"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)

Written by a master teacher with over 30 years of experience in both mainstreamed and special classes, the Handbook covers virtually every aspect of working with students with learning disabilities, from causes and assessment to classroom management and lesson planning.

You'll find diagnostic tools and remediation techniques for all types of learning disabilities specific interventions for specific problems strategies for building academic skills in all basic content areas and ways to improve motivation, participation, and self-esteem in even the most reluctant learner.

For quick access and easy use, materials are organized into 16 chapters and printed in a big 8-1/4" x 11" format that folds flat for photocopying of any page as many times as needed. Here's just a brief look at some of the specific helps in this resource:

Overview of Learning Disabilities provides background on the LD field and answers the questions of "What is it?" "What causes it?" "What is the prognosis of the person who has the condition?" and "What resources are available to help deal with the condition?"

Tools for Diagnosis and Assessment includes guidelines for identifying learning disabilities and make requests for testing advice on talking with parentsdescriptions of diagnostic tests suggestions for developing an IEP and lists of accommodations.

Early Childhood Education for At-Risk Students covers advice on special education services from birth to age five the components of an effective early childhood education program tips for parents of young at-risk children and parent-child activities.

Strategies for Classroom Management presents tips on how to prevent and handle misbehavior room arrangements that foster positive behavior guidelines on using rewards effectively types of challenging students and "20 Tips for Successful Classroom Management."

Solutions to Specific Problems gives you ready-to-use tools and techniques for helping students with visual perception and auditory processing problems conceptual difficulties memory deficits dyslexia attention deficits poor social skills low self-esteem poor work and study habits and common classroom problems related to LD.

Guidelines for Interventions in Specific Academic Areas features practical techniques, lessons and worksheets for teaching reading writing spelling math and speech plus graded word lists, alphabet cards, cursive writing activities, sample word problems, and more.

Adolescents and Adults with Learning Disabilities offers timely help on transition IEPs work-study programs services for students going to college teaching students to be their own advocates and adult education opportunities.
The Role of the Family includes tips on supervising homework helping at school worthwhile activities at home and counselor handouts for parents of children with LD.

In short, COMPLETE LEARNING DISABILITIES HANDBOOK, New Second Edition gives you an unparalleled source of practical, tested, up-to-date information and materials to help you ensure that all of your students can learn to their fullest potential!

Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Review
The world of college preparation has rumbled with seismic shifts in the last few years. The SAT has been completely revamped with a new writing component, college admissions counselors are rethinking how to weight standardized test scores against applicants’ other qualifications, and the application process is moving entirely to the Internet. These are only a few of the changes today’s teens confront as they look toward college. The books below will replace outdated volumes and inspire students as they put together post-graduation plans.
As its subtitle suggests, Admission Matters is an excellent introduction for both college-minded teens and their parents. Comprehensive and written in straightforward, clear language, chapters explore the current competitive environment surrounding college applications, what admissions counselors look for, and how to prepare for the new tests and put together an application package. There’s also advice specifically for parents (“What your child will remember long after the college admissions process is over is how you supported him or her”), information about early admissions and financial aid. Sample application forms and recommendation letters, as well as a long list of resources, are among the appended materials. The wealth of information, uncluttered format, and numerous boxed features, such as a checklist of things to do on a college visit, make this an essential guide. (Booklist, August 2005)