This book presents a wide range of international perspectives that explore the different ways the diverse forms of drama supports learning in science. It illustrates how learning science by adopting and adapting theatrical techniques can offer more inclusive ways for students to relate to scientific ideas and concepts. The theatrical processes by which subject matter can be introduced, thought about, discussed, transformed, enacted and disseminated are shown to be endless. The first section of the book considers different ways of theorising and applying drama in classrooms. The second section provides a range of case studies illustrating how role play, performance, embodiment and enquiry approaches can be utilised for learning in primary, secondary and tertiary education contexts. The third section demonstrates how different research methods from questionnaires, particular kinds of tests and even the theatrical conventions themselves can provide rich data that informs how drama impacts on learning science.

Dramatic Science is an invaluable tool for any teachers and primary science leaders who have classes of 5 - 10 year olds. It provides the busy professional with a range of tried and tested techniques to use drama as a support and aid to the teaching of science to young children. The techniques within this book offer innovative and creative strategies for teaching a challenging area of the curriculum and broadening teachers' own scientific knowledge and understanding. All the strategies in this book have been shown to work effectively in a range of primary schools. The approaches described offer an inclusive and participatory way to teach science and the authors provide a pedagogical commentary on the ways that teachers have tried the techniques and how they have worked best. Reflective discussion on the strategies will include discussion about how the children have responded to these strategies and how the drama experiences have impacted on their learning. This invaluable resource:- Supports working and thinking scientifically Develops critical and creative thinking Scaffolds creative learning Broadens teachers' scientific knowledge and understanding Enhances children's understanding of science Provides guidance on active and participatory learning Can engage children and teachers at a variety of levels Links science to real life Heightens children's application of science to different situations Develops problem solving and enquiry skills Enhances and extends speaking and listening skills Any teachers wishing to hone their practice to motivate children and improve their science learning and attainment will find this an invaluable resource. It will also be useful for science leaders, specialist teachers and other professionals who are involved in supporting schools to improve the quality of learning in science and other subjects, trainee teachers and NQTs interested in developing creative learning in their classrooms.

Dramatic Science is an invaluable tool for any teachers and primary science leaders who have classes of 5 - 10 year olds. It provides the busy professional with a range of tried and tested techniques to use drama as a support and aid to the teaching of science to young children. The techniques within this book offer innovative and creative strategies for teaching a challenging area of the curriculum and broadening teachers' own scientific knowledge and understanding. All the strategies in this book have been shown to work effectively in a range of primary schools. The approaches described offer an inclusive and participatory way to teach science and the authors provide a pedagogical commentary on the ways that teachers have tried the techniques and how they have worked best. Reflective discussion on the strategies will include discussion about how the children have responded to these strategies and how the drama experiences have impacted on their learning. This invaluable resource:- Supports working and thinking scientifically Develops critical and creative thinking Scaffolds creative learning Broadens teachers' scientific knowledge and understanding Enhances children's understanding of science Provides guidance on active and participatory learning Can engage children and teachers at a variety of levels Links science to real life Heightens children's application of science to different situations Develops problem solving and enquiry skills Enhances and extends speaking and listening skills Any teachers wishing to hone their practice to motivate children and improve their science learning and attainment will find this an invaluable resource. It will also be useful for science leaders, specialist teachers and other professionals who are involved in supporting schools to improve the quality of learning in science and other subjects, trainee teachers and NQTs interested in developing creative learning in their classrooms.

This student friendly practical guide helps you get to grips with reflective practice in teaching, through bite-sized sections that are informative and quickly digestible. The book clearly explains some of the best-known theories on reflective practice and then shows how reflection on and in practice can have a positive impact on classroom performance. The very real problems faced by beginning teachers are brought to life through the use of rich case studies as well as extracts drawn from the reflective journals of those starting their teaching career. The illustrative case studies consider how reflective practice can inform your teaching practice, including: Preparing for teaching Fitting into your school Designing lessons Managing behaviour Planning for creativity Assessing effectively Developing essential teaching techniques Working effectively with your mentor Extending your professional practice at Master's level An additional feature of the book is the inclusion of a number of new suggestions for developing reflective practice based on the authors' experience of training new teachers and supporting beginning teachers. Through reflective tasks based on the real problems that beginning teachers face you can actively develop your understanding and confidence in this area.

This book is essential reading for trainees and newly qualified teachers as well as those supporting new entrants to the profession.

"Contributors: Linda Devlin, Mary Dunne, Vanessa Dye, Mahmoud Emira, Angela Gault, Fay Glendenning, Gerald Griggs, Paul Gurton, Dot Heslop, Lesley Mycroft, Sarah Powell, Lorraine Thomas, Julia Wilde"

In order to be a successful teacher you will need a clear understanding of the different ways in which children learn. Closely examining the learning process, and demonstrating how different theories support different teaching approaches, this book explores major theories of learning, recent research on the nature of the brain, and how they can be applied in the classroom. Seamlessly balancing theory with the practical implications of different schools of thought, the authors accessibly present challenging ideas including: how you can influence learning and the development of understanding through your teaching; how different perspectives contribute to how we understand learning and the challenges raised by new ideas; applying learning theory to assessment in order to evaluate current practices; rich descriptions of learning in a range of contexts across age ranges using case studies, tasks, reflective questions and commentaries. This is essential reading for students on primary and secondary initial teacher education courses, students on undergraduate Education Studies degrees and for teachers wanting to update their understanding.  

How to teach science engagingly and effectively is high on the education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) agenda. This book describes the thesis which set out to understand how and why teacher's pedagogy influences the nature of pupils learning together. The study examined how social interactions may benefit or impede cognitive development, and thus inform the teaching approach required in a secondary school setting, to support effective pupil learning. Teachers' and pupils' perspectives of learning in groups, to carry out practical tasks, were compared and contrasted. Peers were observed working together on tasks of similar context, but differentiated scaffolded support. Examination of their exchanges and practical resolutions suggested how varied scaffolding influences the social and cognitive processes as well as task outcomes. Experiential reflection, with teachers, through interactive INSET activities illuminated pedagogical approaches that could be used effectively in classrooms, with trios of pupils, to enhance thinking capability and enrich learning outcomes.

In order to be a successful teacher you will need a clear understanding of the different ways in which children learn. Closely examining the learning process, and demonstrating how different theories support different teaching approaches, this book explores major theories of learning, recent research on the nature of the brain, and how they can be applied in the classroom. Seamlessly balancing theory with the practical implications of different schools of thought, the authors accessibly present challenging ideas including: how you can influence learning and the development of understanding through your teaching; how different perspectives contribute to how we understand learning and the challenges raised by new ideas; applying learning theory to assessment in order to evaluate current practices; rich descriptions of learning in a range of contexts across age ranges using case studies, tasks, reflective questions and commentaries. This is essential reading for students on primary and secondary initial teacher education courses, students on undergraduate Education Studies degrees and for teachers wanting to update their understanding.