The New Teacher Toolbox

Proven Tips and Strategies for a Great First Year
Second Edition
Scott M. Mandel - Pacoima Middle School, Pacoima, CA
The New Teacher Toolbox
May 2009 | 136 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781452273372
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412971355
Available from January 0001

Description

Praise for the first edition:

"Mandel has written a very practical, informative manual for new teachers. His examples for classroom standards, incorporating a variety of activities for diverse students, and teaching test-taking skills are right on target. For answers to fundamental questions and stress relief, Mandel's manual is a must!"
—Johanna K. Lemlech, Professor Emerita
University of Southern California

"An extremely practical and user-friendly time-saver. Rather than beating around the bush with pages of statistics, philosophies, best practices, and methodologies, this toolbox cuts to the heart of real questions burning inside new teachers. New and experienced teachers can benefit from the quick fixes presented in this plentiful toolbox."
—Leslie Gaillard, First-Year Teacher
Pacoima Middle School, Los Angeles, CA

A one-stop resource for all your first-year teaching needs!

This second edition is a concise yet complete guide for novice teachers, covering all the essentials for getting off to a good start. With new tips for everything from establishing an ideal classroom environment to making it through teacher evaluations, this revised edition helps you plan ahead with confidence, keep your perspective, and prepare for the unexpected.

The author introduces techniques by grade level, making the book easy to read sequentially or as a reference for specific situations. Written in a conversational tone, this completely revised edition includes an expanded section on Internet use and provides field-tested strategies on how to:

  • Encourage student participation and critical thinking
  • Establish fair grading practices
  • Modify instructional methods and curriculum for students with special needs
  • Increase parent involvement
  • Manage stress and maintain sanity

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction: What New Teachers Really Want to Know

Introduction: What New Teachers Really Want to Know

Part I. The Room Environment and the First Weeks

  • 1. Things to Do Before the School Year Begins
  • 2. Arranging Your Classroom
  • 3. Bulletin Boards
  • 4. A Helpful Binder to Leave for Substitute Teachers

Part II. The Curriculum and the Students

  • 5. Fairness and Critical Thinking in Classroom Discussions
  • 6. Teaching Five Hours of Material in Only Three Hours
  • 7. Keeping Students Interested
  • 8. Teaching Test-Taking Skills
  • 9. The Internet as the Ultimate Teacher Resource Center
  • 10. Discipline Issues

Part III. Grading

  • 11. Marking Papers and Promoting Self-Esteem
  • 12. A Beginner's Guide to Figuring Grades
  • 13. Rubrics
  • 14. Grading for Classroom Participation
  • 15. A Student Self-Esteem Check

Part IV. Parents

  • 16. Parent Involvement
  • 17. Parent-Teacher Conferences

Part V. Students Who Have Special Needs

  • 18. Modifying the Classroom Curriculum for Students With Special Needs
  • 19. Full-Inclusion Mainstreaming
  • 20. Students With ADD/ADHD and Classroom Management
  • 21. Preparing for a Special Education Class

Part VI. How to Maintain Your Sanity

  • 22. Making It Through Your Teacher Evaluation
  • 23. Ten Ways to Avoid Stress
  • 24. Putting It All Into Perspective

Further Readings

Further Readings

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

Praise for the first edition:

"Mandel has written a very practical, informative manual for new teachers. His examples for classroom standards, incorporating a variety of activities for diverse students, and teaching test-taking skills are right on target. For answers to fundamental questions and stress relief, Mandel's manual is a must!"
—Johanna K. Lemlech, Professor Emerita
University of Southern California

"An extremely practical and user-friendly time-saver. Rather than beating around the bush with pages of statistics, philosophies, best practices, and methodologies, this toolbox cuts to the heart of real questions burning inside new teachers. New and experienced teachers can benefit from the quick fixes presented in this plentiful toolbox."
—Leslie Gaillard, First-Year Teacher
Pacoima Middle School, Los Angeles, CA

A one-stop resource for all your first-year teaching needs!

This second edition is a concise yet complete guide for novice teachers, covering all the essentials for getting off to a good start. With new tips for everything from establishing an ideal classroom environment to making it through teacher evaluations, this revised edition helps you plan ahead with confidence, keep your perspective, and prepare for the unexpected.

The author introduces techniques by grade level, making the book easy to read sequentially or as a reference for specific situations. Written in a conversational tone, this completely revised edition includes an expanded section on Internet use and provides field-tested strategies on how to:

  • Encourage student participation and critical thinking
  • Establish fair grading practices
  • Modify instructional methods and curriculum for students with special needs
  • Increase parent involvement
  • Manage stress and maintain sanity

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction: What New Teachers Really Want to Know

Introduction: What New Teachers Really Want to Know

Part I. The Room Environment and the First Weeks

  • 1. Things to Do Before the School Year Begins
  • 2. Arranging Your Classroom
  • 3. Bulletin Boards
  • 4. A Helpful Binder to Leave for Substitute Teachers

Part II. The Curriculum and the Students

  • 5. Fairness and Critical Thinking in Classroom Discussions
  • 6. Teaching Five Hours of Material in Only Three Hours
  • 7. Keeping Students Interested
  • 8. Teaching Test-Taking Skills
  • 9. The Internet as the Ultimate Teacher Resource Center
  • 10. Discipline Issues

Part III. Grading

  • 11. Marking Papers and Promoting Self-Esteem
  • 12. A Beginner's Guide to Figuring Grades
  • 13. Rubrics
  • 14. Grading for Classroom Participation
  • 15. A Student Self-Esteem Check

Part IV. Parents

  • 16. Parent Involvement
  • 17. Parent-Teacher Conferences

Part V. Students Who Have Special Needs

  • 18. Modifying the Classroom Curriculum for Students With Special Needs
  • 19. Full-Inclusion Mainstreaming
  • 20. Students With ADD/ADHD and Classroom Management
  • 21. Preparing for a Special Education Class

Part VI. How to Maintain Your Sanity

  • 22. Making It Through Your Teacher Evaluation
  • 23. Ten Ways to Avoid Stress
  • 24. Putting It All Into Perspective

Further Readings

Further Readings

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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The New Teacher Toolbox

Proven Tips and Strategies for a Great First Year


May 2009 | 136 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412971355 $37.95
Hardcover 01/02/2026 9781412971348 $79.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452273372 $35.00

Praise for the first edition:

"Mandel has written a very practical, informative manual for new teachers. His examples for classroom standards, incorporating a variety of activities for diverse students, and teaching test-taking skills are right on target. For answers to fundamental questions and stress relief, Mandel's manual is a must!"
—Johanna K. Lemlech, Professor Emerita
University of Southern California

"An extremely practical and user-friendly time-saver. Rather than beating around the bush with pages of statistics, philosophies, best practices, and methodologies, this toolbox cuts to the heart of real questions burning inside new teachers. New and experienced teachers can benefit from the quick fixes presented in this plentiful toolbox."
—Leslie Gaillard, First-Year Teacher
Pacoima Middle School, Los Angeles, CA

A one-stop resource for all your first-year teaching needs!

This second edition is a concise yet complete guide for novice teachers, covering all the essentials for getting off to a good start. With new tips for everything from establishing an ideal classroom environment to making it through teacher evaluations, this revised edition helps you plan ahead with confidence, keep your perspective, and prepare for the unexpected.

The author introduces techniques by grade level, making the book easy to read sequentially or as a reference for specific situations. Written in a conversational tone, this completely revised edition includes an expanded section on Internet use and provides field-tested strategies on how to:

  • Encourage student participation and critical thinking
  • Establish fair grading practices
  • Modify instructional methods and curriculum for students with special needs
  • Increase parent involvement
  • Manage stress and maintain sanity

Table Of Contents:

  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Introduction: What New Teachers Really Want to Know
  • Part I. The Room Environment and the First Weeks
  • 1. Things to Do Before the School Year Begins
  • 2. Arranging Your Classroom
  • 3. Bulletin Boards
  • 4. A Helpful Binder to Leave for Substitute Teachers
  • Part II. The Curriculum and the Students
  • 5. Fairness and Critical Thinking in Classroom Discussions
  • 6. Teaching Five Hours of Material in Only Three Hours
  • 7. Keeping Students Interested
  • 8. Teaching Test-Taking Skills
  • 9. The Internet as the Ultimate Teacher Resource Center
  • 10. Discipline Issues
  • Part III. Grading
  • 11. Marking Papers and Promoting Self-Esteem
  • 12. A Beginner's Guide to Figuring Grades
  • 13. Rubrics
  • 14. Grading for Classroom Participation
  • 15. A Student Self-Esteem Check
  • Part IV. Parents
  • 16. Parent Involvement
  • 17. Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Part V. Students Who Have Special Needs
  • 18. Modifying the Classroom Curriculum for Students With Special Needs
  • 19. Full-Inclusion Mainstreaming
  • 20. Students With ADD/ADHD and Classroom Management
  • 21. Preparing for a Special Education Class
  • Part VI. How to Maintain Your Sanity
  • 22. Making It Through Your Teacher Evaluation
  • 23. Ten Ways to Avoid Stress
  • 24. Putting It All Into Perspective
  • Further Readings
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

Praise for the first edition:"Mandel has written a very practical, informative manual for new teachers. His examples for classroom standards, incorporating a variety of activities for diverse students, and teaching test-taking skills are right on target. For answers to fundamental questions and stress relief, Mandel’s manual is a must!"
Johanna K. Lemlech, Professor Emerita, University of Southern California
"An extremely practical and user-friendly time-saver. Rather than beating around the bush with pages of statistics, philosophies, best practices, and methodologies, this toolbox cuts to the meat of the real questions burning inside new teachers. I strongly encourage any new teacher who is feeling the stress of the first year to take a few minutes and read up on some of the issues that may be contributing to that stress. This book covers just about every issue or concern that one might have and will only save time in the end. In fact, all teachers, new and experienced, could benefit from the quick fixes presented in this plentiful yet to-the-point toolbox."
Leslie Gaillard, First-Year Teacher, Pacoima Middle School, Los Angeles, CA

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