Dianne Mierzwik, a long-time teacher and teacher trainer, has put together a book based on her own best practices of ways to motivate K-8 students and connect with their parents. Her ideas have been classroom-tested by herself and by the many teachers she's trained at in-service workshops. The book is full of ideas, strategies, and sample forms, documents, and letters that teachers can use or adapt for their own purposes. The author presents alternative ideas for adapting strategies and adopts an upbeat and enthusiastic tone to motivate teachers to use her strategies. Diane Mierzwik's strategies will improve the classroom environment, solve many classroom management problems, and keep students motivated, and most strategies require only a few minutes of a teacher's time each day. The research shows that parent involvement results in increased student achievement, so many schools are focusing on this component of school success. Includes guidance on topics critical to beginning teachers: } back-to-school night } parent-teacher conferences } parent volunteers } reaching out to uninvolved parents } talking to parents about difficult students and other problems } using E-mail as a communication tool time-saving tips } motivating even the most difficult students

'Record Keeping Made Simple provides excellent tips and would be perfect for both new and experienced teachers. I picked up a number of useful pointers that I had never thought of in my 28 years of teaching' - Sharon Jeffery, National Board Certified Teacher, Plymouth Public Schools, MA 'This book will help teachers deal effectively with students and parents, protect themselves with adequate and proper documentation, and improve student achievement. It's also easy to read and gets to the point' - Charles F. Adamchik, Jr. Director of Curriculum Learning Sciences International, Blairsville, PA Transform record keeping from a dreaded chore into a strategy for success! It's no secret that even the most successful teachers struggle to make the best use of their time. This enlightening text provides tips, strategies, and best practices for how all teachers-from novices to veterans-can find additional daily time while also improving documentation through better record-keeping management. Included in this resource are dozens of reproducible forms to assist teachers in maintaining accurate records, from lesson plans to records of parent-teacher conferences. These forms, along with invaluable author insight, will assist teachers in: * Developing lifelong habits in good record keeping * Helping their school meet accountability measures while reducing liability threats * Discovering the real-life benefits that result from good record keeping * Learning how to tailor record-keeping strategies to meet the needs of special populations, parents, and more Learn how fast and accurate record keeping can save time and result in even more successful teaching!

Dianne Mierzwik, a long-time teacher and teacher trainer, has put together a book based on her own best practices of ways to motivate K-8 students and connect with their parents. Her ideas have been classroom-tested by herself and by the many teachers she's trained at in-service workshops. The book is full of ideas, strategies, and sample forms, documents, and letters that teachers can use or adapt for their own purposes. The author presents alternative ideas for adapting strategies and adopts an upbeat and enthusiastic tone to motivate teachers to use her strategies. Diane Mierzwik's strategies will improve the classroom environment, solve many classroom management problems, and keep students motivated, and most strategies require only a few minutes of a teacher's time each day. The research shows that parent involvement results in increased student achievement, so many schools are focusing on this component of school success. Includes guidance on topics critical to beginning teachers: } back-to-school night } parent-teacher conferences } parent volunteers } reaching out to uninvolved parents } talking to parents about difficult students and other problems } using E-mail as a communication tool time-saving tips } motivating even the most difficult students