Keys to the Secondary Classroom
A Teacher’s Guide to the First Months of School

Edited by:

Rain Bongolan - New Teacher Center
Ellen Moir - New Teacher Center
Wendy Baron - New Teacher Center

Other Titles in:
Classroom Management & Student Behavior | High School Teaching Methods | Teacher Induction

December 2009 | 288 pages | Corwin

Preparing adolescent students for the increasing demands of our world is a complex and challenging activity. This user-friendly book for secondary school teachers is designed to help make your teaching life easier and, in the process, improve academic success for your students.

The authors provide a firm foundation for classroom management, lesson planning, assessment, and offer invaluable tips for setting expectations for student behaviour, establishing clear procedures for homework, and communicating with parents and the outside community.

Readers will find two chapters dedicated to lesson planning for mathematics and humanities curriculum, chock full of reproducible forms ready to use in the classroom. Teachers will appreciate the way Keys for the Secondary Classroom demystifies the steps it takes to become an exemplary secondary school teacher.

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction

1. The Adolescent Learner: Key Questions About Adolescents and "Win-Win" Teacher Responses

2. The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Started

3. Rules, Routines, and Procedures: Basics for Daily Classroom Management

4. Community and Team Building: Activities for the Secondary Classroom

5. Big Picture Guide to Standards-Based Curriculum and Instruction

6. Strategies for Daily Lesson Planning and Student Engagement

7. Planning for the First Two Weeks of Math Class: Lesson Plans for Mathematics

8. Planning for the First Two Weeks of English and Social Studies Class: Lesson Plans for English and Social Studies Core

9. Supporting Secondary Students to Read Subject Matter Text

10. Teaching for English Language Learner Success: Key Ideas and Strategies for All Secondary Teachers

11. Assessment of Student Learning: Monitoring Students' Progress

12. Communication With Parents: Maintaining That Vital Link

Epilogue: Sustaining a Passion for Teaching

Appendix: Sample Class Guidelines Letter

Key Resources for Secondary Teachers

References

Index

"The suggestions and tips give teachers a solid start to their year and help their students achieve. This book has a unique focus on secondary teachers."

Janet Crews, Secondary Instructional Coordinator

Clayton School District, MO

"The author not only describes the characteristics of an adolescent learner, but also how to address their unique needs."

Lori L. Grossman, Instructional Coordinator, ECH and Mentoring

Houston Independent School District, TX

"A blueprint for successful teaching; an entire year of teaching methods in one volume. This book is jam-packed with practical, useful forms to guarantee a meaningful year for both the students and especially the teacher!"

Ronald W. Poplau, Social Studies Teacher

Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, KS

"Very complete coverage of the many diverse situations and tasks teachers need to think about and plan out before students arrive. The suggestions in this book assist teachers in proactively setting themselves up for success. This book is chock full of great strategies to help students internalize their learning, and all needed materials are provided."

Kathy Tritz-Rhodes, Principal

Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn School, IA

Preview this book

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Sample Materials & Chapters

Bongolan_Keys_Secondary_Class_intro

Bongolan_Keys_Secondary_Class_ch1

Lorraine (Rain) S. Bongolan

Rain S. Bongolan has supported over 120 beginning secondary teachers as a mentor for the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project. Her contributions to the profession reflect 22 years of teaching history and English at the middle and high school levels, and her dedication to ensuring students’ access to rigorous, culturally responsive instruction. For three years, Bongolan directed and codesigned the New Teacher Center’s ELL Institute, one of California’s 24 professional development institutes. Bongolan consults with national organizations as well as state school districts working to improve instructional practices in adolescent literacy and English... More About Author

Ellen R. Moir

Ellen Moir is founder and executive director of the New Teacher Center, which is committed to the development of an inspired, dedicated, and highly quali¬fied teaching force by supporting new teachers as they enter the profession. For more than 20 years, she has pioneered innovative approaches to new teacher development, research on new teacher practice, and the design and administration of teacher induction programs. Moir continues to work with the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project and is an advocate for new teachers across the country. Moir has received national recognition for her work, including the Harold W. McGraw, Jr.... More About Author

Wendy E. Baron

Wendy Baron has taught Grades K-6, served as a Title I reading specialist, supervised and instructed prospective teachers at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), and for the past 20 years, she has worked directly with new teachers and principals in Grades K-12. As associate director with the New Teacher Center, Baron oversees the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project, which supports over a 1,000 new teachers annually. She also consults with school districts throughout California and nationally on mentoring, teacher induction, and designing professional development for beginning teachers. Baron has extensive experience... More About Author

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