Very little is known about the quality of the learning experiences provided for pupils. This book contains the results of a major research project, conducted in a sample of English primary schools, in which particular attention was paid to the tasks children were assigned, to the degree of match between assigned tasks and pupil attainment, to the detailed observation of children at work. The teacher's problems in assigning work appropriate to children's attainments and the special problem of matching posed by the transfer of children from one class to another were also subjected to analysis. Lessons learned from the project were used as a basis for the design of an in-service course for teachers. The course, which was aimed at improving teachers' matching skills was closely evaluated. The report contains data and analysis pertinent to each of the above issues. The findings reveal that despite the conscientious efforts of able teachers a number of serious issues are apparent - particularly in areas such as classroom organization and teacher diagnosis of children's work.

Having a deep understanding of the mathematical ideas and concepts taught in the classroom is vital as a nursery or primary school teacher. In order for children to get to grips with these concepts, trainee teachers need to be aware of how they come to interpret and understand them. Now in its 5th edition, this essential book helps trainee teachers develop their own knowledge of key mathematical ideas and concepts for the nursery and primary classroom. Now focusing specifically on ages 3-7, it also supports trainees with several age-appropriate classroom activities. As well as updates to further reading suggestions and research focuses, this revised edition includes new content on: Mastery in learning mathematics Simple fractions Roman numerals Money as a form of measurement

This text is based on the author's research into primary school teacher's stress. The research has been linked with the author's belief in the need to understand ourselves, our personal and professional situations and how they relate. The resulting book is a practical text designed to address the reader in such a way that they can readily identify with what is being discussed. Futhermore, readers are encouraged to explore ways in which they can begin to tackle their own problems.

Very little is known about the quality of the learning experiences provided for pupils. This book contains the results of a major research project, conducted in a sample of English primary schools, in which particular attention was paid to the tasks children were assigned, to the degree of match between assigned tasks and pupil attainment, to the detailed observation of children at work. The teacher s problems in assigning work appropriate to children s attainments and the special problem of matching posed by the transfer of children from one class to another were also subjected to analysis. Lessons learned from the project were used as a basis for the design of an in-service course for teachers. The course, which was aimed at improving teachers matching skills was closely evaluated. The report contains data and analysis pertinent to each of the above issues. The findings reveal that despite the conscientious efforts of able teachers a number of serious issues are apparent particularly in areas such as classroom organization and teacher diagnosis of children s work.

Contents:
Introduction 1. Recruiting and Retaining Good Teachers: A Non-Trivial Facet of Education Policy 2. What Do Job Seekers Want? 3. What Factors Influence the Quality of Trainees' School Experience? 4. What Are Trainee Teachers Looking for in their First Posts? 5. What Do Teachers What? The Quality of Teachers Working Lives 6. How Do Schools Attract and Retain Good Supply Teachers? 7. So What Can Schools Do?

Sam - a young and enthusiastic trainee teacher - asked the class, 'What is the difference between 7 and 6?'. Jo's hand shot up and he immediately responded, 'Well seven is all straight lines and sixes are all curly.' How can you help children to make progress in mathematical understanding? Children's mathematical misconceptions very often arise as a result of poor communication. This practical and innovative book presents a range of creative strategies to help teachers communicate effectively in the mathematics classroom, offering some new ways of presenting the fundamental concepts and principles of mathematics, and clearly demonstrating that the most effective form of communication is not always verbal. Each chapter focuses on a theme or concept central to the numeracy strategy, such as subtraction, shape and space, constructing and connecting 2D and 3D shapes, data-logging and graph interpretation, and mathematical reasoning. Each chapter supports teachers' subject knowledge as well as suggesting a range of communication strategies (e.g. speaking, listening, drawing, role play, and visual methods such as posters and ICT work) to help teachers and children to share and build on their understanding. All of the activities have been tried and tested in classrooms across Europe. Written by a team of highly experienced teachers, the book will be valuable reading for pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators and anyone who has an interest in extending the ways children actively engage with mathematics. Teachers with EAL pupils in their class may find it of particular value in communicating mathematical concepts to those who find English difficult. The book is accompanied by a DVD which includes video clips of children at work in mathematics classrooms, software used in the project, copies of material from the book and additional activities.

Focusing on the major topics underpinning professional studies strands in primary and early years teacher education, Teaching Children Three-Eleven provides indispensable coverage of vital practical and conceptual issues that support good teaching practice. This Third Edition of the popular textbook has been carefully revised, following detailed lecturer feedback, to meet the evolving needs of students training to teach across the three to eleven age range. Featuring four new chapters on curriculum development, cross-curricular teaching, diversity and inclusion, and communication in the classroom, and engaging with the growing need for Master's-level study in teacher education, the new edition offers a balanced contemporary overview of modern teaching practice in an engaging and accessible manner. This is essential reading for all students on primary and early years initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching. It will also be invaluable for those starting out on their professional careers. Anne Cockburn is Professor of Early Years Education at the University of East Anglia Graham Handscomb is Senior Manager in Strategic Development, for School Improvement and Early Years at Essex County Council

Sam - a young and enthusiastic trainee teacher - asked the class, 'What is the difference between 7 and 6?'. Jo's hand shot up and he immediately responded, 'Well seven is all straight lines and sixes are all curly.' How can you help children to make progress in mathematical understanding? Children's mathematical misconceptions very often arise as a result of poor communication. This practical and innovative book presents a range of creative strategies to help teachers communicate effectively in the mathematics classroom, offering some new ways of presenting the fundamental concepts and principles of mathematics, and clearly demonstrating that the most effective form of communication is not always verbal. Each chapter focuses on a theme or concept central to the numeracy strategy, such as subtraction, shape and space, constructing and connecting 2D and 3D shapes, data-logging and graph interpretation, and mathematical reasoning. Each chapter supports teachers' subject knowledge as well as suggesting a range of communication strategies (e.g. speaking, listening, drawing, role play, and visual methods such as posters and ICT work) to help teachers and children to share and build on their understanding. All of the activities have been tried and tested in classrooms across Europe. Written by a team of highly experienced teachers, the book will be valuable reading for pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators and anyone who has an interest in extending the ways children actively engage with mathematics. Teachers with EAL pupils in their class may find it of particular value in communicating mathematical concepts to those who find English difficult. The book is accompanied by a DVD which includes video clips of children at work in mathematics classrooms, software used in the project, copies of material from the book and additional activities.

How do children relate to numbers and mathematics? How can they be helped to understand and make sense of them? People are rarely ambivalent towards mathematics, having either a love or hate relationship with the subject, and our approach to it is influenced by a variety of factors. How we are taught mathematics as children plays a big role in our feelings towards it. Numbers play a large part in our lives, and it is therefore beneficial to inspire a positive attitude towards them at a young age. With contributors comprised of teachers, teacher educators, mathematicians and psychologists, Mathematical Misconceptions brings together information about pupils' work from four different countries, and looks at how children, from the ages of 3 - 11, think about numbers and use them. It explores the reasons for their successes, misunderstandings and misconceptions, while also broadening the reader's own mathematical knowledge. Chapters explore: - the seemingly paradoxical number zero - the concept of equality - children's perceptions and misconceptions of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing - the learning process - the ways in which children acquire number concepts. This unique book will transform the way in which primary school teachers think about mathematics. Fascinating reading for anyone working with children of this age, it will be of particular interest to teachers, trainee teachers and teaching assistants. It will show them how to engage children in the mysteries and delights of numbers.

How do children relate to numbers and mathematics? How can they be helped to understand and make sense of them? People are rarely ambivalent towards mathematics, having either a love or hate relationship with the subject, and our approach to it is influenced by a variety of factors. How we are taught mathematics as children plays a big role in our feelings towards it. Numbers play a large part in our lives, and it is therefore beneficial to inspire a positive attitude towards them at a young age. With contributors comprised of teachers, teacher educators, mathematicians and psychologists, Mathematical Misconceptions brings together information about pupils' work from four different countries, and looks at how children, from the ages of 3 - 11, think about numbers and use them. It explores the reasons for their successes, misunderstandings and misconceptions, while also broadening the reader's own mathematical knowledge. Chapters explore: - the seemingly paradoxical number zero - the concept of equality - children's perceptions and misconceptions of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing - the learning process - the ways in which children acquire number concepts. This unique book will transform the way in which primary school teachers think about mathematics. Fascinating reading for anyone working with children of this age, it will be of particular interest to teachers, trainee teachers and teaching assistants. It will show them how to engage children in the mysteries and delights of numbers.

Having a deep understanding of the mathematical ideas and concepts taught in the classroom is vital as a nursery or primary school teacher. In order for children to get to grips with these concepts, trainee teachers need to be aware of how they come to interpret and understand them. Now in its 5th edition, this essential book helps trainee teachers develop their own knowledge of key mathematical ideas and concepts for the nursery and primary classroom. Now focusing specifically on ages 3-7, it also supports trainees with several age-appropriate classroom activities. As well as updates to further reading suggestions and research focuses, this revised edition includes new content on: Mastery in learning mathematics Simple fractions Roman numerals Money as a form of measurement

Focusing on the major topics underpinning professional studies strands in primary and early years teacher education, Teaching Children Three-Eleven provides indispensable coverage of vital practical and conceptual issues that support good teaching practice. This Third Edition of the popular textbook has been carefully revised, following detailed lecturer feedback, to meet the evolving needs of students training to teach across the three to eleven age range. Featuring four new chapters on curriculum development, cross-curricular teaching, diversity and inclusion, and communication in the classroom, and engaging with the growing need for Master's-level study in teacher education, the new edition offers a balanced contemporary overview of modern teaching practice in an engaging and accessible manner. This is essential reading for all students on primary and early years initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching. It will also be invaluable for those starting out on their professional careers. Anne Cockburn is Professor of Early Years Education at the University of East Anglia Graham Handscomb is Senior Manager in Strategic Development, for School Improvement and Early Years at Essex County Council