Every teacher seeks to be an effective teacher. Every teacher wants to have a positive, remarkable, and lasting influence on students' lives. But what makes for an effective teacher? What role does teacher preparation play in teacher effectiveness? What do effective teachers do during planning, instruction, and assessment? How do they create a learning environment that engages and supports students? And how do effective teachers interact with their...

New college instructors often complain they are handed their working papers and office keys shortly after their appointments and then set adrift. Nilson (teaching effectiveness and innovation, Clemson U.) gives practical advice on preparing for classes, including ways to develop ironclad syllabi; setting expectations of and for students, including managing incivility; preserving academic honesty amongst a student population which is simply not interested...

In this book you'll learn how to : tap into your passion as a teacher - even when you're less than excited about the subject ; develop creative presentations that capture your students' interest ; establish rapport and a sense of camaraderie in your classroom ; transform your class into a life-changing experience for your students. --from back cover.

"In this volume, Routman continues the conversation she began in Invitations and further explores the full universe of an effective language arts and literacy program across the curriculum. Filled with an array of field-tested teaching ideas, detailed strategies, reviews of theory, teacher-crafted lessons, and lists of annotated resources. Conversations is all you need to become an informed, confident professional, sensitive to your students' needs...