Math Teacher's Survival Guide: Practical Strategies, Management Techniques, and Reproducibles for New and Experienced Teachers, Grades 5-12

Judith Muschla has taught mathematics in South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-five years. Gary Robert Muschla taught reading, writing, and math for more than twenty-five years in Spotswood, New Jersey. Erin Muschla teaches 7th grade math at Applegarth Middle School in Monroe, New Jersey.

Gary and Judith are the coauthors of The Math Teacher's Book of Lists, Hands-on Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Math Starters, The Geometry Teacher's Activities Kit, Math Smart, The Math Teacher's Problem-a-Day, and Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit, all published by Jossey-Bass.

The Authors.

Acknowledgments.

Section One: Embracing the Profession of Teacher of Mathematics.

Traits of GreatMath Teachers.

Meeting State Standards and DistrictMath Goals.

School Policies and Procedures You Need to Know.

Professionalism and Common Sense.

Professionalism Outside the Classroom.

Maintaining Your Professional Expertise.

Quick Review for Embracing the Profession of Teacher of Mathematics.

Section Two: Before the First Day.

Starting the Year Early.

Greeting Administrators, Colleagues, and Support Staff.

Getting a Head Start on Paperwork.

Your Schedule and Class Lists.

Seating Charts.

Setting Up Your Classroom.

Preparing for the First Day.

Especially for the First-Year Math Teacher.

Quick Review for Before the First Day.

Section Three: TheMath Teacher’s Tools of the Trade.

Basic Supplies, Materials, and Equipment.

Common Math Manipulatives.

Sources forMathMaterials and Manipulatives.

Technology.

Resources on the Internet.

Sources of Supplementary Teaching Materials.

Quick Review for the Math Teacher’s Tools of the Trade.

Section Four: Becoming a Valued Member of the Staff.

Working Effectively with Others.

Committees and Teamwork.

Working Together in Sharing.

Getting Along with Others in Your School.

Evaluations for Math Teachers.

Becoming a Mentor for NewMath Teachers.

After School and Beyond.

Quick Review for Becoming a Valued Member of the Staff.

Section Five: Organizing for Success.

Your Master Schedule for Organization.

The Value of an All-Purpose Binder.

Practical Routines.

Organizing Your Classroom.

Special Organizational ConsiderationsWhen Sharing a Classroom.

Necessary Information toMaintain.

Managing Your Paper Load.

Taking Control of Time.

The Importance of Effective Substitute Plans.

Quick Review for Organizing for Success.

Section Six: Planning a Great First Day.

The First-Day Basics.

Providing an Overview of Your Math Class.

Learning About Your Students.

Providing a Math Activity on the First Day.

Handing Out Texts, Workbooks, and OtherMaterials.

Quick Review for Having a Great First Day.

Section Seven:Managing YourMath Classroom.

Establishing Efficient Classroom Routines.

Achieving a Smooth Flow of Classroom Traffic.

Creating a ProductiveMath Class.

Helping Your Students Learn to Follow Directions.

Quick Review for Managing Your Classroom.

Section Eight: Building a Positive Environment for Learning Math.

The Physical Classroom.

Setting a Tone of Respect and Courtesy.

Preventing and Responding to Bullying.

Creating a PositiveMath Environment for Diverse Students.

Avoiding Gender and Ethnic Bias inMath Class.

Appreciating Cultural Diversity.

Helping Students Overcome Math Anxiety.

Quick Review for Building a Positive Environment for Learning Math.

Section Nine: Interacting with Your Students.

Maintaining a Professional Role with Your Students.

Getting to Know Your Students.

Guiding Students to Become SuccessfulMath Students.

How to Conduct SuccessfulMath Conferences with Students.

Preventing and Dealing with Helping Students Cope with the Pressures of Being a Student.

Quick Review for Interacting with Your Students.

Section Ten: Designing EffectiveMath Lessons and Activities.

Making Time for Planning.

Planning a Variety of Math Lessons and Activities.

The Foundation of SuccessfulMath Lessons and Activities.

Components of EffectiveMath Plans and Activities.

Types of Math Plans.

Overcoming Common Problems in Planning.

Incorporating Literature into YourMath Class.

IncorporatingWriting into Your Math Class.

Quick Review for Designing EffectiveMath Lessons and Activities.

Section Eleven: Providing Effective Math Instruction.

Being a Facilitator of Learning.

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Through Instruction.

Using Various InstructionalMethods for Teaching.

Fostering Problem-Solving Skills in Your Students.

Motivating Your Students.

Improving Your Instructional Delivery Skills.

Quick Review for Providing EffectiveMath Instruction.

Section Twelve: Evaluating the Progress of Your Students.

Devising a Fair System of Grading.

Ways to Assess Student Learning.

Preparing Your Students for Standardized Math Tests.

Evaluating Assessment Results.

Record Keeping.

Quick Review for Evaluating the Progress of Your Students.

Section Thirteen:Managing Inappropriate Behavior.

Addressing Inappropriate Behavior in YourMath Class.

Involving Parents and Guardians in Addressing Inappropriate Behavior.

Involving Administrators in Addressing Inappropriate Behavior.

TheMajor Incident Report.

Common Examples of Inappropriate Behavior and How to Handle Them.

Quick Review for Managing Inappropriate Behavior.

Section Fourteen:Working with Parents and Guardians.

The Expectations of Parents and Guardians for Their Child’s Math Teacher.

How to Make Parents and Guardians Partners in Math Education.

How Parents and Guardians Can Help Their Children withMath.

Preparing for and Conducting a Successful Back-to-School Night.

Conducting Successful Conferences with Parents and Guardians.

Dealing with Difficult Parents and Guardians.

Working with Parents and Guardians Who Speak Limited English.

Expanding Your Role as a Math Teacher.

Quick Review for Working with Parents and Guardian.

Section Fifteen: Keeping the Flame Burning.

Causes and Symptoms of Teacher Burnout.

Avoiding and Overcoming Teacher Burnout.

Becoming the Most EffectiveMath Teacher You Can Be.

Quick Review for Keeping the Flame Burning.

References and Suggested Reading.

Index.

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