Among the welter of books on critical pedagogy, this volume will be especially valued for its direct focus on early years and elementary educators. Benefiting from the considered views of two veteran teachers of critical pedagogy, the volume is far more than a knowledge-rich resource, offering as it does vital support in applying the tenets of critical pedagogy to classroom practice. Alongside specific examples of teachers engaging in critical pedagogy in elementary and early-childhood classrooms, the material features close analysis and guidance that will help ease teachers into reflective practice in critical pedagogy that is based on praxis the point at which theory and practice meet and interact. Indeed, the authors move readers even further than this, showing how students as well as teachers can transform their experience of education through critical reflection.

After surveying the field of critical pedagogy, the authors discuss the core precepts that inform the classroom practice of critical pedagogues. They move on to discuss how vital these early and elementary years are in forging children s nascent identities. Other topics covered include discrimination, gender issues, the development of social justice projects, and the social transformations that critical pedagogy can manifest in the classroom. Finally, this resource explains how teachers can move forward in their classroom practice to enhance equity, justice and social responsibility. This book is essential reading for classroom practitioners in early and elementary education, whether neophytes or veterans, who are interested in deploying this powerful educational paradigm in their work.

After surveying the field of critical pedagogy, the authors discuss the core precepts that inform the classroom practice of critical pedagogues. They move on to discuss how vital these early and elementary years are in forging children s nascent identities. Other topics covered include discrimination, gender issues, the development of social justice projects, and the social transformations that critical pedagogy can manifest in the classroom. Finally, this resource explains how teachers can move forward in their classroom practice to enhance equity, justice and social responsibility. This book is essential reading for classroom practitioners in early and elementary education, whether neophytes or veterans, who are interested in deploying this powerful educational paradigm in their work.

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Since teacher education looked to become a formal field of study in the 1800s, it has historically contended with competing forces in the effort to solidify its professional identity. Currently, that contention is juxtaposed with those external forces that look to promote fast-track teacher training, with its ultimate goal to dismantle traditional teacher education programs, and those internal forces, whereby teacher education within itself continues to struggle with its own identity, power, and influence. To that end, this book, A Turning Point in Teacher Education: A Time for Resistance, Reflection, and Change, suggests we have reached a climax point, a turning point in teacher education, meaning we must work to resist and denounce those external forces that are laboring to undermine the professionalization of what it means to be a teacher. Simultaneously, we must also deeply reflect and be clear about those internal forces at work when it comes to solidifying the place, power, and necessity of traditional teacher education programs, ultimately announcing the furthering of what should be.

Since teacher education looked to become a formal field of study in the 1800s, it has historically contended with competing forces in the effort to solidify its professional identity. Currently, that contention is juxtaposed with those external forces that look to promote fast-track teacher training, with its ultimate goal to dismantle traditional teacher education programs, and those internal forces, whereby teacher education within itself continues to struggle with its own identity, power, and influence. To that end, this book, A Turning Point in Teacher Education: A Time for Resistance, Reflection, and Change, suggests we have reached a climax point, a turning point in teacher education, meaning we must work to resist and denounce those external forces that are laboring to undermine the professionalization of what it means to be a teacher. Simultaneously, we must also deeply reflect and be clear about those internal forces at work when it comes to solidifying the place, power, and necessity of traditional teacher education programs, ultimately announcing the furthering of what should be.

This book is the only available compilation of women in education and psychology whose work has been marginalized, forgotten, or attributed to their male colleagues. This resource includes women from the progressive era (1900-1950), the psychological period (1950-2000), and the political period (2000-2010). Caucasian and African American scholars from the Northeast, Southern, and Midwestern states are highlighted. Some of the chapters are shorter than others due to the limited literature concerning some of the women. In addition, chapters describing the elimination of gender inequity in early childhood education, the marginalization of women in education under No Child Left Behind as well as discrimination of women in higher education are included. The book concludes with the need to rethink teacher education to include the exceptional contributions of the women who are showcased in this book. Finally, this source is an attempt to eliminate gender inequity in teacher education and educational psychology by restoring the contributions of feminine scholars.

"Current Issues and Trends in Education" synthesizes political, theoretical, social, and practical topics in a 21st Century context and addresses multicultural education, technology, and gender issues. This text is accessible enough to be used in an introductory education class and yet sophisticated enough to serve as a graduate textbook. It is comprehensive in dealing with issues facing educators today, such as demographics, changing perceptions and research in human development and learning, and education in nontraditional settings. NEW to this Edition:

• New chapter (6) on assessment includes discussion of questionable testing practices.
• New chapter (7) reflects current events such as the impact of No Child Left Behind, including Highly Qualified Teachers, PRAXIS and teacher testing ).
• Chapter on developmentally appropriate practice (8)has been updated and expanded to include best practice guidelines for a wider age range of students.
• Discusses the pros and cons of technology as it relates to education, including topics ranging from assistive technology to Internet abuse and iPod mania.
• Addresses teachers', students', and parents' rights and responsibilities, including attitudes and dispositions, effective communication, and active participation versus passive/victim mentality.
• Provides new ways of looking at the organization of schools, including the pros and cons of various issues related to teacher education.
• Covers current theories related to education, including change theory and attribution theory.

Among the welter of books on critical pedagogy, this volume will be especially valued for its direct focus on early years and elementary educators. Benefiting from the considered views of two veteran teachers of critical pedagogy, the volume is far more than a knowledge-rich resource, offering as it does vital support in applying the tenets of critical pedagogy to classroom practice. Alongside specific examples of teachers engaging in critical pedagogy in elementary and early-childhood classrooms, the material features close analysis and guidance that will help ease teachers into reflective practice in critical pedagogy that is based on praxis-the point at which theory and practice meet and interact. Indeed, the authors move readers even further than this, showing how students as well as teachers can transform their experience of education through critical reflection. After surveying the field of critical pedagogy, the authors discuss the core precepts that inform the classroom practice of critical pedagogues. They move on to discuss how vital these early and elementary years are in forging children's nascent identities. Other topics covered include discrimination, gender issues, the development of social justice projects, and the social transformations that critical pedagogy can manifest in the classroom. Finally, this resource explains how teachers can move forward in their classroom practice to enhance equity, justice and social responsibility. This book is essential reading for classroom practitioners in early and elementary education, whether neophytes or veterans, who are interested in deploying this powerful educational paradigm in their work. After surveying the field of critical pedagogy, the authors discuss the core precepts that inform the classroom practice of critical pedagogues. They move on to discuss how vital these early and elementary years are in forging children's nascent identities. Other topics covered include discrimination, gender issues, the development of social justice projects, and the social transformations that critical pedagogy can manifest in the classroom. Finally, this resource explains how teachers can move forward in their classroom practice to enhance equity, justice and social responsibility. This book is essential reading for classroom practitioners in early and elementary education, whether neophytes or veterans, who are interested in deploying this powerful educational paradigm in their work.

While learning to read and write takes time, there are effective ways to tap into what children already know and use that information to jump start the literacy process. One is through environmental print, the print that surrounds children in their natural environments, from billboards to lunch boxes. This handy and engaging book of environmental print (EP) activities brings in research from the National Reading Panel to support the use of EP across the curriculum in early childhood classrooms. Where relevant, the authors indicate how the activities meet the goals of both Early Reading First and Reading First. The research and activities in the book supply teachers with an understanding of the importance of using EP to promote literacy learning, and a jumping off point for effectively using EP right away. This book offers educators: * Foundational (Clay, Goodman) and recent (Vukelich, Schickedanz, Burns, Snow) research to support the use of environmental print in developing children's early literacy. * A wealth of environmental print activities for teaching language arts, math, health, science, social studies, art, music, and dramatic play. * Activities that specify goals/literacy skills, materials, instructions, variations and extensions, assessment practices, as well as related literature and songs to strengthen concepts * Suggestions for showing parents how to use environmental print with their children An environmental print book list and a sample letter to parents