As teachers grapple with the challenge of a new, bigger and more challenging school curriculum, at every key stage and phase, success can feel beyond our reach. But what if there were 50,000 small solutions to help us bridge that gap? In Closing the Vocabulary Gap, the author explores the increased demands of an academic curriculum and how closing the vocabulary gap between our 'word poor' and 'word rich' students could prove the vital difference between school failure and success. This must-read book presents the case for teacher-led efforts to develop students' vocabulary and provides practical solutions for teachers across the curriculum, incorporating easy-to-use tools, resources and classroom activities.

Now fully updated in its fourth edition, Science Learning, Science Teaching offers an accessible, practical guide to creative classroom teaching and a comprehensive introduction to contemporary issues in science education. Aiming to encourage and assist professionals with the process of reflection in the science classroom, the new edition re-examines the latest advances in the field and changes to the curriculum, and explores the use of mobile technology and coding, and its impact on ICT in science education. With extra tasks integrated throughout the book and a brand new chapter, 'Working scientifically', to help develop learners' investigative skills, key topics include: * The art and craft of science teaching. * The science curriculum and science in the curriculum. * Planning and managing learning. * Inclusive science education. * Laboratory safety in science learning and teaching. * Language and numeracy in science teaching and learning. * Computers and computing in science education. * Citizenship and sustainability in science education. Including points for reflection and useful information about further reading and recommended websites, Science Learning, Science Teaching is an essential source of support, guidance and inspiration for all students, teachers, mentors and those involved in science education wishing to reflect upon, improve and enrich their practice.

Originally published in 1986. The traditional approach to teaching writing concentrates on mastering the different aspects of writing in the hope that these will eventually unite as a set of integrated skills. More 'progressive' teachers emphasise that writing is a total process which is 'caught' intuitively rather than explicitly taught. Both models are partially unsatisfactory, and consequently a third approach has evolved which seeks to combine the best of both. This book considers this 'systematic' approach, which seeks to retain the emphasis on writing as a total process but identifies within each communicative context the set of sub-skills involved. The author discusses and illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of this approach and the changes in professional thinking and practice that are essential to its successful adoption. He presents an overview of the nature of the writing process, to enable teachers to make clearer and more explicit statements about their objectives in setting classroom writing tasks.

Originally published in 1988. Much has changed since then in schools. Mobile technologies, interactive whiteboards, digital texts, class websites, student-authored blogs, social networking and photo sharing sites found integrated into so many classrooms hadn't even been imagined by most educators. What hasn't changed, however, are the developmental needs of adolescents. A sense of competence, opportunities for creative expression, positive social interactions, and opportunities for self-definition remain centrally important. Similarly, print literacy (i.e., reading and writing with traditional orthography) continues to contribute strongly to academic success, employment opportunity, health, and life satisfaction. Consequently, this book remains very relevant today. Through case descriptions of literacy programs situated in formal and informal settings, the book draws attention to the ways that developmental appropriateness and engaging literacy instruction can assist all youth in reaching their full potential as readers and writers.

How did we let teacher burn-out happen, and what can we do about it - before it's too late? This brave and disruptive book accurately defines the problems of low teacher morale and offers systemic, future-proof and realistic solutions to bringing hope, energy and joy back to the profession. The simple answer is staring us in the face: increase teacher agency. Our rallying cry: our profession needs a return to values of humanity, pride, and professionalism. From research literacy to a collective voice, better CPD to smarter accountability, contributors to this book demonstrate the huge scope for increased teacher influence at every level of the education sector. Education voices including Sam Twiselton, Alison Peacock, David Weston and Andy Hargreaves, supported by a broad range of academics and policy makers, vouch for increased teacher agency and stronger, more powerful networks as a means of improving practice, combatting teacher disillusionment, and radically improving UK education. This text offers an exciting and hopeful perspective on education; urging teachers to work together to 'flip the system' and challenging policy makers to help... or get out of the way. Chapters have been contributed by Tom Bennett, Peter Ford, Jonathan Firth, David Weston, David Williams, Zeba Clarke, Julie Smith, Dr Robert Loe, Jeremy Pattle, Debra Kidd, Steven Watson, Ross Morrison McGill, George Gilchrist, Howard Stevenson, Professor Dame Alison Peacock, d'Reen Struthers, Phil Wood, Rae Snape, Simon Gibbs, Ross Hall, Jackie Ward, Simon Knight, David Frost, Sheila Ball, Sarah Lightfoot, Andy Hargreaves, Darren Macey, Gary Farrell, Julian Critchley, Tony Gallagher, Gareth Alcott, Sam Twiselton, Jelmer Evers, Alma Harris, Michelle Jones, Natalie Scott, Deborah M. Netolicky, Jon Andrews, Cameron Paterson, Per Kornhall, Joe Hallgarten, Tom Beresford and Sara Hjelm.

The aim of this book is to explore how teachers, students and parents can be given more of a say in the education system - in how schools are organised, and in what and how children learn. The book does not promote a specific view of education, but considers the means by which educational purposes and approaches can be conceived, agreed and enacted democratically - a precursor to a flourishing democratic society. Rebuilding Our Schools from the Bottom Up has been written in response to significant changes which have taken place in the education system over the past 30 years. In England at least, these changes have resulted in an increasingly centralised system in which the voices of those who teach, those who learn, and those whose children go to school have been marginalised. The book covers four main areas: Teacher voice: listening to the professionals Student voice: involving students as active participants in their education Parent voice: building a genuine home-school partnership School community voice: developing a shared vision With inspiring examples from around the UK and overseas and a range of resources that can be used by senior leaders, teachers and parents, the book aims to encourage and support transformative change so that schools can meet the needs of the communities they exist to serve.

This book provides a step-by-step guide to teaching computing at secondary level. It offers an entire framework for planning and delivering the curriculum and shows you how to create a supportive environment for students in which all can enjoy computing. The focus throughout is on giving students the opportunity to think, program, build and create with confidence and imagination, transforming them from users to creators of technology. In each chapter, detailed research and teaching theory is combined with resources to aid the practitioner, including case studies, planning templates and schemes of work that can be easily adapted. The book is split into three key parts: planning, delivery, and leadership and management, and covers topics such as: curriculum and assessment design lesson planning cognitive science behind learning computing pedagogy and instructional principles mastery learning in computing how to develop students' computational thinking supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities encouraging more girls to study computing actions, habits and routines of effective computing teachers behaviour management and developing a strong classroom culture how to support and lead members of your team. Teaching Computing in Secondary Schools is essential reading for trainee and practising teachers, and will prove to be an invaluable resource in helping teaching professionals ensure that students acquire a wide range of computing skills which will support them in whatever career they choose.

Time to Talk provides a powerful and accessible resource for practitioners working to improve children's language and communication skills. Showcasing effective approaches in schools and settings across the country from the early years through primary and secondary education, it summarises research on what helps children and young people develop good communication skills, and highlights the importance of key factors: a place to talk, a reason to talk and support for talk. This timely second edition has been fully updated to reflect Pupil Premium, curriculum, assessment and special needs reforms, and can be used by individual practitioners as well as supporting a whole-school or setting approach to spoken language. It includes: whole-class approaches to developing all children and young people's speaking and listening skills; 'catch-up' strategies for those with limited language; ways of differentiating the curriculum for those with difficulties; ways in which settings and schools can develop an effective partnership with specialists to help children with more severe needs; models schools can use to commission their own speech and language therapy services; examples of good practice in supporting parents/carers to develop their children's language skills; and answers to practitioners' most frequently asked questions about speech and language. Now in full-colour, this practical and engaging book is for all who are concerned about how to help children and young people with limited language and communication skills - school leaders, teachers, early-years practitioners, and the speech and language therapists they work with.

This book provides an answer to one of the key questions of our time: namely, what constitutes a good education. Presenting a 'four-dimensional' model, it directly considers the essential elements a good education should include. Through forging this framework and outlaying its origins, implications and practice, the book explains how a good contemporary education can be defined and implemented. From the premise that such educational essentials are neither the preserve of the elite nor a minimum standard, White's exploration keeps the child at the heart of the discussion, focusing on every pupil's worth, identity, interactions and development. The author offers a detailed and rigorous perspective reflecting on extensive professional experience, starting with a consideration of the current educational climate and progressing through the book's three parts: looking for a good education creating a model of good education applications, implications and implementation of the model. A Good Education recognises the transformative power of education and reflects on the importance of human factors: teachers' provision for their pupils and students' ability to flourish. This book is addressed to those actively engaged in or concerned about educational provision: graduates entering teaching, school leaders, policy-makers and parents. It also speaks more broadly to all those who know that a good education really matters.

Enhance classroom practice by promoting an open and shared process with your students! Middle-school students have much to say about the quality of their schooling experiences and can provide rich insight into what works for them and what doesn't. Educators Penny Bishop and Susanna Pflaum demonstrate how to enhance classroom practice by inviting students to offer feedback on pedagogy, learning styles, and their individual preferences and needs. Written for new and experienced primary teachers, the unique framework of this book takes its cue from the students themselves by using their own words and drawings, combined with the authors' action research, insightful analysis, and shared experiences. Highlights of this powerful resource include: - Instructional strategies and content-area learning - Social interactions within the classroom that promote or inhibit learning - Learner insights into their own engagement and disengagement in the classroom - Student drawings, reflective questions for teachers, mini-lessons, and frequently asked questions about consulting students and honoring their insights Reaching and Teaching Middle School Learners focuses on the learning needs of adolescents as identified by the students themselves. By promoting an open and shared process with your students, you can meet the unique challenges of working with middle school learners and create a positive schooling experience for all.

This teacher s companion to a classic book for kids provides tools for building self-esteem and personal power. Without self-esteem, kids doubt themselves and may turn to unhealthy habits as a way of coping. With self-esteem, kids feel secure, are willing to take positive risks, and are resilient in the face of challenges. This teacher s guide expands the messages of Stick Up for Yourself!, teaching self-confidence and how to be assertive with easy-to-use sessions. Created for the classroom, these sessions can also be used in other group settings including counseling groups, out-of-school programs, community programs, and more. Digital content includes reproducible handouts.

As a teacher, you are required to use your voice more than any other professional! Your voice is the most important tool that you have at your disposal to inspire students and help them learn effectively. Using your voice powerfully and effectively is the key to becoming an outstanding teacher. Developing a strong vocal presence in the classroom influences everything else that you do, helping to build your confidence and positive interactions with students. If you neglect your voice as a teacher, you are more likely to end up stressed, have a shorter teaching career and suffer from vocal health issues. This book explores how you can learn to use your voice effectively in the classroom, linking together basic theory about vocal production and teacher identity with numerous practical tips, tricks and exercises which you can apply to your own teaching. Covering all aspects of the voice and its employment both inside the classroom and its importance to daily life outside, the book tackles topics such as: the philosophy of the voice, how it develops and its role in creating your own identity the mechanical and mental skills required to develop a teaching voice acquiring confidence and an exploration of body language to underpin your vocal production the relationship between the student's voice and the teacher's voice the importance of practice for a teacher the practicality of caring for one's voice. Using Your Voice Effectively in the Classroom offers a much-needed exploration and thorough examination of the voice in the classroom and will be an indispensable guide for trainee teachers, as well as valuable reading for all practising teachers.

Assessment is now regarded as a 'high stakes' issue: schools, teachers, and individual pupils are often judged by the results of national tests and public examinations. This book addresses both formal and informal ways of assessing children's work and progress. Pupils' learning is often neglected in the debate, so this book puts what children actually learn right at its centre and involves them sensibly and appropriately in the improvement of teaching and learning. The book is divided into six units where Ted Wragg address topics such as: principles and purposes of assessment written, oral and practical evaluation self-assessment the 'whole school' approach staff development and appraisal. The inclusion of tried and tested practical activities, discussion topics, photographs, cartoons and case examples makes this a very user-friendly book for both trainee and experienced teachers in secondary schools. This is one of a set of eight innovative yet practical resource books for teachers, focussing on the classroom and covering vital skills for primary and secondary teachers. The books are strongly influenced by the findings of numerous research projects during which hundreds of teachers were observed at work. The first editions of the series were bestsellers, and these revised second editions will be equally welcomed by teachers eager to improve their teaching skills.

For the first three quarters of the twentieth century, in the heart of our nation, there thrived a safe haven which nurtured great aspirations of thousands of African American youth and their families. "The Sumner Story" highlights the history of a segregated high school which became recognized for the stellar academic performance of its students. Highly qualified faculty who believed in the students' ability to achieve prepared them for a world of competition, hard knocks, compromises and closed doors. The story also denotes and illuminates outstanding career successes of alumni. In a socially and economically segregated nation, black students who had a "Sumner-like" experience were very fortunate because their schools served as clear windows and powerful springboards to promising possibilities. In this regard, nine other segregated high schools are reviewed. Insights can be gained from this story on how to resolve the plight of low-performing schools in socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

Jumpstart! Spanish and Italian presents a collection of simple to use, multi-sensory games and activities which will jumpstart students understanding of modern languages in action. If you are one of the thousands of teachers looking for a range of practical and fun ideas to teach languages engagingly, then this is also the perfect book for you. A range of innovative ideas to help you set the scene in your language classroom are presented first. These are followed by a feast of short and simple activities designed to help you make quick starts with your students and hold their attention. The focus throughout is on communicative action, bringing languages alive with all activities presented in two languages: Spanish and Italian. Specifically written to help teachers work within the guidelines of the new curriculum, activities in the book will help pupils to:- Listen, respond and understand key elements of the target language; Speak in phrases and sentences with appropriate pronunciation; Express and communicate simple ideas with clarity; Write phrases and short sentences; Develop an understanding of basic grammar; Learn songs and simple poems in the language studied; Engage in active learning through a range of varied activities. Jumpstart! Spanish and Italian will celebrate the joys of language, and coherent expression; of finding just the right words or phrases to express what you want to say.

This book provides an answer to one of the key questions of our time: namely, what constitutes a good education. Presenting a 'four-dimensional' model, it directly considers the essential elements a good education should include. Through forging this framework and outlaying its origins, implications and practice, the book explains how a good contemporary education can be defined and implemented. From the premise that such educational essentials are neither the preserve of the elite nor a minimum standard, White's exploration keeps the child at the heart of the discussion, focusing on every pupil's worth, identity, interactions and development. The author offers a detailed and rigorous perspective reflecting on extensive professional experience, starting with a consideration of the current educational climate and progressing through the book's three parts: looking for a good education creating a model of good education applications, implications and implementation of the model. A Good Education recognises the transformative power of education and reflects on the importance of human factors: teachers' provision for their pupils and students' ability to flourish. This book is addressed to those actively engaged in or concerned about educational provision: graduates entering teaching, school leaders, policy-makers and parents. It also speaks more broadly to all those who know that a good education really matters.

'The tragedies keep coming. As we reel from the latest horror...'

So begins the epilogue, illustrating how Columbine has become the template for nearly two decades of "spectacle murders." It makes the imperative to understand the crime that sparked this flame more urgent than ever. What really happened on April 20th, 1999?

The horror left an indelible stamp on the American psyche, but most of what we thought we knew was wrong. It wasn't about jocks, Goths or the Trench Coast Mafia. Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters on the scene, and he spent ten years on this book, the definitive account. With a keen investigative eye and psychological acumen, he draws on mountains of evidence, insight from the world's leading forensic psychologists, and the killers' own words and drawings - several reproduced in a new appendix.

Cullen paints raw portraits of two polar opposite killers. They contrast starkly with the flashes of resilience and redemption among the survivors.

-Offers an interdisciplinary, eight-lesson module using project- and problem-based learning to help students explore the potential role of renewable and non-renewable energy sources in transportation, with an emphasis on the auto industry, designed to infuse real-world learning into K-12 classrooms. -Written and developed for eighth grade/middle school teachers, the book offers lesson plans guiding students to learn about renewable and non-renewable energy resources, identify the impact of human activities on the biosphere via the lens of the auto industry, develop a plan for a competitive automobile racing team to fuel a vehicle with minimal environmental impact, and share that work in a presentation and visual display. -Anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning, which can be used in full or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools and teachers charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

This collection of inspiring and simple-to-use activities will jumpstart students' understanding of philosophy, and is a treasure trove of ideas for building philosophical enquiry into the curriculum. It offers teachers a range of quick, easy and effective ways for developing children's comprehension of and engagement with philosophy, and will help them 'learn how to learn'. With a wealth of activities, including puzzles, class discussion techniques and group tasks, Jumpstart! Philosophy in the Classroom covers the following topics: curiosity and imagination language for thinking critical thinking creating a community of enquiry. Practical and immersive methods will encourage children to think, analyse, evaluate, discuss, judge and arrive at reasoned conclusions across all areas of the curriculum, stimulating philosophical conversation and changing the way that content is processed and understood in the classroom. This book will be a vital resource for all those who want to develop thinking skills and philosophical enquiry in their school.

This collection of inspiring and simple-to-use activities will jumpstart students' understanding of philosophy, and is a treasure trove of ideas for building philosophical enquiry into the curriculum. It offers teachers a range of quick, easy and effective ways for developing children's comprehension of and engagement with philosophy, and will help them 'learn how to learn'. With a wealth of activities, including puzzles, class discussion techniques and group tasks, Jumpstart! Philosophy in the Classroom covers the following topics: curiosity and imagination language for thinking critical thinking creating a community of enquiry. Practical and immersive methods will encourage children to think, analyse, evaluate, discuss, judge and arrive at reasoned conclusions across all areas of the curriculum, stimulating philosophical conversation and changing the way that content is processed and understood in the classroom. This book will be a vital resource for all those who want to develop thinking skills and philosophical enquiry in their school.

Published in 1994, Mother's Intuition? examines the process of choosing secondary schools in two inner London boroughs. The research is based upon detailed interviews with parents as well as questionnaires filled in by pupils themselves. The authors address several important dimensions in the choosing process which had not been investigated by previous research. The book particularly focusses on the main question arising from the interviews; who does the choosing - mother, father or the child? Other areas discussed are the changing nature of families and the role different members in lone parent families play, as well as the different decisions made between families with girls and boys, and those from different racial and ethnic groups.

A broad survey of secondary schools and their historical origins and present-day goals, intentions, and practices in educating adolescents. Schools have changed greatly since the days of reading and writing and 'rithmetic taught to the tune of a hickory stick. Now there are student rights, magnet schools, standardized tests, computers, and even corporate sponsorships. But are students really getting a better education today? Secondary Schools: A Reference Handbook charts the planning, designing, and administration of the various types of secondary schools in the U.S. and their goals. It maps the historical foundation of the school system, examines important social and cultural movements in education, analyzes legislation and policy issues, looks at standardization and discusses reform. Always keeping the needs of students in close focus, this book examines public and private institutions, vocational curricula, schools within schools, as well as target audiences for specific institutions, educational standards, accessibility, admission policies, student assistance, and other important subjects.

This reader explores the nature of interactions between children and their teachers in the classroom. It emphasises the importance of such relationships for children's learning and for educational practice. Part 1 looks at different cultural conceptions of the teacher-learner relationship, and how this relates to schooling, cognitive development and the aquisition of knowledge. Part 2 takes a closer look at the role of language and dialogue in interactions between adults and children in classrooms. Part 3 describes research by developmental psychologists on peer interaction and collaborative learning, and discusses how it has advanced our understanding of how children learn from each other. Part 4 considers the implications of classroom-based collaborative learning initiatives and the potential for creating 'communities of enquiry' which change how we think about knowledge acquisition.

Recognising performance and accountability pressures on schools, Inspiring School Change shows how a commitment to the arts in education can meet core school agendas of pupil and parent engagement, attainment, improved teaching and inclusion. Schools are under pressure to develop their students' creativity and to improve their cultural education. This book fills a gap by marshalling the arguments and evidence for a form of education in, through and with the arts that moves beyond individual projects to become central to teaching, learning and school reform. When the arts are taken seriously, schools become different - and better - places. Using research evidence to promote greater awareness of the capacity of the arts to promote educational change, this text captures four key themes that run through all of the chapters: * Inspiration - sharing experiences and the way they happened, documenting inspiring pedagogy by understanding the reason it was done, the factors and the people involved in making it work. * School change - the need for schools to better prepare young people for the lives they will live in the twenty-first century; to engage young people more effectively and so educate them better, and the recognition that in an unequal society schools can contribute to making things fairer. * Creative arts - demonstrates, through international research, how the arts can facilitate whole school learning, meet core agendas, such as attainment, inclusion and promote lifelong learning. * Transforming education - marshals the arguments and evidence for a form of education in, through and with the arts that moves beyond individual projects to become central to teaching, learning and school reform. Tackling the hot topics of parent and pupil engagement, standards and accountability in a fresh way, Inspiring School Change offers those engaged in the research and practice of improving teaching and learning with insight into the educational value and possibilities of arts-based teaching and an arts-rich curriculum

CO-PUBLISHED BY ROUTLEDGE AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH Teaching Climate Change to Adolescents is THE essential resource for middle and high school English language arts teachers to help their students understand and address the urgent issues and challenges facing life on Earth today. Classroom activities written and used by teachers show students posing questions, engaging in argumentative reading and writing and critical analysis, interpreting portrayals of climate change in literature and media, and adopting advocacy stances to promote change. The book illustrates climate change fitting into existing courses using already available materials and gives teachers tools and teaching ideas to support building this into their own classrooms. A variety of teacher and student voices makes for an appealing, fast-paced, and inspiring read. Visit the website for this book for additional information and links. All royalties from the sale of this book are donated to Alliance for Climate Education.