In a Class of Your Own

Essential Strategies for the New K–6 Teacher
Rhoda M. Samkoff - Educational Consultant, New Jersey
In a Class of Your Own
August 2010 | 80 pages | Corwin
Create Flyer

Purchase

eBook
ISBN: 9781452296425
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412986670
Available from January 0001

Description

"This book includes a wealth of practical ideas for the new teacher. Written from a mentor's point of view, it is an excellent resource with relevant topics, concrete real-life examples, and strategies that can be implemented immediately."
—Jane Ching Fung, Kindergarten Teacher/Mentor, Alexander Science Center School, Los Angeles, CA

The field guide you need to become an effective teacher right from the start!

A teacher's early years are marked as much by learning as by teaching. Unraveling the complexities of the students and the classroom can be a challenging process. This guide provides straightforward, practical, and upbeat advice for novice elementary teachers.

Based on her years of experience working with student teachers and new teachers, Rhoda M. Samkoff demystifies the early stages of an education career and offers strategies for handling situations new teachers are likely to face. The book combines examples from real classrooms and advice from experienced teachers to cover a wide range of topics, including planning effective lessons, dealing with specific student behaviors, and communicating with parents. Chapters include:

  • TIPS, or theory-into-practice strategies, that clearly outline workable solutions
  • Frequently asked questions that address common concerns of new teachers
  • Time-saving start-up materials, including forms, rubrics, and checklists

Filled with humor, wisdom, and encouragement throughout, In a Class of Your Own is like a mentor in your very own classroom.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • 1. Preparing
  • You Are Not Alone
  • Taking Care of Yourself Before Taking Care of Others
  • Keeping Your Sense of Humor
  • Defining Your Role as Teacher
  • Work Relationships
  • Community Connections
  • 2. Anticipating
  • Strategies for Preventing Common Mistakes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • 3. Organizing
  • Efficient Storage and Retrieval Systems
  • Purposeful Projects
  • Using Teaching Space Wisely
  • Health and Safety First
  • 4. Managing
  • Keys to Managing Groups
  • Exercise and Productivity
  • Planning
  • Handling Paperwork
  • Behavior Issues and Disciplinary Options
  • 5. Communicating
  • Miscommunication Happens
  • Meeting the Parents
  • The Parent Conference
  • 6. Instructing
  • Formulating Clear Objectives and a Plan
  • Differentiating Instruction
  • Review, Review, Review?
  • Motivating
  • ?Take Out Your Homework?
  • 7. Observing and Being Observed
  • Be Yourself? and Be Prepared
  • Learning by Observing
  • 8. Respecting
  • Providing for Differences and Disabilities
  • Cultural Diversity and Your English Language Learners
  • Teaching Values
  • 9. Reflecting
  • Self-Assessment: A Sign of Professional Growth

References and Additional Resources

References and Additional Resources

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"This book includes a wealth of practical ideas for the new teacher. Written from a mentor's point of view, it is an excellent resource with relevant topics, concrete real-life examples, and strategies that can be implemented immediately."
—Jane Ching Fung, Kindergarten Teacher/Mentor, Alexander Science Center School, Los Angeles, CA

The field guide you need to become an effective teacher right from the start!

A teacher's early years are marked as much by learning as by teaching. Unraveling the complexities of the students and the classroom can be a challenging process. This guide provides straightforward, practical, and upbeat advice for novice elementary teachers.

Based on her years of experience working with student teachers and new teachers, Rhoda M. Samkoff demystifies the early stages of an education career and offers strategies for handling situations new teachers are likely to face. The book combines examples from real classrooms and advice from experienced teachers to cover a wide range of topics, including planning effective lessons, dealing with specific student behaviors, and communicating with parents. Chapters include:

  • TIPS, or theory-into-practice strategies, that clearly outline workable solutions
  • Frequently asked questions that address common concerns of new teachers
  • Time-saving start-up materials, including forms, rubrics, and checklists

Filled with humor, wisdom, and encouragement throughout, In a Class of Your Own is like a mentor in your very own classroom.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • 1. Preparing
  • You Are Not Alone
  • Taking Care of Yourself Before Taking Care of Others
  • Keeping Your Sense of Humor
  • Defining Your Role as Teacher
  • Work Relationships
  • Community Connections
  • 2. Anticipating
  • Strategies for Preventing Common Mistakes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • 3. Organizing
  • Efficient Storage and Retrieval Systems
  • Purposeful Projects
  • Using Teaching Space Wisely
  • Health and Safety First
  • 4. Managing
  • Keys to Managing Groups
  • Exercise and Productivity
  • Planning
  • Handling Paperwork
  • Behavior Issues and Disciplinary Options
  • 5. Communicating
  • Miscommunication Happens
  • Meeting the Parents
  • The Parent Conference
  • 6. Instructing
  • Formulating Clear Objectives and a Plan
  • Differentiating Instruction
  • Review, Review, Review?
  • Motivating
  • ?Take Out Your Homework?
  • 7. Observing and Being Observed
  • Be Yourself? and Be Prepared
  • Learning by Observing
  • 8. Respecting
  • Providing for Differences and Disabilities
  • Cultural Diversity and Your English Language Learners
  • Teaching Values
  • 9. Reflecting
  • Self-Assessment: A Sign of Professional Growth

References and Additional Resources

References and Additional Resources

Index

Index

Additional materials

SAGE Publishing Logo

In a Class of Your Own

Essential Strategies for the New K–6 Teacher


August 2010 | 80 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412986670 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452296425 $35.00

"This book includes a wealth of practical ideas for the new teacher. Written from a mentor's point of view, it is an excellent resource with relevant topics, concrete real-life examples, and strategies that can be implemented immediately."
—Jane Ching Fung, Kindergarten Teacher/Mentor, Alexander Science Center School, Los Angeles, CA

The field guide you need to become an effective teacher right from the start!

A teacher's early years are marked as much by learning as by teaching. Unraveling the complexities of the students and the classroom can be a challenging process. This guide provides straightforward, practical, and upbeat advice for novice elementary teachers.

Based on her years of experience working with student teachers and new teachers, Rhoda M. Samkoff demystifies the early stages of an education career and offers strategies for handling situations new teachers are likely to face. The book combines examples from real classrooms and advice from experienced teachers to cover a wide range of topics, including planning effective lessons, dealing with specific student behaviors, and communicating with parents. Chapters include:

  • TIPS, or theory-into-practice strategies, that clearly outline workable solutions
  • Frequently asked questions that address common concerns of new teachers
  • Time-saving start-up materials, including forms, rubrics, and checklists

Filled with humor, wisdom, and encouragement throughout, In a Class of Your Own is like a mentor in your very own classroom.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Introduction
  • 1. Preparing
  • You Are Not Alone
  • Taking Care of Yourself Before Taking Care of Others
  • Keeping Your Sense of Humor
  • Defining Your Role as Teacher
  • Work Relationships
  • Community Connections
  • 2. Anticipating
  • Strategies for Preventing Common Mistakes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • 3. Organizing
  • Efficient Storage and Retrieval Systems
  • Purposeful Projects
  • Using Teaching Space Wisely
  • Health and Safety First
  • 4. Managing
  • Keys to Managing Groups
  • Exercise and Productivity
  • Planning
  • Handling Paperwork
  • Behavior Issues and Disciplinary Options
  • 5. Communicating
  • Miscommunication Happens
  • Meeting the Parents
  • The Parent Conference
  • 6. Instructing
  • Formulating Clear Objectives and a Plan
  • Differentiating Instruction
  • Review, Review, Review?
  • Motivating
  • ?Take Out Your Homework?
  • 7. Observing and Being Observed
  • Be Yourself? and Be Prepared
  • Learning by Observing
  • 8. Respecting
  • Providing for Differences and Disabilities
  • Cultural Diversity and Your English Language Learners
  • Teaching Values
  • 9. Reflecting
  • Self-Assessment: A Sign of Professional Growth
  • References and Additional Resources
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

“This book includes a wealth of practical ideas for the new teacher. Written from a mentor's point of view, it is an excellent resource with relevant topics, easy to read, rich with concrete real-life examples, and filled with strategies that can be implemented immediately.”
Jane Ching Fung, Kindergarten Teacher/Mentor, Alexander Science Center School, Los Angeles, CA
“The contributions from this delightful, caring, mentor-on-the side approach will assure the new educator that all issues can be addressed by working together with resources already available—including this book! The practical T.I.P.S. are a teacher’s gold mine. The book offers a great balance of useful information—very pleasing to the busy teacher’s time palate.”
Cathern Wildey, Adjunct Professor of Education, Nova Southeastern University
“This is a wonderful guide for new teachers. The anecdotes from actual classroom situations help develop a connection between the author and the novice teacher. This helpful guide is practical, upbeat, and the ideas are easy to implement. Everyone needs a positive coach to encourage his/her development as an excellent teacher!"
Patricia Palmer, Sixth-Grade Teacher, Wynford School, Bucyrus, OH

Recommendations