Take a survey - win a Barnes & Noble gift card
Please help Education Minnesota improve service to new teachers. Take a short online survey about this e-newsletter, "Ready, Set, Go," before Wednesday, Dec. 19, and you'll be entered in a drawing to win one of four Barnes & Noble $25 gift cards. Thank you for your time!

(Please note: survey is now closed.)

What's 'Ready, Set, Go'?
If you're receiving this online newsletter for the first time, welcome! Education Minnesota publishes Ready, Set, Go! four times a year for new members with three years of teaching experience or less. The goal is to offer you helpful information about teaching, your union and resources of special interest to new teachers.

The next issues will be e-mailed in February and April. We welcome your suggestions, requests and story ideas. Contact editor Linda Owen at 800-652-9073, 651-292-4818 or linda.owen@educationminnesota.org.

Get ready for Read Across America March 3
It's not too early to start planning special activities for Read Across America Day, which celebrates reading and the March 2 birthday of the late children's author Dr. Seuss. Since that date falls on a Sunday this year, Read Across America will be observed Monday, March 3. Find ideas, materials, resources and tips at NEA's Read Across America page. You can also sign up for a members-only e-newsletter with the latest reading news and links to grant information, classroom and parent materials, and more. To join, send a blank e-mail to join-nea-raa-enewsletter@list.nea.org.

Making classroom rules stick
What's the secret of keeping order in your classroom? You've heard plenty of advice about making rules but how do you get students to follow them? It's not enough to post your rules, according to the American Federation of Teachers. You need to explain and model them as well. Here's how:

• Explain your expectations precisely, and err on the side of over-explaining.
• Require students to be prompt and prepared.
• Teach students the right procedures for classroom participation.
• Arrange your classroom to eliminate distractions.
• Explain the reasoning behind the rules.
• Use group work to instill teamwork and self-confidence.

Create a caring classroom
When you show you care about your students, they become more receptive to learning and more likely to care for others. The National Education Association Web site offers tips from educator Marty Kirschen on connecting with students and modeling caring behavior, including these.

• Notice and acknowledge students.
• Surprise them with small gestures, such as an occasional treat.
• Share thoughtful hellos and goodbyes.
• Seek out the good in students.
• Give students your full attention when they speak.
• Admit your own weaknesses.
• Let students help resolve social problems.

More suggestions can be found on Kirschen's Caring in Education site.

Fight colds and flu
The cold and flu season is here, and you and your students are targets for the nasty little viruses. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the 20 percent of the U.S. population that attends or works in schools comes in contact with viruses and bacteria that can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. How can you protect yourself and your classroom?

• Get a flu shot. It's not too late, and vaccine is plentiful this year.
• Remind students to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and to throw out the tissue afterwards. Remind them to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands often and encourage students to do the same. Wash with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
• Encourage everyone to get enough sleep and physical activity, drink water and eat healthful food.
  

You've joined a prestigious profession
In a recent Harris Poll, 54 percent of Americans classified the teaching profession as one of "very great" prestige. Teachers are tied with scientists, and rank second only to firefighters (who came in at 61 percent) and ahead of doctors (52 percent).The pollsters noted that the percentage of people who see teachers as having "very great" prestige has risen 25 points over the past three decades. In fact, teachers are the only occupation among the 11 tracked since 1977 to see a large rise in prestige.

Your union: where to get your questions answered

• Rights and benefits: Your local building representative is your first contact.
• State and districtwide union programs: Contact your local president.
• Member benefits (insurance, financial services, discounts): Education Minnesota ESI, 651-292-4856, 800-642-4624.