Book excerpt: This easy-to-use reference—with hundreds of helpful, classroom-tested answers, ideas, techniques, and teaching tools—will help you on your way to a successful and productive school year. Designed to be flexible, the book offers a choice of ideas and approaches that best fit your classroom situation. Master teacher Julia Thompson shows you how to: Develop successful relationships with students, colleagues, administrators, and parents Manage professional responsibilities and develop career skills Create an orderly classroom where students are courteous and respectful Motivate students to become independent learners Use proven strategies to prevent misbehavior Design instruction that will appeal to every student Set up a classroom for maximum comfort and learning Thrive in the world of high-stakes testing