Teachers Resource Books

The best-selling First Year Teacher's Survival Kit gives new teachers a wide variety of tested strategies, activities, and tools for creating a positive and dynamic learning environment while meeting the challenges of each school day. First Year Teacher's Survival Guide: Ready-To-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities for Meeting the Challenges of Each School Day is packed with valuable tips. The book helps new teachers with everything from becoming effective team players and connecting with students to handling behavior problems and working within diverse classrooms.

The new edition is fully revised and updated to cover changes in the K-12 classroom over the past five years. Updates to the second edition include:

• New ways teachers can meet the professional development requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act
• Entirely new section on helping struggling readers, to address the declining literacy rate among today’s students
• Expanded coverage of helpful technology solutions for the classroom
• Expanded information on teaching English Language Learners
• Greater coverage of the issues/challenges facing elementary teachers
• More emphasis on how to reach and teach students of poverty
• Updated study techniques that have proven successful with at-risk students
• Tips on working effectively within a non-traditional school year schedule
• The latest strategies for using graphic organizers
• More emphasis on setting goals to help students to succeed
• More information on intervening with students who are capable but choose not to work
• Updated information on teachers’ rights and responsibilities regarding discipline issues
• Fully revised Resources appendix including the latest educational Web sites and software

From the Publisher

Praise for First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit

"Julia Thompson earns an A+ for her practical and comprehensive First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit. The veteran educator skillfully provides effective classroom-tested strategies to guide the new teacher through the possible problems and potentially stressful situations often encountered during that memorable first year of teaching This valuable resource provides a wealth of useful information that will help the teacher remain upbeat, confident, and motivated. First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit should be required reading for all new teachers!" - Jack Umstatter, English Teacher, Cold Spring Harbor High School (NY)- Author of the forthcoming 201 Ready-to-Use Word Games for the English Classroom, Brain Games!, Grammar Grabbers!, Hooked on English! and other teacher resources.

"Julia Thompson's First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit offers new teachers a variety of paths to help them not only survive but thrive. Her high professional standards are translated into clear, concise strategies written in a way that makes the challenges of teaching more manageable. Because I can think of no higher praise than I'd want Ms. Thompson to teach my daughters, I am pleased that her hard-earned wisdom is available to new and experienced teachers."- Dr. Margaret Hallau, Director, National Outreach, Research, and Evaluation Network Gallaudet University (Washington, DC)

"The First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit is a comprehensive guide filled with practical advice for new teachers. From detailing how to work effectively with students, colleagues, and parents to maintaining balance in personal life, this Kit covers virtually every concern and problem a new teacher may have. It even includes numerous helpful resources, such as online forums and education databases. The First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit can help new teachers not only survive but flourish, setting the stage for a successful and rewarding career." - Gary R. Muschla, former Sixth-Grade Teacher, Appleby School (NJ) - Author of Geometry Teacher's Activities Kit, English Teacher's Great Books Activities Kit, The Writing Teacher's Book of Lists and other teacher resources.

"First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit offers a true insight into handling the challenges of our profession. As a university supervisor with student teachers for over 12 years, I would make Julia Thompson's book mandatory reading for beginning teachers. Her approach to planning and classroom management is very relevant to today's students. This book will enable the new teacher to have a foundation for a stable, rewarding first year." - Pamela J. Edwards, Supervisor, Teacher Education Services, Old Dominion University (VA)

"I wish I had this Kit when I was starting out as a first-year teacher. It offers new teachers as well as experienced teachers a wealth of numerous tips and strategies, from managing time to creating a user-friendly classroom. There are suggestions for specific activities on how to start on that first day, including ice-breaking activities. The author's friendly voice speaks directly and clearly - you know that she wants every first-year teacher to succeed." * Cynthia Stowe, Consulting School Psychologist, Eagle Mountain School (MA) - Author of the forthcoming Spelling Smart!, Let's Write! and other teacher resources.

"I found Julia Thompson's First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit to provide it all. She has written a remarkable guide that any teacher will enjoy having. This Kit will help keep new professional educators focused on what is most important: the mutual positive development of their students and themselves." - Dr. David E. Hutt Superintendent, Buellton Union School District (CA)

"This survival kit is one of the best that I've seen for new teachers. This experienced teacher knows firsthand what new teachers will encounter that important first year in the classroom. She provides practical strategies and ready-to-use materials to make sure that the common pitfalls of discipline, organization, time management, lesson planning, grading and assessment, working with other teachers, and job burnout are avoided. Thank you for writing this book!"
- Darlene Mannix, Special Education Teacher, Crichfield Elementary School (IN) - Author of Character Building Activities for Kids, Life Skills Activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs, Ready-to-Use Activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs and other teacher resources.

"I can't think of anything this Kit doesn't have! It's common knowledge that the first year of teaching presents endless challenges and a plethora of questions. Thompson's First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit will prove to be an invaluable tool for new teachers. Seasoned teachers will love it for its new and innovative ideas. I would have one available for each teacher on opening day!" - Gloria Smith, Early Childhood Staff Developer, District 7, Bronx (NY)

"Julia Thompson is a hero among teachers. She has skillfully created an invaluable survival kit for new teachers that is filled with a wealth of expertise and wisdom. First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit has successful strategies that will help navigate new teachers through virtually every problem or situation they may encounter. With this resource at their side, new teachers will be better prepared, more effective, more efficient, and more positive educators. Every new teacher of the 21st century should have and read this book! " - Sherry Cameron, Resource Teacher, Richard B. Wilson K-8 School (AZ)

"First-year teachers - and veterans, too - will find an abundance of resources in this well-stocked survival kit. Julia Thompson's down-to-earth ideas are based on years of classroom experience, seasoned judgment, and a strong sense of professionalism. This book is like having a personal mentor to guide new teachers through the demanding process of becoming educators. Experienced teachers will also find fresh insights that can transform effective instruction from instinctive to intentional." - Elisabeth H. Fueller, Coordinator of Grants, Budget, and Resources, Isle of Wight County Schools (VA)

"What an extraordinary book! With this one resource, Julia Thompson addresses the needs of all beginning teachers. Elementary, middle, and high school teachers - both new and experienced - can find beneficial information on every page. Not only are there tips on how to manage the 'science' of education - seating charts, lesson plans, daily routines - but also on how to master the 'art' of this profession with sections devoted to classroom management, motivation, professional expertise, and learning how to be part of a team of professionals. Beginning teachers need this valuable resource. Certainly, in my early years of teaching, I could have benefited immensely from having this book on my desk." - Pam Leigh, English Teacher, Spotswood High School (VA)