruction, curriculum, and classroom management. Using his trademark humor and encouraging style, and always keeping a clear-eyed focus on the rewards of teaching, the author discusses:
- 15 ways to master classroom pacing, tone, undertone, mood, and behavior
- 5 sample lessons using Socratic Seminar, inquiry science, Magic Math Box, and more
- Reflective approaches to important challenges, including high-stakes tests, bridging the achievement gap, and helping students deal with tragedy
Contents
Foreword by Martin J. and Patricia Koldyke
Foreword by Martin J. and Patricia Koldyke
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Author
- 1: Becoming and Celebrating Yourself as a Grounded Teacher: Five Requisite Precepts
- Precept 1: Recognition and Belief That the Quality of Your Work is a Matter of Life and Death to Your Students
- Precept 2: Immunity From the Toxic Cynicism of Your Colleagues
- Precept 3: Recognition That Your Words Matter
- Precept 4: Recognition That You Must Have a Reason to Be in Front of Your Students
- Precept 5: Give Them Hope, Rather Than Love
- 2: Fifteen Indicators of a Grounded Teacher: Classroom Nuances and Other Cues
- First Indicator: Avoiding Classroom Wheel Spinning
- Second Indicator: Being Comfortable With Time and With Questions
- Third Indicator: Attending the Lecture’s Funeral
- Fourth Indicator: Mastering the Art of Asking Questions
- Fifth Indicator: Planning Student Group Work Carefully
- Sixth Indicator: Being a Non-Contributor to Classroom Disarray
- Seventh Indicator: Knowing Speed Kills Everywhere, Even in the Classroom
- Eighth Indicator: Avoiding the Rudderless Class
- Ninth Indicator: Keeping an Ear to the Tone of a Classroom
- Tenth Indicator: Beware of Your Own Undertone!
- Eleventh Indicator: Avoiding Topic or Grade as Threat
- Twelfth Indicator: Using Compliments Adroitly
- Thirteenth Indicator: Prodding Gently (but Prodding Nonetheless!)
- Fourteenth Indicator: Holding Students Responsible for Their Own Learning
- Fifteenth Indicator: Holding Students Responsible for Their Own Behavior: “We Don’t Baby Our Babies Anymore”
- 3: Model Techniques of Exceptionally Grounded Teachers
- The Socratic Seminar Method for High School English Classes: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Tom Anstett, Lincoln-Way East High School, Frankfort, IL
- Getting Students Hooked Through the Power of Inquiry Science: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Jim Effinger, Naperville North High School, Naperville, IL
- Presenting Poetry To the Recalcitrant and Suspicious High School Student: The "Search for the Central Experience" Method
- The Magic Math Box and Elementary Math Approach: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Sr. Raeleen Sweeney, PBVM, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
- Literacy Travels: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Jim Sorensen, Chippewa Middle School, Des Plaines, IL
- Lessons in Loving Science and Children: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Carolyn "Mama C" Cyriaque, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
- 4: Further Nuances and Challenges for the Grounded Teacher
- When Tragedy Affects the Classroom
- Teacher Burnout: What It Is, Why It Is, Why You Must Combat It, or Leave Teaching Now
- State and Federal Testing and the Fight for a Teacher's Soul
- Bridging the Achievement Gap With Your Minority Students: A Conversation With Gloria Harper and a Summary of the National Study Group for the Affirmative Development of Academic Ability
- Epilogue: A Teacher's Poem, the Subjects of Fear and Resilience
References
References
Index
Index
Description
Find your footing and step into your future as a grounded teacher!
"I put down the book feeling proud to be a teacher."
-Sharon Elin, NBCT
Chickahominy Middle School, Hanover County, VA
"A book I will refer to often, as well as use for the teachers I mentor."
-Patricia Eggers, NBCT
Brown Deer School District, Glendale, WI
"Offers intellect, relevant statistics, human examples, teacher stories, witty analogies, practical solutions, and most of all, hope for those at any point in their teaching career."
-Sarah Earle, NBCT
Hampton High School, VA
Do you feel grounded at the "big desk" or are you still searching for your comfort zone? Join best-selling author Dominic Belmonte as he explores the essentials of instruction, curriculum, and classroom management. Using his trademark humor and encouraging style, and always keeping a clear-eyed focus on the rewards of teaching, the author discusses:
- 15 ways to master classroom pacing, tone, undertone, mood, and behavior
- 5 sample lessons using Socratic Seminar, inquiry science, Magic Math Box, and more
- Reflective approaches to important challenges, including high-stakes tests, bridging the achievement gap, and helping students deal with tragedy
Contents
Foreword by Martin J. and Patricia Koldyke
Foreword by Martin J. and Patricia Koldyke
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Author
- 1: Becoming and Celebrating Yourself as a Grounded Teacher: Five Requisite Precepts
- Precept 1: Recognition and Belief That the Quality of Your Work is a Matter of Life and Death to Your Students
- Precept 2: Immunity From the Toxic Cynicism of Your Colleagues
- Precept 3: Recognition That Your Words Matter
- Precept 4: Recognition That You Must Have a Reason to Be in Front of Your Students
- Precept 5: Give Them Hope, Rather Than Love
- 2: Fifteen Indicators of a Grounded Teacher: Classroom Nuances and Other Cues
- First Indicator: Avoiding Classroom Wheel Spinning
- Second Indicator: Being Comfortable With Time and With Questions
- Third Indicator: Attending the Lecture’s Funeral
- Fourth Indicator: Mastering the Art of Asking Questions
- Fifth Indicator: Planning Student Group Work Carefully
- Sixth Indicator: Being a Non-Contributor to Classroom Disarray
- Seventh Indicator: Knowing Speed Kills Everywhere, Even in the Classroom
- Eighth Indicator: Avoiding the Rudderless Class
- Ninth Indicator: Keeping an Ear to the Tone of a Classroom
- Tenth Indicator: Beware of Your Own Undertone!
- Eleventh Indicator: Avoiding Topic or Grade as Threat
- Twelfth Indicator: Using Compliments Adroitly
- Thirteenth Indicator: Prodding Gently (but Prodding Nonetheless!)
- Fourteenth Indicator: Holding Students Responsible for Their Own Learning
- Fifteenth Indicator: Holding Students Responsible for Their Own Behavior: “We Don’t Baby Our Babies Anymore”
- 3: Model Techniques of Exceptionally Grounded Teachers
- The Socratic Seminar Method for High School English Classes: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Tom Anstett, Lincoln-Way East High School, Frankfort, IL
- Getting Students Hooked Through the Power of Inquiry Science: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Jim Effinger, Naperville North High School, Naperville, IL
- Presenting Poetry To the Recalcitrant and Suspicious High School Student: The "Search for the Central Experience" Method
- The Magic Math Box and Elementary Math Approach: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Sr. Raeleen Sweeney, PBVM, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
- Literacy Travels: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Jim Sorensen, Chippewa Middle School, Des Plaines, IL
- Lessons in Loving Science and Children: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Carolyn "Mama C" Cyriaque, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
- 4: Further Nuances and Challenges for the Grounded Teacher
- When Tragedy Affects the Classroom
- Teacher Burnout: What It Is, Why It Is, Why You Must Combat It, or Leave Teaching Now
- State and Federal Testing and the Fight for a Teacher's Soul
- Bridging the Achievement Gap With Your Minority Students: A Conversation With Gloria Harper and a Summary of the National Study Group for the Affirmative Development of Academic Ability
- Epilogue: A Teacher's Poem, the Subjects of Fear and Resilience
References
References
Index
Index
Reviews
Teaching on Solid Ground
Nuance, Challenge, and Technique for the Emerging Teacher
December 2005 | 176 pages | Corwin
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback | 01/02/2026 | 9781412924634 | $37.95 |
Find your footing and step into your future as a grounded teacher!
"I put down the book feeling proud to be a teacher."
-Sharon Elin, NBCT
Chickahominy Middle School, Hanover County, VA
"A book I will refer to often, as well as use for the teachers I mentor."
-Patricia Eggers, NBCT
Brown Deer School District, Glendale, WI
"Offers intellect, relevant statistics, human examples, teacher stories, witty analogies, practical solutions, and most of all, hope for those at any point in their teaching career."
-Sarah Earle, NBCT
Hampton High School, VA
Do you feel grounded at the "big desk" or are you still searching for your comfort zone? Join best-selling author Dominic Belmonte as he explores the essentials of instruction, curriculum, and classroom management. Using his trademark humor and encouraging style, and always keeping a clear-eyed focus on the rewards of teaching, the author discusses:
- 15 ways to master classroom pacing, tone, undertone, mood, and behavior
- 5 sample lessons using Socratic Seminar, inquiry science, Magic Math Box, and more
- Reflective approaches to important challenges, including high-stakes tests, bridging the achievement gap, and helping students deal with tragedy
Table Of Contents:
- Foreword by Martin J. and Patricia Koldyke
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- 1: Becoming and Celebrating Yourself as a Grounded Teacher: Five Requisite Precepts
- Precept 1: Recognition and Belief That the Quality of Your Work is a Matter of Life and Death to Your Students
- Precept 2: Immunity From the Toxic Cynicism of Your Colleagues
- Precept 3: Recognition That Your Words Matter
- Precept 4: Recognition That You Must Have a Reason to Be in Front of Your Students
- Precept 5: Give Them Hope, Rather Than Love
- 2: Fifteen Indicators of a Grounded Teacher: Classroom Nuances and Other Cues
- First Indicator: Avoiding Classroom Wheel Spinning
- Second Indicator: Being Comfortable With Time and With Questions
- Third Indicator: Attending the Lecture’s Funeral
- Fourth Indicator: Mastering the Art of Asking Questions
- Fifth Indicator: Planning Student Group Work Carefully
- Sixth Indicator: Being a Non-Contributor to Classroom Disarray
- Seventh Indicator: Knowing Speed Kills Everywhere, Even in the Classroom
- Eighth Indicator: Avoiding the Rudderless Class
- Ninth Indicator: Keeping an Ear to the Tone of a Classroom
- Tenth Indicator: Beware of Your Own Undertone!
- Eleventh Indicator: Avoiding Topic or Grade as Threat
- Twelfth Indicator: Using Compliments Adroitly
- Thirteenth Indicator: Prodding Gently (but Prodding Nonetheless!)
- Fourteenth Indicator: Holding Students Responsible for Their Own Learning
- Fifteenth Indicator: Holding Students Responsible for Their Own Behavior: “We Don’t Baby Our Babies Anymore”
- 3: Model Techniques of Exceptionally Grounded Teachers
- The Socratic Seminar Method for High School English Classes: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Tom Anstett, Lincoln-Way East High School, Frankfort, IL
- Getting Students Hooked Through the Power of Inquiry Science: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Jim Effinger, Naperville North High School, Naperville, IL
- Presenting Poetry To the Recalcitrant and Suspicious High School Student: The "Search for the Central Experience" Method
- The Magic Math Box and Elementary Math Approach: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Sr. Raeleen Sweeney, PBVM, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
- Literacy Travels: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Jim Sorensen, Chippewa Middle School, Des Plaines, IL
- Lessons in Loving Science and Children: Exceptionally Grounded Teacher Carolyn "Mama C" Cyriaque, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
- 4: Further Nuances and Challenges for the Grounded Teacher
- When Tragedy Affects the Classroom
- Teacher Burnout: What It Is, Why It Is, Why You Must Combat It, or Leave Teaching Now
- State and Federal Testing and the Fight for a Teacher's Soul
- Bridging the Achievement Gap With Your Minority Students: A Conversation With Gloria Harper and a Summary of the National Study Group for the Affirmative Development of Academic Ability
- Epilogue: A Teacher's Poem, the Subjects of Fear and Resilience
- References
- Index
Recent Product Reviews:
"Teaching on Solid Ground really is an overall ‘reader friendly’ reference and guide for becoming an ideal and appropriate teacher, very strongly recommended to all teachers, new and experienced, for its exclusive ability to relate to its readers and its deeply accurate reasoning for taking its recommended approaches."
Wisconsin Bookwatch, April 2006
"Belmonte offers advice on how to become a grounded teacher by advocating discussions instead of lectures and profiling the techniques of teaching veterans."
Class Notes, Spring 2006, Missouri State Teachers Association
"Offers intellect, relevant statistics, human examples, teacher stories, witty analogies, practical solutions, and most of all, hope for those at any point in their teaching career...what I am most impressed with is that the author does not continually blame the system or others but gently reminds us, chapter after chapter, that just as our students come to the pivotal point of taking responsibility for learning, we as teachers must look inward and reflect upon our responsibility to really, really do the teaching."
Sarah Earle, NBCT, Hampton High School, Hampton, VA
"Provides a resource for developing teachers to reflect on their current practices and craft, identify areas of strength and needed change, and provides a beacon for knowing when they are becoming master teachers."
Jayne Englert-Burns, NBCT, Pine Crest Elementary, Silver Spring, MD
"Offers encouraging, uplifting advice and support to help teachers remember the purpose and importance of their profession...The examples and vignettes offer a wealth of fresh, energizing techniques, along with ideas to pump life into stale and chalky routines. Thanks for the inspiration!"
Sharon Elin, NBCT, Early Adolescent Social Studies, Chickahominy Middle School, Hanover County, VA