UNDERSTAND THE TEXTBOOK BEFORE BEGINNING CLASS

As the teacher, you need to understand the textbook-its contents, its structure, and the reasons for its use--in advance

• Answer the following questions, either by examining the book or by asking your educational director:

   

  1. What are the school's expectations for finishing the book? Is the book to be fully completed? If so, by when? If not, how much of the book should be completed?

      

  2. Is the text to be used at each class session, or alternately with other material, such as handouts, films, etc.?

      

  3. Why was this specific textbook chosen?

      

  4. Will students be keeping the book after the class is over, in which case they can take notes and otherwise write in it, or is it part of a classroom set?

   

• In addition, familiarize yourself with the content and structure of the book:

   

  1. Is there a table of contents? How is the book organized? (Later in this booklet you will encounter several activities that make use of the table of contents.)

      

  2. Are the chapters designed to be read sequentially, or can you read them in an order that you determine?

      

  3. Is there an index?

      

  4. How is the book organized? By chapter? Section? Subsection? Does it use headings within the text to separate sections? Are there sidebars? Photo captions?

      

  5. Is there a Teacher's Guide? Which different sections are in the Teacher's Guide? Is the textbook accompanied by flashcards, audiovisual materials, or other supplementary aids?