Why do America's public schools seem unable to meet today's social challenges? As competing interest groups vie over issues like funding and curricula, we seem to have lost sight of the democratic purposes originally intended for public education.

Public schools were envisioned by the Founders as democratically run institutions for instilling civic values, but today's education system seems more concerned with producing good employees than good citizens. Meanwhile, our country's diversity has eroded consensus about citizenship, and the professionalization of educators has diminished public involvement in schools.

This volume seeks to demonstrate that the democratic purposes of education are not outmoded ideas but can continue to be driving forces in public education. Nine original articles by some of today's leading education theorists cut a broad swath across the political spectrum to examine how those democratic purposes might be redefined and revived. It both establishes the intellectual foundation for revitalizing American schools and offers concrete ideas for how the educational process can be made more democratic.

The authors make a case for better empirical research about the politics of education in order to both reconnect schools to their communities and help educators instill citizenship. An initial series of articles reexamines the original premise of American education as articulated by important thinkers like Jefferson and Dewey. A second group identifies flaws in how schools are currently governed and offers models for change. A final section analyzes the value conflicts posed by the twin strands of democratic socialization and governance, and their implications for education policy.

Spanning philosophy, history, sociology, and political science, this book brings together the best current thinking about the specifics of education policy--vouchers, charter schools, national testing--and about the role of deliberation in a democracy. It offers a cogent alternative to the exchange paradigm and shows how much more needs to be understood about an issue so vital to America's future.

The Castle in the Classroom describes a year in a kindergarten classroom as the children embark on literary exploration. Each child approaches the journey from a different perspective - some are self-sufficient, others more hesitant; some are literary adventurers, others shyly reluctant. The detailed focus lessons throughout the book use the power of stories - personal narratives, folktales, and fairy tales - to deepen the literary experience so that reading and writing become as much a part of kindergarten as playing and pretending are. As the book progresses through the year, teachers will find a wealth of resources, including practical models to teach strategies and skills; effective teaching schedules; ways to address, challenge, expand, and celebrate student learning; examples of student work; parent education materials; and ideas on how to manage assessment. By the end of the year, your students - like those in Ranu's class - will have built on their love of storytelling to establish a strong literacy foundation.

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.

Digital tools have a clear educational purpose, but how do we help students with the darker corners of the web? This book provides timely, much-needed advice for educators on how to teach students to handle the anger and divisiveness that pervades social media and that is impossible to ignore when using tech for other purposes. Author Andrew Marcinek provides strategies we can use to help students with issues such as navigating relationships; understanding digital ethics and norms; returning to a balance with screen time; reclaiming conversation; holding yourself accountable; creating a new digital mindset; and more. Throughout, there are practical features such as Pause and Reflects, Teachable Moments, and classroom activities and lesson plans, so you can easily implement the ideas across content areas and grade levels.

Enter the world of Britannica's Ready-for-School Words and discover all the people, places and things in your community and beyond! Featuring all the words a child should know before they start school, this charming book takes you from home all the way to outer space with objects clearly labelled and simplified definitions. Children will start school with confidence and a brand-new vocabulary after exploring the colourful community in this book, created by the experts at Britannica Books.

Secondary mathematics teachers are frequently required to take a large number of mathematics courses - including advanced mathematics courses such as abstract algebra - as part of their initial teacher preparation program and/or their continuing professional development. The content areas of advanced and secondary mathematics are closely connected. Yet, despite this connection many secondary teachers insist that such advanced mathematics is unrelated to their future professional work in the classroom. This edited volume elaborates on some of the connections between abstract algebra and secondary mathematics, including why and in what ways they may be important for secondary teachers. Notably, the volume disseminates research findings about how secondary teachers engage with, and make sense of, abstract algebra ideas, both in general and in relation to their own teaching, as well as offers itself as a place to share practical ideas and resources for secondary mathematics teacher preparation and professional development. Contributors to the book are scholars who have both experience in the mathematical preparation of secondary teachers, especially in relation to abstract algebra, as well as those who have engaged in related educational research. The volume addresses some of the persistent issues in secondary mathematics teacher education in connection to advanced mathematics courses, as well as situates and conceptualizes different ways in which abstract algebra might be influential for teachers of algebra. Connecting Abstract Algebra to Secondary Mathematics, for Secondary Mathematics Teachers is a productive resource for mathematics teacher educators who teach capstone courses or content-focused methods courses, as well as for abstract algebra instructors interested in making connections to secondary mathematics.

The professionalism of the early childhood sector has gained prominence on the policy agendas of many countries. National pedagogical frameworks or curricula and an upsurge of pathways to gaining or upgrading qualifications has led to a pervasive terminology of professionalism. Yet, despite the pervasiveness of this terminology, the question of what professionalism means in early years contexts remains open to debate.

This book draws together the work of an international group of scholars who have engaged with this question. They ask: How can professionalism be conceptualised in early childhood settings? How might one act professionally in increasingly diverse and changing social and cultural contexts? Do we have a common ground of understanding about these terms? Are there key concepts that can be agreed upon? Drawing on research and experience across a wide range of national contexts, this book seeks an understanding of early childhood professionalism in local contexts that might throw light on the global implications of this term.

This book was published as a special issue in the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.

How do you broach family values with seven year olds? Can you help young children understand racism? Can you avoid bringing your own prejudices into the classroom?

Talking effectively about controversial issues with young children is a challenge facing every primary school teacher. Tackling Controversial Issues in the Primary School provides teachers with support and guidance as you engage with the more tricky questions and topics you and your pupils encounter.

Illuminated with case studies and examples of how teachers and children have confronted issues together, this book helps you understand your own perspectives and provides fresh approaches for the primary classroom.

It considers how best to work with parents and carers, whole-school policies for tackling issues, and ideas for circle time, setting up international links, school councils and buddying systems. The range of challenging topics covered includes:

• family values
• racism in mono and multi-cultural settings
• democracy and citizenship
• the environment and sustainability
• consumerism, finances and media advertising
• gender, health and identity
• grief and loss.

For all student and practising primary teachers, Tackling Controversial Issues in the Primary School provides much needed support as you help your learners face complicated ideas, find their voice and get involved in the issues that they feel make a difference.

Adventure Stories for Reading, Learning and Literacy takes a unique approach to cross-curricular teaching in the primary classroom. Providing eight original adventure stories, the authors build up a suite of resources and activities for teachers to use in the classroom, providing cross curricular links in line with the PNS framework, to literacy, science, PE, design and technology, numeracy, geography and history. Though the stories will interest both girls and boys, they take special care to appeal to boys, who are known to achieve less highly than girls in reading and writing, and include themes such as:

• cars
• football
• ghosts and ghouls
• heroic deeds
• space and aliens.

Each story is linked explicitly to moral and social values, and can be used to reinforce citizenship, PHSE and SEAL initiatives in primary schools. With photocopiable resources for each story, this book offers instant ideas which can be implemented easily in teacher's plans and in the classroom and assembly, and will appeal to all busy teachers, NQTs and teachers in training.

This vital, sensitive guide explains the serious issues children face online and how they are impacted by them on a developmental, neurological, social, mental health and wellbeing level. Covering technologies used by children aged two through to adulthood, it offers parents and professionals clear, evidence-based information about online harms and their effects and what they can do to support their child should they see, hear or bear witness to these events online. Catherine Knibbs, specialist advisor in the field, explains the issues involved when using online platforms and devices in family, social and educational settings. Examined in as non-traumatising a way as possible, the book covers key topics including cyberbullying; cyberstalking; pornography; online grooming; sexting; live streaming; vigilantism; suicide and self-harm; trolling and e-harassment; bantz, doxing and social media hacking; dares, trends and life-threatening activities; information and misinformation; and psychological games. It also explores the complex overlap of offline and online worlds in children and young people’s lives. Offering guidance and proactive and reactive strategies based in neuroscience and child development, it reveals how e-safety is not one size fits all and must consider individual children’s and families’ vulnerabilities. Online Harms and Cybertrauma will equip professionals and parents with the knowledge to support their work and direct conversations about the online harms that children and young people face. It is essential reading for those training and working with children in psychological, educational and social work contexts, as well as parents, policy makers and those involved in development of online technologies.

This book brings together an international group of researchers reporting on their work about play and early childhood education across 13 countries - Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Germany, Hong Kong, United States of America, India, The Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, China and Australia. It contributes to growing international conversations about play and the role of play in early childhood education. Each of the chapters in this anthology reflects different directions in research as well as a range of approaches to reconceptualising play. Each researcher questions assumptions underpinning young children's play and early childhood education and explores the implications of these questions for further research, practice and policy. Chapters report a wide range of innovative and transformative research, focusing on areas such as the play of infants and toddlers, the role of values in play, the complexity of connections between play and learning, motivation, the role and understandings of early childhood educators in promoting children's play, risky play and the impact of Westernised approaches to play in different contexts. This book argues for the importance of children's play at a time when there is a great deal of pressure to increase the academic focus of early education and to eliminate play that could be deemed risky. Several authors note moves towards pedagogies of play and explore the potential links between play and learning in early education settings. The research reported in this book is a timely reminder of the value of play, for and of itself, as well as the learning potential of play. It provides a pathway into the debates about the role and value of play in early years' education for students, researchers and policy-makers.

Small-scale Research in Primary Schools provides guidance and inspiration for students and practitioners undertaking practical investigations and workplace enquiry in the primary school. The 30 chapters are carefully selected to illustrate a range of approaches to educational enquiry, and are particularly relevant to the range of practitioners who may carry out school-based research as part of a course of study: teachers, trainee- and newly-qualified teachers, teaching assistants, learning mentors and staff who support children with individual needs. Research topics addressed in chapters include children's learning in the core curriculum subjects as well as themes central to teaching and learning. Important concepts and terminology are highlighted throughout. More specifically, areas of research explored include: Play Special Educational Needs Working with parents and families English as an Additional Language Creativity Language development Learning environments Small-scale Research in Primary Schools provides a straightforward, highly accessible introduction to enquiry approaches and research methodologies, and the questions and challenges adults in schools encounter about children's learning. It shows how small-scale research in primary education can impact on professional thinking and learning. It aims to provide constructive support for students and practitioners in extending their knowledge and understanding through workplace enquiry.

Get ready for kick off and prepare to meet all of your literacy goals with Literacy in Action: Football.

All year 5 and particularly year 6 teachers know about the pressure to help children deliver levels of achievement laid down by higher authorities than themselves. Many of the reluctant writers are passionate about football. Literacy in Action: Football could be the answer to their and your prayers, offering expert, tried and trusted techniques for teaching literacy, developed within the context of the 'Beautiful Game'. For those not bitten by the football bug there are alternative options. Literacy in Action: Football is a fun and inspiring addition to your literacy teaching.

This unique classroom resource contains twenty-four lesson plans, each structured like a football match. For an hour, transform your classroom into Wembley Stadium Each detailed lesson plan includes:

• short, kinaesthetic, focussed tasks with instant feedback and praise
• speaking and listening exercises ? children engage in talking and collaborative work before completing a writing task
• key points from research in to boys? writing in special notes for teachers
• alternative tasks available for those not interested in football
• differentiated material for a wide ability range.

Literacy in Action: Football is written by Heather Butler, a writer, literacy consultant and story writing workshop leader. Literacy in Action: Football has been tested extensively by year 5 and year 6 teachers in leafy-green, inner city, multi-cultural and rural settings with amazing results. Why not try it for yourself?

Reflection and Reflective Spaces in the Early Years will support readers in developing their own reflective practice and creating reflective environments for the young children and families they work with. Combining case studies and reflective tasks to compliment a range of theories, concepts and alternative approaches to reflection, this book shows how the reflective process can help practitioners adapt to rapid changes in the sector and improve professional practice. Drawing on action research alongside the use of Japanese words and concepts (such as Ikigai, exploring your reason for being, Hansei, the art of honest self- reflection, and Wabi-Sabi, reflecting upon your perfectly imperfect self), chapters are full of practical guidance, activities and questions to prompt reflective thinking, covering such topics as: Reflection and Reflective Theory The Art of Self Reflection The Reflective Underground Creating Reflective Spaces in the Early Years The Rainbow Researcher Framework How to create reflective spaces in Early Years Exploring Creative Methods of Reflection This book will be invaluable reading for early years practitioners, tutors and early years students on level 3 courses and Foundation Degrees, but also for anyone interested in reflection or starting an academic or professional journey where you are required to reflect upon your practice.

Writers in every field play with words each time they sit down at their desks. In his newest book, Ralph Fletcher demonstrates how playful craft can energize student writing and breathe new energy into the writing workshop. Children have a natural affinity for language play; Pyrotechnics on the Page demonstrates how writing teachers can tap into it. This book provides a wealth of resources for teachers: Information on the roots and developmental importance of language play; A how-to on using the writer's notebook as a playground for students to explore and experiment with verbal pyrotechnics; An in-depth look at the kind of language play commonly used by writers, including chapters on Puns and Double Meanings, Idioms and Expressions, Inventing Words, and Harnessing the Supple Power of Sentences (these chapters end with a Bringing It to the Writing Workshop" section that includes explicit classroom connections) Twenty-four brand new craft lessons to bring pyrotechnics into the classroom An extensive bibliography of relevant mentor texts that make it easy to model language play for students. Pyrotechnics on the Page is vintage Fletcher: personal, anecdotal, and practical. It represents the latest chapter in Ralph's efforts to widen the circle in the writing classroom, make it a more engaging place for student writers and, in the process, lift the quality of their writing.

This book increases understanding of, and provides inspiration for, the conduct of research in primary/elementary education. It discusses and evaluates the selection and development of research methods used for their own innovatory projects. They explore the relationship between their choice of research methods, the frameworks for analysis used and research findings. In so doing they address the topical and controversial issues posed by these methods and alternative data-gathering techniques. These include:

• the case for the use of random-controlled trials to inform policy-making and improve classroom practice
• the role of mixed methods to investigate the social aspects of inclusion
• children as researchers researching their peers
• the relationship between research and teacher development
• an analysis of the portrayal of teachers and education in the regional and national news
• the contribution of qualitative research in cross-national projects.

In research on teaching and learning in primary schools, accessing the views and experiences of children is crucial. Consequently, the possibilities and limitations of data collection techniques for collecting the views of children are central and concerns about validity and ethics posed by the power relationships between researchers and research participants are examined.

This book was based on a special issue of Educational 3-13 International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.

Instructional Strategies for Middle and High School is an accessible, practical, and engaging methods textbook that introduces pre-service teachers to various instructional strategies and helps them to decide how and when to use these methods in the classroom. Classrooms are comprised of diverse learners, and aspiring teachers will face complex decisions about student assessment. This book offers practical suggestions for ways to integrate effective classroom management and valid assessment techniques with each instructional strategy. Key features include: Clear, step-by-step descriptions of six instructional techniques that pre-service teachers can realistically implement within the classroom setting and videos of these strategies being employed in actual middle-school classrooms; Practical suggestions for ways to integrate effective classroom management and valid assessment techniques with each instructional strategy; Concrete examples to illustrate each concept or teaching method described; Guidelines for deciding which instructional methods are most appropriate to different classroom situations and for diverse learners, including "Teaching with Technology" and "Teaching English Language Learners" features now included in every chapter. This book equips pre-service teachers with the methodological tools to promote understanding, conceptual awareness, and learning for every student. Updated and fully comprehensive online support materials, with both student and instructor resources, offer real-world applications of strategies, classroom assessment and management. Resources include videos, lesson templates, review questions, state standard assessments, and more.

Improve parent engagement for better communication and an environment of partnership. This second edition of Parent-Friendly Early Learning brings to life real scenarios that care providers face in today's world. We know parent engagement is important for a child's success, but how do you turn parent-provider relationships into partnerships? Learn how to improve parent-teacher communication, deal with family issues and special complications, and how to work with the modern family.

Readings for Learning to Teach in the Secondary School brings together key articles to develop and support student teachers' understanding of the theory, research and evidence base that underpins effective practice.

Designed for all students engaging with M Level study, each reading is contextualised and includes questions to encourage reflection and help you engage with material critically. Annotated further reading for every section supports your own research and writing.

Readings are structured to make links with the practical guidance in the accompanying core textbook, Learning to Teach in the Secondary School. Topics covered include:

• motivation
• troublesome classroom behaviour
• ability grouping
• inclusive education
• personalised learning
• testing
• achievement and underachievement.

Edited by the team that brings us Learning to Teach in the Secondary School, this Reader is an indispensible 'one-stop' resource that will support all students studying, researching and writing at M level on PGCE courses, as well as those on all other secondary education courses and masters degrees.

Unique in its field, the Encyclopedia of Primary Education brings together a wide-ranging body of information relating to current educational practice in a single indispensable volume. This book provides a series of descriptions, definitions and explanations that engage with important practical and conceptual ideas in primary education and contains over 500 entries incorporating:

Based on the author's extensive experience in primary education, entries combine an interrogation of educational concepts with the pedagogical and practical implications for classroom practice, children's learning and school management. This handy reference work will be invaluable to anyone currently teaching or training to teach at primary level, teaching assistants, school governors and parents. In fact it is essential reading for anyone with an interest and passion for primary education.

Unique in its field, the Encyclopedia of Primary Education brings together a wide-ranging body of information relating to current educational practice in a single indispensable volume. This book provides a series of descriptions, definitions and explanations that engage with important practical and conceptual ideas in primary education and contains over 500 entries incorporating:

Based on the author s extensive experience in primary education, entries combine an interrogation of educational concepts with the pedagogical and practical implications for classroom practice, children s learning and school management. This handy reference work will be invaluable to anyone currently teaching or training to teach at primary level, teaching assistants, school governors and parents. In fact it is essential reading for anyone with an interest and passion for primary education.

With approximately 16,000 students beginning primary teacher education in the UK each year, and each of those being expected to teach art and design, this pioneering volume provides a renewed emphasis on ideas, issues and research in art and design education in the primary and early years phases. It gathers together work from internationally recognised authors, providing a critical framework to underpin current and developing practice in primary art and design education in the UK and worldwide.Through in-depth exploration of debates that have taken place worldwide amongst art educators, it provides a critical framework to underpin current and developing practice. Herne's edited collection is a welcome addition to art and design education and will be of interest to all those involved in primary art and design education, whether teachers, trainees, post-graduate students or academics.