Prepared Classroom: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn takes the guesswork out of creating consistent, clear classroom expectations. It's all about helping students understand what's expected and when, freeing up their minds to engage with the learning.
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Our tried-and-tested methods provide a road map for behavior management that moves beyond rewards and consequences and instead focuses on engagement and learning.
Prepared Classroom: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn is a practical guide filled with lessons that make it easier for all teachers to establish classroom expectations and routines that truly work.
It can feel overwhelming to balance content, classroom management, and daily routines. This book will take some of that pressure off by giving you predesigned lessons tailored to teach classroom expectations so that they are clear from the start! With this structure in place, your students can focus on learning without the distractions of uncertain routines, freeing their minds (and yours) to dive into meaningful, engaging work.
It may be time for a refresh of your beginning of the year plans. This book is here to help you quickly and effectively set the tone for a successful year. With everyone on the same page, expectations across classrooms become consistent, creating a seamless experience for students and building a cohesive school culture.
We wrote this book to answer the question, "How do we teach routines that keep the focus on learning instead of behavior?" This book will provide you with solid foundation of lessons you can use to build a supportive, engaged classroom from the very start. Instead of scrambling to figure out what to do, you can walk in ready to teach, knowing you have a plan for establishing routines and expectations that support real learning.
If you're an administrator, you know the impact a structured, evidence-based approach to classroom management can have. With this book, teachers have a go-to resource for setting routines and expectations that align with proven practices. The consistent use of these methods across grade levels results in confident, engaged students and fewer daily disruptions. You can count on Prepared Classroom: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn to support teachers at every level, helping them establish a positive learning environment that's both structured and flexible.
As you prepare your students for the complexities of the classroom, this book will be a valuable addition to their toolkit. Prepared Classroom offers a structured, evidence-based guide to help pre-service teachers manage student behavior and foster engagement right from the beginning, giving them the confidence and energy they'll need to focus on content and connection with their students.
Let us take you back to where it all began. One afternoon, Allison's daughter, Samantha, was deep into her teaching program and gearing up for her first classroom experience. As she reflected on what she had learned and what was still unknown, she said something that stuck with us: "I feel ready to teach, but I don't feel ready for all the day-to-day stuff. How do I get kids to understand the routines of the classroom? How do I manage all the little things no one tells you about?" That moment lit a fire in us.
We knew Samantha wasn't alone. So many teachers, whether they're fresh out of college or years into their career, feel that same uncertainty—how to set routines that stick, how to manage the whirlwind of classroom life, and, most importantly, how to keep students engaged without feeling overwhelmed. It was clear there was a gap, and we were determined to fill it.
We didn't just want to give you another book to add to your pile of "someday I'll get to it" resources. No, we wanted to create something that would be your go-to guide—the kind of book you pick up again and again, not just at the start of the year but whenever you need a boost or a reminder of what works.
The first section of the book is all about YOU. It's packed with practical strategies to help you establish a positive classroom environment, engage students from day one, and create routines that make your classroom run like a well-oiled machine. We're talking about real, evidence-based practices that make teaching feel less like chaos control and more like joy-filled learning.
The second section? Well, that's where the magic happens with your students. We've created 52 ready-to-use lessons that cover everything from setting expectations to building independence in your students. It's designed to help you build a classroom culture where kids know what's expected and how to thrive in their learning space—all while keeping things fun and engaging.
Gail is a renowned educator, best-selling author, and co-creator of the Daily 5 Framework and CAFE Literacy System. As founder and CEO of Teach Daily, she supports educators through an online resource library and professional development. Gail empowers teachers to individualize instruction, boost student independence, and prioritize purpose in their teaching. She collaborates with schools. coaches, and teachers to foster effective learning environments.
A dynamic teacher, writer, and speaker, Allison inspires educators to reimagine their teaching practices, engage deeply with their students, and continually strive for professional growth. Co-author of The CAFE Book, and Prepared Classroom, she teaches graduate courses at Upper Iowa University, is the primary writer for the Teach Daily resource library and works with Teach Daily to foster critical thinking and innovative instructional practices.
Every teacher deserves a classroom where students know what’s expected, routines run smoothly, and engagement is at its highest.
At Teach Daily, we provide effective teaching methods and resources so any teacher can learn how to build the skills and confidence to recognize and meet the needs of all their students—daily.
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