In this book, three veteran teachers show how teachers can make real improvements in their classroom by concentrating on basic skills. There are 13 chapters in three sections. The first section, "Time and Classroom Space" (Joyce McLeod), focuses on (1) "Setting Up the Classroom"; (2) "Managing Instructional Time"; (3) "Managing Administrative Tasks, Transitions, and Interruptions"; and (4) "Managing Teacher Time." The second section, "Student Behavior" (Jan Fisher), looks at (5) "Classroom Climate"; (6) "Establishing Standards, Rules, and Procedures"; (7) "Teaching Standards, Rules, and Procedures"; (8) "Reinforcement"; and (9) "The Backup System." The third section, "Instructional Strategies," includes (10) "Whole-Class Strategies"; (11) "Small-Group Strategies"; (12) "Working in Pairs"; and (13) "Working as an Individual." (Contains 69 bibliographic references.) (SM)