Originally published in 1977. Learning to read is probably the central educational achievement of any child's life. It is also a central concern for parents and teachers. Leila Berg, known for her work in children's literature, believes that the enjoyment of books and the acquisition of reading and writing is not primarily an academic or a technical skill, but grows from a warmly physical and emotional base of shared enjoyment with another human being. This book traces the varied ways that babies learn to communicate, and discusses the place of books in the lives of different groups in the community. It examines the types of books used in school, and demonstrates that, in many cases, books themselves provide the major inhibition to the development of reading through their stilted and often formalistic vocabulary. The author's aim is that all children's first experience of reading should be a loving and sensuous one, so that they can come to discover the power of books themselves.

Boys, Masculinities and Reading explores elementary students' interpretations of their experiences of reading and the contextual influences that impact those experiences. While research continues to highlight the apparent systematic underperformance of boys in comparison to girls on national and international reading benchmarks, this text moves beyond broad generalizations to consider complexities inherent in notions of masculinity and associated tensions. Applying a socio-cultural perspective, Scholes highlights the voices of boys and girls by focusing on their reading experiences. Examining the perceived, generalized "crisis" of boys' underperformance in reading and literacy, Scholes identifies the factors that shape perceptions of masculinity among different groups of boys across the globe.

This new and updated second edition of Debates in Physical Education explores issues physical education teachers encounter in their daily lives. By engaging with both established and contemporary debates, this volume challenges readers to think about and reflect on the relative validity of positions presented in order to develop their own reasoned and personal view in relation to the topics explored. Divided into four accessible sections, this book investigates and offers fresh insight into topics of central importance in physical education. Chapters include, for example: Physical education as a means or as an end in itself; Knowledge for physical education; The physical education curriculum; Assessment in physical education; Technology, pedagogy and physical education. Physical education beyond schools and teachers. Designed to stimulate discussion and support readers in their own research, writing and practice, Debates in Physical Education will be a valuable resource for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial teacher education, continuing professional development or Master's level study.

Crisis, Controversy and the Future of Religious Education sets out to provide a much-needed critical examination of recent writings that consider and respond to the crisis in religious education and more widely to a crisis in non-confessional forms of religious education, wherever practised. The book is critical, wide-ranging and provocative, giving attention to a range of responses, some limited to the particular situation of religious education in England and some of wider application, for example, that of the role and significance of human rights and that of the relevance of religious studies and theology to religious education. It engages with a variety of positions and with recent influential reports that make recommendations on the future direction of religious education. Constructively, it defends both confessional and non-confessional religious education and endorses the existing right of parental withdrawal. Controversially, it concludes that the case for including non-religious worldviews in religious education, and for the introduction of a statutory, 'objective' national religious education curriculum for all schools, are both unconvincing on educational, philosophical and evidential grounds. Timely and captivating, this book is a must-read for religious and theological educators, RE advisers, classroom teachers, student teachers and those interested in the field of religious education.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Elementary Schools is the leadership handbook and practitioner's field guide to implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in elementary schools, leading to improved student outcomes and school safety. Schools can creatively customize replicable best practices using this in-depth operations manual to guide MTSS teams in planning and delivering tiers of academic and integrated social-emotional and behavioral supports to meet the needs of all students. This text introduces Healthy Minds, Safe Schools, an evidence-based program that significantly improves student well-being, school safety, and teacher feelings of self-efficacy for delivering social-emotional and behavioral curriculum in the classroom. Featuring team exercises and real perspectives from educators, this text shows how to make incremental yet manageable changes at elementary schools in accordance with public policy mandates and evidence-based practices by developing smart teams and programs, identifying roles and responsibilities, implementing layers of academic support and services, improving social-emotional and behavioral health of students, and creating an inclusive school culture. It details organizational psychology and socially just educational practices and is a handbook aligned with the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center guidebook for preventing school violence and with the National Center for School Mental Health Curriculum.

Focusing on issues relating to gender, gender relations, and discrimination, this book provides nuanced insight into the experiences of young Latina women and their teachers in a North American middle school. Latina Students' Experiences in Public Schools details how students navigate questions of gender, gender discrimination, and gender relations in the context of post-feminism, and in view of widespread claims that advocacy for girls and women has been outmoded by anti-discriminatory legislation. Drawing on an ethnographic study that focuses on gender segregation and dominance, relational identities, and the role of teachers in reinforcing gender dynamics, the text deftly demonstrates the effect of postfeminist policy and ideology on gender equity and achievement in public schools. In particular, the text illustrates that young Latina women continue to face both physical and verbal harassment on a daily basis, which is often overlooked by school faculty and administrators. A powerful and timely text, the volume advocates for action to counter school-based gender discrimination. This book will be of great interest to graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, academics, policy makers, libraries in the field of gender and sexuality in education, gender studies, secondary education and urban education.

Making Number Talks Matter is about the myriad decisions facing teachers as they make this fifteen-minute daily routine a vibrant and vital part of their mathematics instruction. Cathy Humphreys and Ruth Parker offer practical ideas for using Number Talks to help students learn to reason numerically and build a solid foundation for the study of mathematics. Using insight gained from many years of doing Number Talks with students of all ages, Ruth and Cathy provide questions to pose during Number Talks, teacher moves that turn thinking over to students, the mathematics behind the strategies, and ways to overcome bumps in the road.

All About Autism is an accessible and informative guide for primary school teachers, designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of autism and enhance their toolkit with practical, adaptable strategies to support autistic children in their care. The book initially explores key traits and terminology, debunks myths and misconceptions, and shines a light on the strengths and abilities of autistic learners. It then introduces readers to a range of easy-to-implement ideas for practice and concrete solutions to provide further support, all with the child at the heart. All About Autism includes: Practical strategies tailored to the primary key stages with current research broken down into easily digestible chunks. Guidance on a range of topics, from the importance of play for developing communication and supporting sensory needs, to building peer relationships and social awareness for all. Strategies to create an autistic-friendly environment and teach in a way that caters to students with different ways of learning. Advice for helping autistic learners with problem solving, managing demands, tests, and bridging the gap between primary and secondary school. Easy to dip-in-and-out of chapters with signposting to further research, resources, and support. Taking a celebratory approach, the guide focuses on difference rather than deficit and weaves together the voices of autistic children and parents alongside practical examples of what high-quality and adapted teaching should look like. It will be essential reading for all primary school educators, SENCOs and parents who are supporting autistic learners, aged 4-11.

This book shines a light on the best research into learning and the brain development that makes it all possible. Written by two distinguished education journalists, it provides an invaluable guide to the latest information for teachers and parents seeking to help children to make the best use of their potential and steer a true course through an often confused, noisy and crowded learning landscape where ideas compete and nothing can seem clear. Summarising the most up to date and significant research in a jargon-free and understandable way, this book provides readers with simple and clear access to knowledge and information about what really helps children learn and flourish. Whether you're a teacher who wants to encourage the right kind of parental support or a parent who wants to do the best for your child, this is an essential read. Drawing on expert analysis, interviews and example studies, the chapters tackle common misconceptions and myths, and explore crucial topics including: The use of neuroscience in education; The role of parents and how all parents can help their children learn; What works in the classroom and the best ways of teaching a child. The first of its kind, this seminal text is a unique resource for parents, carers, primary and secondary teachers, student teachers, policymakers and anyone interested in the development of children and how they learn.

The Let Them Write Series is a classroom-tested, teacher-friendly resource for Language Arts teachers of grades 4 through 8. The program is organized in nine sections, each presenting a buffet of from five to nine 1- or 2-week modules. Each classroom-ready module consists of a series of comprehensive, easy-to-follow lesson plans complete with reproducible handouts and cross-curricular extensions, together creating a proven successful template for the teaching of writing and literary analysis skills. Let Them Write: Plot Building focuses on conflict, suspense and narrative structure. Students practice first-drafting, editing, polishing and sharing original scenes and stories built around these three important elements of storytelling. The text can be implemented in the classroom alone or in tandem with the two other titles in the Let Them Write Series - SETTING AND DESCRIPTION and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Also of interest for classroom teachers is the Literacy: Made for All Series *WORDSMITHING: Classroom Ready Materials for Teaching Nonfiction Writing and Analysis Skills in the High School Grades *ENJOYING LITERATURE: Classroom Ready Materials for Teaching Fiction and Poetry Analysis Skills in the High School Grades *STORY CRAFTING: Classroom Ready Materials for Teaching Fiction Writing in the High School Grades

This book challenges educational discourse in relation to teaching about Africa at all levels of the education system in the Global North, with a specific case study focusing on the Republic of Ireland. The book provides an interrogation of the proliferation of negative imagery of and messages about African people and African countries and the impact of this on the attitudes and perceptions of children and young people. It explores how predominantly negative stereotyping can be challenged in classrooms through an educational approach grounded in principles of solidarity, interdependence, and social justice. The book focuses on the premise that existing educational narratives about the African continent and African people are rooted in a preponderance of racialised perceptions: an 'impoverished' continent dependent on the 'benevolence' of the North. The cycle of negativity engendered as a result of such portrayals cannot be broken until educators engage with these matters and bring critical and inquiry-based pedagogies into classrooms. Insights into three key pedagogical areas are provided - active unlearning, translating critical thinking into meaningful action, and developing a race consciousness. This book will appeal to academics, researchers, and post-graduate students in the fields of education and teacher education. It will be of interest to those involved in youth work, as well as intercultural and global citizenship youth trainers.

Changing schools at 11 or 12+ is a critical, often traumatic event in a pupil's career. Earlier studies had looked at this transitional stage from the schools' point of view, in the light of institutional aims and objectives. Originally published in 1984, this richly detailed and readable study looks at it from the pupils' point of view: it illustrates their perceptions of the transfer, their anxieties and their experiences. The book is the result of a research project, in which children transferring from a typical middle school to a typical comprehensive in a Midlands town were observed over a period of eighteen months. The authors reveal various ways in which children adjust to a large, more complex school organisation, to new forms of discipline and authority, and new demands in school work. They emphasise the significance of teenage culture during this period, and identify an important area of interplay between school culture and sub-culture. They pay special attention to gender identities, and the ways in which these affect pupils' responses to different subjects in the curriculum. Finally, they consider the theoretical and policy implications of their survey, and make positive recommendations for improving school and classroom practice at both primary and secondary level.

Innovation in the classroom is about empowering teachers to develop intelligent, creative and effective teaching methods that will challenge and engage learners. Drawing on contemporary research and case studies from the UK and internationally, this book examines the theory behind innovative teaching and learning and its practical application in primary schools. Reflection points throughout the chapters encourage self-evaluation and development, giving students greater confidence to plan and deliver their own innovative teaching. Topics covered include: Creative approaches to learning in primary and early years education Using different settings and technologies to develop thinking skills Promoting positive classroom behaviour and inclusion Innovation in planning and assessment

Originally published in 1993. The appearance of design and technology in the National Curriculum has offered primary teachers opportunities for imaginative and stimulating work which is directly related to the lives of their pupils. Its sheer scope can, however, be daunting for the teacher already overloaded with the other demands of the National Curriculum. Tina Jarvis provides some much needed guidance on strategies for including design and technology effectively within the whole curriculum, including the development of co-operative group-work and finding effective ways to assess individuals in group situations. The author also looks at how teachers can tackle subject areas which may be unfamiliar to them, such as systems, environments and economic enterprises.

Originally published in 1988, this book discusses the gradual move from the separation of home and school to an increasing acceptance of the central role of parents as partners in their children's education. The book looks at the progress made towards real partnership with parents. An eminently practical account of the advantages of working with parents and the ways in which this can be achieved, it will be of special value to student teachers and practicing teachers, and to parents interested and involved in their children's education. The authors review national trends and developments since the issue was first seriously raised by the Plowden Report in 1967. Then focusing on one urban primary school (Redlands Primary School, Reading), they describe the changes which have taken place over a seven-year period, from the perspective of teachers, parents, and children. The book includes a personal account by Angela Redfern (formerly Deputy Head at Redlands) of what it has been like to be a teacher during this period of change, and telling comments from both parents and children on all aspects of involvement in school. Partnership with parents emerges as a course of action which reaps benefits for all concerned, and the authors stress that the developments taking place in schools like Redland are important for all schools, irrespective of their social class or ethnic composition.

Originally published in 1991. The central aim of this book is to make English in the National Curriculum accessible and relevant to all pupils. In attempting to meet this aim, the authors set out to bring together a theoretical basis for the main English profile components and practical suggestions for good practice for all schools. In the first section oracy, reading and writing are examined and in the second section three case studies describe a range of projects which have taken place in different schools.

Originally published in 1984, this book considers the ever-increasing pressure that teachers are under both to demonstrate and maintain their professional understanding and competence. Curriculum development has long been the subject of scrutiny, with some authorities arguing that the primary curriculum should be a diluted version of the secondary curriculum. Professor Blyth presents a convincing case for a primary curriculum carefully constructed to enhance the relationship between the various aspects of the child's development and total experience. Initially examining how children in the primary age range do develop and experience the world, the book goes on to consider the implications of this for shaping the curriculum. These are traced through different aspects of the primary curriculum, from physical, moral and aesthetic development to an understanding of the social world. The book concludes with an assessment of this approach to primary education within an international context and prospects for the future. An important work by a leading authority, Development, Experience and Curriculum in Primary Education is a guide to the professional development of primary teachers, building on their experience and judgement.

Teaching Visual Literacy in the Primary Classroom shows how everyday literacy sessions can be made more exciting, dynamic and effective by using a wide range of media and visual texts in the primary classroom. In addition to a wealth of practical teaching ideas, the book outlines the vital importance of visual texts and shows how children can enjoy developing essential literacy skills through studying picture books, film, television and comic books.

Designed to take into account the renewed Framework for Literacy, each chapter offers a complete guide to teaching this required area of literacy. Aimed at those who want to deliver high quality and stimulating literacy sessions, each chapter contains a range of detailed practical activities and resources which can be easily implemented into?existing literacy teaching with minimal preparation. In addition, each chapter gives clear, informative yet accessible insights into the theory behind visual literacy.

Containing a wealth of activities, ideas and resources for teachers of both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, this book discusses how children's literacy skills can be developed and enhanced through exploring a range of innovative texts. Six chapters provide comprehensive guides to the teaching of the following media and literacy skills:

• picture books
• film and television
• comic books
• visual literacy skills
• genre
• adaptation.

Teaching Visual Literacy in the Primary Classroom is an essential resource for all those who wish to find fresh and contemporary ways to teach literacy and will be useful not only to novices but also to teachers who already have experience of teaching a range of media.

Students, primary school teachers, literacy co-ordinators and anyone who is passionate about giving pupils a relevant and up-to-date education will be provided with everything they need to know about teaching this new and ever-expanding area of literacy.

Lesson planning in line with the new Primary National Curriculum! Outstanding grammar lessons are not about teaching children the mechanics of grammar but fostering a curiosity about language, words and clauses when explored within a meaningful context. This book offers practical ideas and lesson plans to help you plan and teach lessons that motivate, engage and inspire pupils to use grammar accurately and creatively to produce writing that is fluid, cohesive and purposeful. It will also help you to teach grammar confidently and effectively by addressing your own grammar questions and providing essential subject knowledge. The lesson ideas have all been tried and tested in the classroom, and you can adapt the lessons to teach other aspects of grammar or change the focus of the learning objective to reflect the needs of your classroom. Did you know that this book is part of the Lessons in Teaching series? Table of Contents What is Grammar? / Grammar in context / Year 1: Teaching Sentence Demarcation / Year 2: Teaching Conjunctions / Year 3: Teaching Direct Speech / Year 3: Using the Perfect Tense / Year 4: Teaching adverbial phrases / Year 4: Teaching the Difference between the Plural and Possessive -s / Year 5: Teaching Modal Verbs / Year 5: Teaching Expanded Noun Phrases / Year 6: Using the Subjunctive Form in Speech / Year 6: Using the Passive Voice / Moving On / Glossary of Terms WHAT IS THE LESSONS IN TEACHING SERIES? Suitable for any teacher at any stage of their career, the books in this series are packed with great ideas for teaching engaging, outstanding lessons in your primary classroom. The Companion Website accompanying the series includes extra resources including tips, lesson starters, videos and Pinterest boards. Books in this series: Lessons in Teaching Grammar in Primary Schools, Lessons in Teaching Computing in Primary Schools, Lessons in Teaching Number and Place Value in Primary Schools, Lessons in Teaching Reading Comprehension in Primary Schools, Lesson in Teaching Phonics in Primary Schools

The effective and fun-filled way to teach spelling to elementary students

"The Spelling Teacher's Lesson-a-Day" gives teachers 180 engaging and ready-to-use lessons-one for each day of the school year-that boost spelling skills in students grades 3-6. These lessons may be used as "sponge" or "hook" activities (five-minute lessons to start off each school day) or teachers may simply pick and choose activities from within the book for the occasional spelling lesson. Fry teaches spelling patterns by contrasting homophones (like-sounding words) to help students recognize these spelling patterns in more complex words. He also boosts students' spelling skills by demystifying contractions, abbreviations, capitalization, silent letters, suffixes and prefixes, and more.Offers an easy-to-use method for teaching spelling that has been proven to be effectiveIncludes 180 ready-to-use, reproducible lessons-one for each day of the school yearA new volume in the new series "5-Minute FUNdamentals"

This book is designed to be used by classroom teachers, homeschoolers, tutors, and parents.

This book has two purposes: To open up the debate on the role of informal education in schooling systems and to suggest the kind of school organizational environment that can best facilitate the recognition of informal learning. Successive chapters explore what is often seen as a duality between informal and formal learning. This duality is particularly so because education systems expend so much time and effort in certifying formal knowledge often expressed in school subjects reflecting academic disciplines.Recognizing the contribution informal learning can make to young people's understanding and development does not negate the importance of valued social knowledge: That complements it. Students come to school with knowledge learnt from their families, peers, the community and both traditional and social media. They should not have to "unlearn" this in order to enter the world of formal learning. Rather, students' different learning "worlds" should be integrated so that each informs the other. In a knowledge-based society, all learning needs to be valued. Some contributors to this book reflect on how new educational systems could be created in a move away from top-down authoritarian and bureaucratic management. Such open systems are seen to be more welcoming in acknowledging the importance of informal learning. Others provide practical examples of how informal learning is currently recognized. Some attention is also paid to the evaluation of informal learning. A key objective of the work presented here is to stimulate debate about the role of informal learning in knowledge-based societies and to stimulate thinking about the kind of reforms needed to create more open and more democratic school learning environments.

Tasks in Primary Mathematics Teacher Education is intended to advance relevant research and innovative international practices in the preparation and professional development of mathematics teachers. Emerging from discussion at the ICMI study on teacher professional development, this volume, focused on primary and elementary teachers, culls a richness that can only be found by gathering wisdom from varied experiences around the world.

The choice of tasks, and the associated pedagogies, is a key aspect of teaching and learning mathematics. Arguing that what students learn is largely defined by the tasks they are given, several major themes are presented. One such major strand, the form, function and focus of tasks, is discussed throughout several chapters, offering analysis, discussion of implementation, and exemplars of a broader category of illustrative techniques for developing critical understanding.