This edited volume examines aspects of teaching and learning in situations where community or ethnic division may impact negatively on classroom experience and behaviour in tertiary education. The book considers cases from four locations where marked divisions in the wider society exert a continuing influence on the student body: Northern Ireland, England, France and the United States of America. All of these countries share certain underlying principles of governance and freedom as well as historical interconnections, but have within them particular groups characterized by various levels of separation and distrust. The sociohistorical context relevant to each case is outlined, followed by a discussion of the attitudes, opinions and reactions of the learners concerned. The volume concludes with a consideration of pedagogical approaches that may help to bridge difference and foster a more positive atmosphere. Although this study focuses on particular community environments, the techniques highlighted by contributors may be useful in any classroom setting where a heterogeneous mix of individuals has the potential to lead to dissension and conflict.

For Literacy in Early Childhood, Working with Families, Children's Literature courses.

This text blends information on contemporary families, research on early literacy, and practical strategies for sharing children's literature in classrooms, homes, and pre-school settings. Content is based on the belief that adult-child interactions around story-reading play a significant role in fostering and developing children's language and literacy skills. This role manifests itself differently according to the social, cultural, and linguistic environment of a child's home. The authors present a selection of children's books from all genres and an array of field-tested ideas for developing early literacy. Authentic voices of teachers, children, and family members illustrate vivid descriptions of successful teacher-family partnerships and literacy strategies that work.

For affectionate families everywhere comes this engaging reference volume featuring 25 kinds of hugs. From the more traditional to the all-out risky, this collection runs a creatively wide gamut of ways to embrace... and by doing so, brings comfort to the forefront of conversation. Every hug was field-tested by the author and his sons, and titled for practicality and kicks. The Quentin Blake-esque drawings are rendered with graceful accuracy and joy by artist Elizabeth Lilly. The pure physicality of being a child – or being a parent – is documented with wit and style for both to enjoy.