Starting Strong

An ideal survival guide for novice teachers, Starting Strong helps new teachers gain confidence and competence to flourish and reduce stress during the first teaching year. The authors provide time-tested strategies and guidelines for designing curriculum and instruction, classroom layout suggestions for an optimal learning environment, and frameworks for establishing procedures that promote positive individual and group behavior. This invaluable handbook also offers: methods for effective assessment, samples of oral and written communication for parents and colleagues, ways to create classroom newsletters, techniques for using web sites for interactive learning and reflection questions for teachers at the end of each chapter

Kristen J. Nelson is the author of numerous books in the education field, including Teaching in the Digital Age and Developing Students' Multiple Intelligences. She works for a large suburban school district in Orange County, California. Nelson has been an elementary and middle school teacher before becoming an educational administrator.

Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
1. Teacher as a Creator of Classroom Environment
2. Teacher as a Manager of the Classroom
3. Teacher as a Designer of Instruction
4. Teacher as an Assessor
5. Teacher as a Promoter of Literacy
6. Teacher as a Facilitator and Guide for Learning
7. Teacher as a Relationship Builder
8. Teacher as a Communicator
9. Teacher as a Learner
Conclusion: Finding Your Own Style and Voice
Bibliography
Index