This handbook is designed to be a practical field-experience guide and methods text for beginning teachers, K-12. It presents basic skills and strategies that will enable beginning teachers to deal creatively and responsibly with the significant new challenges they face. This handbook is also applicable as a resource for teacher candidates during student teaching, for methods courses, and as a refresher or guide for inservice teachers. Prominent features of this guide include: (1) an emphasis on learning to work productively with students in a current school setting; (2) an accent on "proactive" attitudes and behaviors; (3) attention to the dynamics of live teaching; (4) an implicit psychology of adult learning and positive teacher development; and (5) practical strategies for achieving the proficiencies featured. The handbook's 12 chapters are organized into three sections: "Preparing for Teaching,""Conducting Classroom Activity," and "Following Up Instruction." (IAH)