* Presents accessible and relatable personal life lessons, leadership observations and anecdotes drawing on the authors extensive leadership experiences in a wide range of schools. * Provides simple methods and strategies for improving whole-school systems, the culture of staff and pupil wellbeing and mental health, and standards * Includes key takeaways in each chapter and examples to help readers apply the ideas in their own setting * Includes a Foreword by Paul Garvey, a leading name in education

Offers a solutions-focused approach to tackling disadvantage in schools. Based on evidence from large-scale research that includes analysis of the National Pupil Database for England 2006-2021, fieldworld in India and Pakistan and international studies. Provides a working definition of educational disadvantage that is relevant across different international contexts.

This fully revised second edition of Debates in Science Education explores the major issues that science teachers encounter in teaching their subject, encouraging the reader to make their own informed judgements and argue their point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding. Brand new chapters written by a team of international experts provide fresh insight into topics of central importance when teaching science. Written to aid and inspire beginning teachers, current teachers and established subject leaders, these focused chapters are essential to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of salient issues within school science education, including: STEAM education sustainability and climate change science and sensitive issues equity and diversity science and sex education science and religion science and pedagogy (including science inquiry) transition from primary to secondary school Encouraging critical reflection and aiming to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers, this book is a valuable resource for any student or practicing teacher and particularly those engaged in continuing professional development or Master's level study.

This book brings together a group of feminist activists, psychologists, and peace workers from countries on every continent who describe how they apply global/transnational feminism in their activist peace and justice projects in the cultures and countries in which they live and work. The contributors, who are from different locations in the "global village", reflect on their engagement in Global South/North border crossings and partnerships, taking into consideration such variables as the gender, economic/class, ethnic, racial, political and imperializing/colonizing tensions inherent in the work. Authors discuss the feminist principles that guide their work, describe a project or set of projects illustrating how they apply feminist theory and practice, and reflect on the complexitites, tensions and conundrums inherent in negotiating cross-national feminist partnerships in research, practice, and activism. This book was originally published as a special issue of Women & Therapy.

As the Forest School movement gains popularity among UK educators, teachers are increasingly recognising the benefits of creative outdoor play. But how can busy primary school teachers fit regular, high quality outdoor learning into an already crowded timetable? How can they plan a range of rich, imaginative and creative experiences that build up into full topics? And how can they translate the excitement and engagement that they find out doors into increased enthusiasm and attainment indoors?

Learning on Your Doorstep integrates creative outdoor play with curricular attainment, while increasing the challenge, enjoyment and professional development of the teachers using it. The book presents a series of topics which channel the children s outdoor experience into writing outcomes to reflect the current Primary Framework for Literacy. Using child-led, kinaesthetic teaching and learning techniques, each topic helps teacher and class build an imaginary world to explore and includes:

• Session plan tables to enable teachers to easily access relevant information;
• collaborative activities, games and drama to stimulate discussion;
• photo-copiable items such as letters, imaginary maps and animal fact jigsaws;
• optional classroom follow-up activities and a final writing task;
• tips on how to prepare and resource each session.

Guidance on adapting for different abilities and ages is also given, along with curriculum links and pedagogical rationale, to let primary teachers put creative outdoor play at the centre of the primary teaching timetable.

The ideas in this book are suitable for implementation in any school environment, using resources commonly found in the stock cupboard or home. All you will need to add is some preparation and imagination

This book focuses on all issues related to the human right of child primary education. It addresses issues of access to education, the benefits of schooling, primary education and human rights law, the role of states and NGOs towards improving enrolment rates, as well as policy recommendations.

Living Languages is simply bursting with practical and original ideas aimed at teachers and trainee teachers of foreign languages in primary schools. Written by a team of experienced linguists, this book will inspire and motivate the foreign language classroom and the teachers who work within it.

Living Languages comprises eight chapters and is structured around the integrated classroom, merging language learning with different aspects of the wider curriculum such as multimedia, performance, celebrations and festivals, creativity and alternative approaches to teaching languages. A DVD is also included with the book containing additional teaching materials and the associated films and audio recordings which make this a fully-developed and effective teaching resource.

Over 50 real-life case studies and projects are presented, all of which have been tried and tested in the classroom with several having won recent educational awards. Ideas and activities outlined in this unique resource include:

• Languages across the curriculum helping to cement cross-curricular links and embed new languages in different contexts linking subjects such as history, science, PE and mathematics with French, German and Spanish;
• Arts and crafts projects in Languages, making and doing, including making books, creating beach huts and cooking biscuits;
• Languages, celebrations and festivals projects including the German Christmas market, Spanish Day of the Dead, celebrating Mardi Gras and the European Day of Languages among many others;
• Continuing Professional Development to inspire primary teachers to continue their individual professional development. The chapter contains concrete examples of others experiences in this area and includes details of support organisations and practical opportunities.

Each project is explored from the teachers perspective with practical tips, lesson plans and reflections woven throughout the text such as what to budget, how to organise the pre-event period, how to evaluate the activity and whom to contact for further advice in each case. Activities and examples throughout are given in three languages French, German and Spanish.

What does learning look like? What are different subjects really about? Why are transferable skills so important? How can we overcome the difficulties that children encounter in their learning? And what questions and prompts are likely to prove useful in helping children to get the most out of their lessons? The over-arching role of Teaching Assistants is to support teaching and learning in schools. To do this effectively, they need to understand the curriculum content of all the subjects in which they provide support and know what learning outcomes are sought. This accessible book provides an overview of the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes that children learn in each subject in their primary years. Written with the non-subject specialist in mind, and drawing on research and best practice in the classroom, this extremely practical book aims to provide the reader with the information they need to: deliver focused lessons to individual pupils, groups, or the whole class; concentrate on the most important elements when making classroom resources; make valuable assessments of the children's learning, and keep useful records of their achievements, progress and difficulties; take a full part in discussions with colleagues - selecting objectives, devising interesting activities and delivering exciting lessons in each of the subjects. Including a wide range of examples and activities, this book will prove an invaluable companion for all students working on STLS and Foundation Degree courses, and Teaching Assistants currently working in primary schools.

Is there an 'ideal' primary school curriculum? Who should decide what the curriculum is? Should teachers have autonomy over how they teach? The curriculum is the heart of what teachers teach and learners learn: effective teaching is only possible with an effective curriculum. Yet in spite of its importance, there has been a crisis in curriculum that has been caused in large part by governments assuming direct control over the curriculum, assessment, and increasingly, pedagogy. Creating the Curriculum tackles this thorny issue head on, challenging student and practising primary school teachers to think critically about past and present issues and to engage with a new wave of curriculum thinking and development. Considering curriculum construction and its impact on teaching and learning in the four countries of the UK, key issues considered include: who should decide the curriculum, its aims and its values the extent to which issues in primary education swing back and forth Subjects versus thematic organisation, stages and phases, progression, breadth and balance prescription versus teacher autonomy the key features of effective classroom practice strategies for assessing the whole curriculum how language in the classroom influences curriculum design understanding curricula in the context of children's social and personal circumstances creativity, curriculum and the classroom. Illustrated throughout with strategies and case studies from the classroom, Creating the Curriculum accessibly links the latest research and evidence with concrete examples of good practice. It is a timely exploration of what makes an effective and meanginful curriculum and how teachers can bring new relevance, motivation and powerful values to what they teach.

Bringing a fresh and lively approach to language study, Learning about Language is an exciting collection of fun, creative activities and warm-up games that explore the multifaceted nature of the English language. For use in any primary classroom, this book will help develop the pupil's knowledge of how the English language works and will improve their ability to use language effectively. Throughout the book, the author explains key features of the English language by arranging the volume alphabetically into sections, each of which explores a different linguistic feature. Foster suggests enjoyable activities that will enable students to consolidate their learning and improve their communication skills through word play, and frequently uses rhyme to illustrate and elaborate on points made. Areas covered include: Spelling, punctuation and grammar; Origin, meaning, similarities and differences of words, including homonyms, anagrams and synonyms; The explanation of particular uses of language for specific purposes; Humorous misuse of words, including malapropisms and spoonerisms; The inclusion of numerous opportunities for students to play with words by participating in word games and through their own writing. With its unique and accessible approach to language study, Learning about Language provides teachers of English with a dynamic collection of resources that will be welcomed by educators and students alike.

This book offers an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics tailored to the teaching and research needs of K-8 educators. Using statistics to tell a story, veteran teacher educator Robert Rosenfeld pushes readers away from simply performing a calculation to truly understanding the statistical concepts themselves. In addition to helping educators develop this statistical habit of mind, Rosenfeld also focuses on developing an understanding of the statistics in published research and on interpreting school data, which can be applied in school assessment and educational research. Features of this must-read resource include: Numerous exercises and activities throughout that are related specifically to the world of educators and are designed to foster conversation and small group discussion. Connections drawn between statistics and the regular mathematics curriculum to aid teachers who do classroom-based action research. A section covering the basic concepts of standardized tests, such as summative versus formative assessment, and standards-based versus norm-referenced tests. Accessibly written and conversational in tone, Statistics for K-8 Eductors provides the technical foundation to help teachers make good sense of quantitative information connected to their classrooms and to their schools.

'This book is clear, approachable, and true. The elegant simplicity of its good guidance is the product of years of practical experience in the classroom. I wholeheartedly commend it to primary school teachers everywhere.'

Michael Boyd, Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Shakespeare s plays are widely regarded as the greatest inheritance in English literature and recent years have seen a growing interest in introducing them to children in their primary schools. In this book, the authors bring a blend of clear thinking, playful and inventive practice and straightforward practical advice to bear on teaching Shakespeare in the primary school.

Children who encounter Shakespeare early have the opportunity to become comfortable with the plays, their stories, characters and settings, long before they might become intimidated by their associations with exclusivity and high culture. They are also given the chance to become familiar with and absorb his powerful and complex language at a stage when they are constantly encountering new vocabulary. To do this most effectively demands a dynamic pedagogy, one which recognises that the plays are best explored and understood through active, physical engagement.

Beginning Shakespeare 4-11 offers a sound rationale for teaching Shakespeare in primary schools and shows how to engage children with Shakespeare through story, through the very best of early years practice, and through his rich and sensual language. It also illustrates how engagement with the plays and their language can have a dramatic impact on children s writing. And because plays are for performing, there is helpful and practical advice on how to develop the work and share it with the whole school, parents and the wider community.

This accessible and comprehensive guide is ideal for teacher trainees and practising primary teachers everywhere.

Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11 provides an account of what creativity really means in the context of children s learning in the primary school, and describes in practical terms what teachers can do to foster it. At a time of curriculum development and change, it focuses on the opportunity to build a new curriculum that is inclusive of creativity and is fit for the twenty-first century.

The value of fostering creative thinking and problem solving abilities in education is widely recognised for its capacity to confer an independence and ability to function effectively in life. As such, encouraging children to be creative thinkers and problem solvers should be an integral part of everyday teaching and learning across all subjects.

Building upon the research and practices of a group of educators studying creativity across the curriculum and coordinated by the author, this book provides primary teachers and trainee teachers with easy to understand explanations of what creativity means in the context of the subjects of the curriculum for young children. It introduces ideas for how to nurture and support it, and explores issues associated with fostering it, such as assessment. Chapters cover areas including:

• A brief history of creativity and pedagogy, including common misconceptions
• Strategies for creative learning as well as creative teaching
• Creativity in English
• Creativity in Mathematics
• Creativity in Science and Design and Technology
• Creativity in Art and Music
• Creativity in History and the Humanities
• Creativity in ICT
• International perspectives on creativity

Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11 is an ideal source of information for teachers, teacher trainers, students on teaching programmes and anyone interested in developing opportunities for creativity across the primary school curriculum.

Computational thinking is a lifelong skill important for succeeding in careers and life. Students especially need to acquire this skill while in school as it can assist with solving a number of complex problems that arise later in life. Therefore, the importance of teaching computational thinking and coding in early education is paramount for fostering problem-solving and creativity. Teaching Computational Thinking and Coding to Young Children discusses the importance of teaching computational thinking and coding in early education. The book focuses on interdisciplinary connections between computational thinking and other areas of study, assessment methods for computational thinking, and different contexts in which computational thinking plays out. Covering topics such as programming, computational thinking assessment, computational expression, and coding, this book is essential for elementary and middle school teachers, early childhood educators, administrators, instructional designers, curricula developers, educational software developers, researchers, educators, academicians, and students in computer science, education, computational thinking, and early childhood education.

* Offers accessible and effective methods to supplement elementary education using strengths children already possess: imagination, physical energy and a need for personal expression, which cumulate into the idea of dynamic play * Chapters provide music, art, and dance material in addition to activities, games, and creative physical activities * Research about the correlation of movement to brain activity is included to support the thesis that creative movement as an effective adjunct to learning

In foreign language education, decisions must be taken on what languages to teach, who will teach them, in which schools (i.e. all, only urban, only rural), in which grades, the number of hours a week, and the cost involved. This book explores the answers to these questions across a number of Asian polities. It illustrates why some of the efforts undertaken are successful and why some are not, why - despite significant investments of time and resources - some students do not seem to acquire the languages being taught, and why some teachers responsible for instruction in the designated foreign languages have problems achieving fluency in the designated language or have other language teaching difficulties. It suggests some strategies various polities might attempt to achieve their stated language learning objectives. This book was originally published as a special issue of Current Issues in Language Planning.

Mission Statement: The mission of the series is to provide an integrated view of current knowledge within the various areas of early childhood education. Each volume in the series will present a scholarly, but accessible review of research and theory related to some aspect of early childhood education. The topics to be covered in each volume will be determined by which aspects of the field are considered particularly important at the time of its development as well as which are particularly generative in relation to current research and theory.

"We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. Learning outside the classroom is about raising achievement through an organised, powerful approach to learning in which direct experience is of prime importance."

LOTC Initiative manifesto

In Learning Outside the Primary Classroom, the educationalist and writer Fred Sedgwick explores in a practical way the many opportunities for intense learning that children and teachers can find outside the confines of the usual learning environment, the classroom.

This original work is based on tried and tested methods from UK primary schools. The author draws on current concerns in the educational world regarding outdoor learning as exemplified by the eight sector Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) initiative (supported by Ofsted), but remains refreshingly independent in approach.

Using a metaphor of concentric circles Learning Outside the Primary Classroom starts with a brief opening chapter based in the classroom itself before moving outwards to explore the learning possibilities presented by the immediate environs of the school playgrounds, gym halls, sports fields etc. Later chapters move beyond the school gates to explore the local shops, parks, religious centres, libraries and town halls and the myriad learning opportunities they represent. The final chapters explore the possibilities of larger scale day trips to major galleries and museums and more ambitious field trips.

How often do your primary school pupils have the opportunity to engage in open-ended, sustained pieces of work that offer them choice and control?

Do you find that the curriculum restricts openings to provide your pupils with real challenge?

Is your school grappling with finding effective ways in which to elicit authentic pupil voice?

"

Children as Researchers in Primary Schools "is an innovative and unique resource for practitioners supporting children to become real world researchers in the primary classroom. It will supply you with the skills and ideas you need to implement a children as researchers framework in your school that can be adapted for different ages and abilities. Children in primary schools are accustomed to being set short-term goals and are often unaware of long-term aims or of the connections between the concepts and skills they are learning. In contrast, this book demonstrates that children engaging in the research process have authentic opportunities to apply invaluable personal, learning and thinking skills while managing their own projects, making their voices heard and experiencing increased levels of engagement and self-esteem.

Based on the author s 4-year research study exploring the experiences of young researchers and teachers in primary schools, and on her considerable experience of training young researchers, this book also contains:

• the history and theory behind children as researchers initiatives;
• a model for good practice based on successful real life case studies;
• questions for reflective practice;
• practical examples of research in the classroom;
• photocopiable resources;
• opportunities for self-evaluation.

This comprehensive resource will be appeal to primary teachers, educational practitioners and students on CPD and ITT courses. It will also be of interest to teacher trainers, to academics involved in teaching and research and to all those interested in promoting children s voices.

Educators need to be able to engage with readers at every level, and part of their role is to evaluate where each student lies on the continuum and to improve their skills to bring them to the appropriate level. Engaging Young Readers is a beginner-level guide focusing on developmental reading strategies for elementary students at all stages, exploring how technology can be used to improve the skills of a wide range of readers, including beginning readers, struggling readers, reluctant readers, enriched readers, and English Language Learners (ELLs). Topics covered include: Activating Prior Knowledge Rhyming as a Predictor Phonological Awareness Predictable-Patterned Reading Using Music as an Instructional Tool Choral Reading Read Alouds Graphic Organizers Dramatic Learning Questioning Literature Circles Writing Workshops This book will give teachers the strategies and technology they need to meet their students where they are in their reading ability so they can move forward in their personalized skill development.

You've heard it said many times; reading and writing go hand in hand. It's true. But how do you meaningfully connect the two in everyday classroom practice? Taking cues from their students, two seasoned teachers will share what they've learned from occasionally converging their separate reading and writing workshops into one literacy workshop. In this forward-thinking book, Maria Walther and Karen Biggs-Tucker will help you save valuable classroom time while empowering students to uncover exciting connections in their learning-leading to stronger, more motivated readers and writers. The Literacy Workshop is a first-of-its-kind resource that offers a practical process for creating an integrated literacy workshop using demonstration lessons that align with current curriculum standards. By weaving together the common threads of literacy learning, you can increase the time your students spend engaged in authentic reading and writing. Inside you'll find the following: a clear, succinct explanation of the structure of the literacy workshop, how to get started, and how to determine when it's best to merge the two workshops into one 50 demonstration lessons, appropriate for both primary and intermediate grades using strategies that incorporate elements from recommended fiction and nonfiction anchor texts substantial, printable resources and tools to help make this instructional shift as smooth as possible From the big picture to the helpful details, The Literacy Workshop will be your guide as you blur the lines between your workshops-creating space for students to apply their learning and practice the habits, behaviors, and actions of literate, engaged citizens.

Charles Dickens is arguably the greatest storyteller in English Literature and his novels have been loved and respected for nearly two hundred years. As accurate reflections of Victorian society they are unparalleled. Vivid characters and realistic settings are created in the mind of the reader, all laced with Dickens inimitable humour, wit and lacerating political comment.

This book aims to bring alive these characters and settings in the minds of children. It provides a comprehensive resource for children not only to learn about the literary heritage of the English language, but also to encourage them to create meanings from these classic stories through their personal, social and cultural experiences. The authors set each novel in context, providing a synopsis of the book, as well as characters, settings themes and symbolism. Works covered include:

• A Christmas Carol
• Bleak House
• David Copperfield
• Great Expectations
• Hard Times
• Oliver Twist

But this book doesn t just aim to introduce classic literature to children; it also provides a wide range of truly contemporary tools with which they can respond creatively, including: drama and film, blogs, web 2.0 technologies, multimodality and animation and graphic novels.

The book is also accompanied by a CD which contains chapter outlines, extended text extracts, and practical resource sheets, including PowerPoint presentations, book review templates and flash cards, as well as a set of 8 week lesson plans for each novel.

The Essential Charles Dickens School Resource provides essential classroom learning material for teachers and literacy co-ordinators teaching Key Stages 1 -3, as well as CPD students and those studying on PGCE English/Drama courses.

This book critically analyses early school foreign language teaching policy and practice, foregrounding the influence of the socioeducational and cultural context on how policies are implemented and assessing the factors which either promote or constrain their effectiveness. It focuses on four Asian contexts - Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand - while providing a discussion of policy and practice in Canada and Finland as a comparison. Concentrating on the state school sector, it criticises the worldwide trend for a focus on English as the principal or only foreign language taught in primary schools, founded on a rationale that widespread proficiency in English is important for future national success in a globalised economy. It maintains that the economic rationale is not only largely unfounded and irrelevant to the language learning experiences of young children but also that the focus on English exacerbates system inequalities rather than contributing to their reduction. The book argues for a broader perspective on language learning in primary schools, one that values multilingualism and knowledge of regional and indigenous languages alongside a more diverse range of foreign languages. This book will appeal to educational policymakers, researchers and students interested in early foreign language learning in state educational systems worldwide.

This book critically analyses early school foreign language teaching policy and practice, foregrounding the influence of the socioeducational and cultural context on how policies are implemented and assessing the factors which either promote or constrain their effectiveness. It focuses on four Asian contexts - Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand - while providing a discussion of policy and practice in Canada and Finland as a comparison. Concentrating on the state school sector, it criticises the worldwide trend for a focus on English as the principal or only foreign language taught in primary schools, founded on a rationale that widespread proficiency in English is important for future national success in a globalised economy. It maintains that the economic rationale is not only largely unfounded and irrelevant to the language learning experiences of young children but also that the focus on English exacerbates system inequalities rather than contributing to their reduction. The book argues for a broader perspective on language learning in primary schools, one that values multilingualism and knowledge of regional and indigenous languages alongside a more diverse range of foreign languages. This book will appeal to educational policymakers, researchers and students interested in early foreign language learning in state educational systems worldwide.

This book explores teaching and learning through science investigation and practical work. It draws upon two representative case studies from New Zealand and examines what students are learning from science investigation; in addition, it identifies and describes ways in which teachers can make changes that benefit student learning when given time to reflect and respond to research literature and findings. The book illustrates how teaching through science investigations in ways that are informed by research can lead to positive learning outcomes for students. As such, it offers valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and educators with an interest in learning through science investigation.