Here are five books all new teachers should have in their collection.
Assertive Discipline, Third Edition
Assertive Discipline is often used as a college textbook to train new teachers how to implement The Assertive Discipline program, which focuses on building a caring, trusting learning environment where the consequences to specific behaviors are clearly discussed, modeled, and enforced. This is a great choice for new teachers worried about classroom management and discipline. Supplementary elementary and secondary education workbooks are also available.
Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known!
Let’s face it: Middle school is one of the hardest grade levels to teach. Students are willing to learn but completely distracted by peers, hormones, and changing social and technological boundaries. This book focuses specifically on middle school, and for any new teachers about to stroll the hallways of what used to be “junior-high school,” it’s a must-have. It is a manual filled with practical advice on how to motivate students, establish behavior management, survive the first day, and make good use of time.
The Skillful Teacher: Building Your Teaching Skills
The Skillful Teacher is also often used as a college textbook to train new teachers. The author, Jon Saphier, founded Research for Better Teaching (RBT) and has established specific strategies to help teachers provide high standards in academics, behavior, and classroom organization. Most of all, the book uses research and practiced approaches to prove that achievement scores and student performance often lie in the skills and beliefs of the teacher.
The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (ASCD)
Full-inclusion is a reality, and teachers are expected to use differentiated instruction to allow all students to learn at their own pace. But how? This book provides both new and experienced teachers with real-life examples of successful classrooms with differentiated instruction. Appropriate for all subjects and grade levels, Tomlinson provides sample lessons and units to model what proper differentiated instruction should look like.
The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher
Amazon claims that “over 3 million copies have been sold of the preeminent book on classroom management and teaching for lesson achievement.” The book discusses the best strategies begin the school year and continue to be an effective teacher throughout the year. The examples are simple, specific, and valid practices for all modern classrooms. This book makes an excellent gift for mentors to give new teachers before their first day. The 3rd edition also includes a 38-minute enhanced CD, Never Cease to Learn.
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Product Information:
Canter, Lee and Marlene Canter. Assertive Discipline, Third Edition. Solution Tree, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-1932127492.
Parks, Jerry L. Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I'd Known!: A Survival Handbook for New Middle School Teachers. Weekly Reader Teacher's Press, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0595330942.
Saphier, Jon, Mary Ann Haley-Speca, and Robert Gower. The Skillful Teacher: Building Your Teaching Skills. Research for Better Teaching. 6th edition, 2008. ISBN-13:978-1886822108.
Tomlinson, Carol Ann. The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (ASCD). Prentice Hall. Special Ed. Edition, 1999. ISBN-13: 978-0131195028.
Wong, Harry K. and Rosemary T. Wong. The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher. Wong Publications, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0962936067.
