Speaking and listening, along with reading and writing, are essential components of literacy and learning development within the National Primary Strategy. This best-selling introductory text updates teachers on national developments and best practice in speaking and listening in the classroom through: speaking and listening issues: a review story-telling and drama oral and popular culture and media planning for talk across the curriculum the impact of ICT: software, email, internet, computer games.

In the second edition of Building Your Home: An Insider's Guide, customer service expert Carol Smith shows you how to work with your builder to create the home of your dreams. This guide is a must-have for anyone planning to build a high-quality home. With this comprehensive, step-by-step book, you can avoid common mistakes in the home building process and Choose a qualified builder Establish your budget and secure financing Select the location, benefits, and features of your new home Participate effectively in the design and building process Prepare for home owner orientation, closing, and moving in Create a home maintenance plan Communicate with your builder on warranty service

Contents:
1. Adoption in Context: Social Change and Openness 2. Openness in Adoption: Essential for Children's Wellbeing? 3. Policy, Law and Openness in Adoption 4. The Study: Issues, Methods and Sample Characteristics 5. Preparation and Planning for Direct Contact 6. Adoptive Parents: Perspectives on Adoption and Direct Contact 7. Birth Relatives and Direct Contact 8. Children's Thoughts and Feelings: Adoption and Post Adoption Contact 9. Views from the Triangle 10. Direct Post-Adoption Contact: Benefits, Risks and Uncertainties

Contents:
1. Adoption in Context: Social Change and Openness 2. Openness in Adoption: Essential for Children's Wellbeing? 3. Policy, Law and Openness in Adoption 4. The Study: Issues, Methods and Sample Characteristics 5. Preparation and Planning for Direct Contact 6. Adoptive Parents: Perspectives on Adoption and Direct Contact 7. Birth Relatives and Direct Contact 8. Children's Thoughts and Feelings: Adoption and Post Adoption Contact 9. Views from the Triangle 10. Direct Post-Adoption Contact: Benefits, Risks and Uncertainties

A powerful exploration of grief and resilience that combines memoir, reportage, and lessons in how to heal Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Helen MacDonald found solace in training a wild goshawk. Cheryl Strayed found comfort in hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. For Carol Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist struggling with the sudden death of her seven-year-old son Christopher, the way to cross the river of sorrow was through work.In Crossing the River, Smith recounts how she faced down her crippling loss through reporting a series of profiles of people coping with their own intense challenges, whether a freak accident, a debilitating injury, or a terrifying diagnosis. Smith deftly mixes the stories of these individuals and their families with her own account of how they helped her heal. General John Shalikashvili, once the most powerful member of the American military, taught Carol how to face fear with discipline and endurance. Seth, a young boy with a rare and incurable illness, shed light on the totality of her son's experiences, and in turn helps readers see that the value of a life is not measured in days.This is a beautiful and profoundly moving book, an unforgettable journey through grief, and a valuable, illuminating read for anyone coping with loss.

Personal development (PD) groups are a key feature of many counsellor training programmes. Personal Development Groups for Trainee Counsellors: An Essential Companion is a comprehensive and accessible study guide written by experienced tutors and lecturers to support students with their PD group work and other personal development activities, helping students to get the most out of these experiences. This essential resource is aimed primarily at those who are new to counsellor training. It will also be useful for anyone who wants to understand more about the nature of PD groups and how these can be used effectively. Case studies, questions and activities encourage readers to reflect on different topics and on themselves, including looking at how to improve self-care and how mindfulness can help. The book looks at the historical background to PD groups; how they can be used effectively, and also real-life experiences from both tutors and recent students. Other chapters invite the reader to develop their self-awareness through gaining an understanding of how ethics, relationships and identity are developed. There is a discussion about the merits or otherwise of mandatory personal therapy for trainees and also a discussion about the use of supervision. Finally, other important aspects of personal development are discussed including personal therapy, supervision, self-care and mindfulness. Personal Development Groups for Trainee Counsellors will be of use to counsellor trainees on undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas to introduce them to PD groups and other essential activities. It will also be highly informative to those who are on counselling certificate courses to introduce them to aspects of personal development, as well as for tutors to support them in their work as PD group facilitators.

Book & CD. It's a proven fact -- maintaining positive relationships with homeowners after move-in increases sales. Savvy builders are putting this potent marketing force to work by ensuring that their after move-in services gives them the competitive edge. Whether your goal is to establish first-class warranty service or to go beyond warranty service with maintenance menus, educational programs, and social events, this book will teach you how to: align buyer's expectations with the service they receive; create a limited warranty document; develop and use warranty and maintenance guidelines effectively; structure warranty service procedures especially for your market; create an efficient repair process; make service a positive experience for home-owners. If you want to go beyond warranty to WOW your home owners, then this book is for you! The accompanying CD includes checklists, forms, sample letters, and other documents that will start you on your way today. The CD contains Microsoft Word and PDF documents. Windows Vista/Office 2007 compatible.

Personal development (PD) groups are a key feature of many counsellor training programmes. Personal Development Groups for Trainee Counsellors: An Essential Companion is a comprehensive and accessible study guide written by experienced tutors and lecturers to support students with their PD group work and other personal development activities, helping students to get the most out of these experiences. This essential resource is aimed primarily at those who are new to counsellor training. It will also be useful for anyone who wants to understand more about the nature of PD groups and how these can be used effectively. Case studies, questions and activities encourage readers to reflect on different topics and on themselves, including looking at how to improve self-care and how mindfulness can help. The book looks at the historical background to PD groups; how they can be used effectively, and also real-life experiences from both tutors and recent students. Other chapters invite the reader to develop their self-awareness through gaining an understanding of how ethics, relationships and identity are developed. There is a discussion about the merits or otherwise of mandatory personal therapy for trainees and also a discussion about the use of supervision. Finally, other important aspects of personal development are discussed including personal therapy, supervision, self-care and mindfulness. Personal Development Groups for Trainee Counsellors will be of use to counsellor trainees on undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas to introduce them to PD groups and other essential activities. It will also be highly informative to those who are on counselling certificate courses to introduce them to aspects of personal development, as well as for tutors to support them in their work as PD group facilitators.

A powerful exploration of grief following the death of the author's son that combines memoir, reportage, and lessons in how to heal Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Helen MacDonald found solace in training a wild goshawk. Cheryl Strayed found comfort in hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. For Carol Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist struggling with the sudden death of her seven-year-old son Christopher, the way to cross the river of sorrow was through work. In Crossing the River, Smith recounts how she faced down her crippling loss through reporting a series of profiles of people coping with their own intense challenges, whether a freak accident, a debilitating injury, or a terrifying diagnosis. Smith deftly mixes the stories of these individuals and their families with her own account of how they helped her heal. General John Shalikashvili, once the most powerful member of the American military, taught Carol how to face fear with discipline and endurance. Seth, a young boy with a rare and incurable illness, shed light on the totality of her son's experiences, and in turn helps readers see that the value of a life is not measured in days. This is a beautiful and profoundly moving book, an unforgettable journey through grief, and a valuable, illuminating read for anyone coping with loss.

Aimed at students on primary teaching teacher training courses this practical handbook looks at how to develop children's abilities in speaking and listening, as required by the National Curriculum. Speaking and listening, along with reading and writing, are essential components of literacy and learning development within the National Primary Strategy. This best-selling introductory text updates teachers on national developments and best practice in speaking and listening in the classroom through: Speaking and listening issues: a review Story-telling and drama Oral and popular culture and media Planning for talk across the curriculum The impact of ICT: software, email, internet, computer games

Gardening on a Gradient: Designing and Establishing Sloping Gardens is a complete guide to tackling one of a garden designer's biggest challenges. Whatever the size or the gradient, creating a garden on a sloping site presents lots of conflicting possibilities and potentially expensive choices. Whether home gardener or professional designer, this accessible book will guide you through the challenge, from the initial garden site assessment and survey, right through the design process to the final stages of planting. Step-by-step instructions and explanative diagrams offer readers practical solutions and tried-and-tested methods, as well as inspiration and some novel ideas drawn from sloping gardens around the UK.

Designing Gardens with Plant Shapes introduces a new visual approach to planting design. Instead of relying heavily on plant knowledge, it provides a practical, hands-on method for the design of planting, so that the final garden suits your needs and style. This innovative book sets out the principles of planting design, introduces the nine plant shapes and a selection of appropriate plants, and explains how all gardeners - from the novice to the experienced - can achieve a beautiful and rewarding garden.