Beyond Survival: How to Thrive in Middle and High School for Beginning and Improving Teachers (The Practical Guide Series) Paperback – 16 Mar. 2010

This book is invaluable because it gives real-world advice. When I was in a credentialing school, I had to buy books like Assertive Discipline and The First Day of School by Harry Wong. I was hired in an urban school and found that advice from both books didn't work. Then I discovered this book and found his advice to work. Some of them:- Don't list consequences. In my first year I listed sequential consequences (as advised in Assertive Discipline) and sure enough, students were exploiting loopholes as Mr. Rubinstein said they would. Now I follow his advice in dealing out consequences.- Not necessary to use hand signals to quiet the class (as advised in The First Day). Mr. Rubinstein's advice was eye opening. He says that students would quiet down if they respect you. Now I just tell the class firmly I need their attention. Before I was doing the hand-raising or hand-clapping thing and yes, within a week students were making a mockery of it (similar to his experience described in the book).- The section on planning shows that you need to carefully spent 1-2 hours planning for an one hour class. There should be enough activities in the lesson plan. He shows how he allocated and divided 71 minutes of planning for a 50 min class.The book is 171 pages but is dense with information because the print is small (not huge like in a lot of Ed books, such as those two listed above). I find myself re-reading this book to brush up on my teaching skills.

I admit I didn't read all this book. I bought it because of the author's other book, "The Reluctant Disciplinarian", which I think ought to be read by anyone preparing to teach in middle school or high school. It's practical advice and explanation, something sorely missing in the field of teacher education. You won't find this stuff in ed school. Google the author and check out his blog.

This book is WAY overpriced for the amount of information it gives (which you should already know anyway). For example, it explains how to ask questions - which any self-respecting teacher should already know from having Bloom's taxonomy pounded into their head.Don't waste your money - go to class, do your work, and use your head - you'll be fine without this book.

Great book for beginning teachers as well as veteran teachers! Well written and concise--valuable information given--will refer to it often!

An entertaining and informative book perfect for new teachers! As someone who is applying for Teach for America, I loved his honesty about his own experience.