This book was recommended by many of my professors. I cannot emphasis the importance of making and keeping rules in the classroom. I've seen teachers lose complete control over their class and not have an idea of why it has happened or even think that there is something wrong. Once you have lost control over your class, it can take forever to get it back!!

Okay, I am a BIG softy. I have to force myself, at times, to send a student to the A.P.'s office and there are times when I struggle not to listen to the pleas of a student who has done something that requires discipline (like cheating on a test, constantly disrupting a class, etc.) This book, and advice from fellow teachers, really helped me get over my qualms on discipline!

With IDEA, inclusion, and the government's love of "Least Restrictive Environment", you will have a student who is labeled as Special Education. Each state has their own rules, each district has their own rules, and each school has their own way of working, but this book will give you an idea of what to expect when you are asked questions regarding a Special Education Student.

It's fun to begin class with an activity that is, well, fun. It will give the students something to think about as they come in and want to talk to their friends and goof off, and it will be something that is interesting to them and they won't see the questions as a chore or yet another boring assignment for them to do.

Okay, I know, this may seem a bit hokie; I really laughed the first time I heard about it, but guess what, the laugh was on me. The first time I did one of these activities, I stopped laughing and listened up. It works. It's really odd, but it works. And believe it or not, the students love learning them. Go figure!

We are now to the part that most first-year teachers are the most excited about: decorating their classroom! It's fun to dream and think up of ways to make the classroom unique and all yours. Quick advice: before you begin thinking about the perfect furniture, paint color, wall decor, etc., first begin by finding out what the rules are for decorating your classroom AND what the fire codes are.

Yay, you've completed your first year. There have been good times, and there have been some bad, but now it's over and it's time to make good use of that great perk of being a teacher: the long summer vacation. Now, you don't have to go to Ireland, it just happens to be one of my most favorite places in the world, but you do need to take a break from everything, before you begin your next year.