`Tricia David starts the book off with a commitment to the importance of relationships. "The impact of emotional aspects of a school or nursery situation has long been neglected in the UK, as is amply demonstrated by the list of criteria for judging the quality of teaching drawn from OfSTED critieria". Amen to that' - Times Educational Supplement, Friday Magazine `Teaching Young Children is essential reading for early years teacher trainers and anyone working with young children from birth to eight years old. It is an excellent companion volume to one of David's other books, Young Children Learning. David's many contributions to the literature in early years education has focused on the ways in which societies treat and educate young children. Teaching Young Children is an evidence- based book which raises important questions concerning the lives of young children and answers them in terms of the values underlying our society. David and her colleagues at the Centre for International Studies in Early Childhood have written a compelling book. Teaching Young Children is a valuable resource and a "must read" for those who care about the lives of our youngest citizens' - International Journal of Early Years Education Teaching Young Children will help students and experienced practitioners; to reflect on their own practice; observe what is happening in their own and others' settings; consider ways of developing their pedagogy in the light of evidence from research and their own systematic explorations, thus promoting evidence- based practice. Several chapters consider thinking and practice concerning young children' ;learning in a range of curriculum areas : language,; the arts; mathematics; physical education; IT; design and technology; science and geography. Other chapters deal with assessment, the professional development of educators and teachers; inspections, play, special educational needs; and evaluating policy and practice. Written by experienced practitioners from the centre for International Studies in early childhood, Teaching Young Children shows that in the earliest years of childhood, all children should experience the delight which can be part of effective pedagogy - pedagogy which takes account of the child's individuality and development, in the context of changing socio-cultural constructions of childhood.
Written for the busy classroom teacher, this book provides quick access to an abundance of Circle Time activities. Building on the success of the first edition, this new book retains the original edition's clarity and ease-of-access, whilst providing more than twice as much material. It has also been updated to take account of new legislation, including Every Child Matters and The National Standard for Healthy Schools. Clear headers guide the reader to core games and appropriate themes, each with helpful hints for planning and implementation, and to assist the smooth running of the sessions. The theme section demonstrates ways of using core Circle Time activities such as 'Sentence Completion' and 'Silent Statements' to explore sensitive issues such as friendships and bullying. An important new feature is a structure to help readers understand what they should be expecting from pupils during Circle Time at each key stage. New and expanded sections on group work and the development of Circle Time are also included. This is a valuable resource for teachers, educational psychologists and youth workers, whether they are experienced Circle Time practitioners or new to the technique.
Ofsted continues to identify weaknesses in this subject, while many primary, non-specialist trainees lack confidence in the area. Linked to the new (2007) Standards for QTS and the DATA Tier 1 competencies, this book is for trainees who have had less than 20 hours training in design and technology but are required to teach the subject during school placements and once qualified. This clear, jargon-free text explains the key concepts and curriculum requirements, without assuming prior expertise or advanced levels of understanding, making this book a sound basic introduction.
Resources for Early Learning explores the use of materials for learning within a social context. Pat Gura explores the possibilities of different kinds of 'stuff' (blocks, beads, climbing frames, dolls and found materials) as tools of all-round development in early childhood. Resources for Early Learning is an original edition, previously published by Hodder & Stoughton. presents a range of strategies to help early years practitioners evaluate their provision as they strive to create environments for early learning which are culturally, developmentally and personally appropriate; takes a critical look at the conventional assumptions early years practitioners make about sand, water, paint, and the home area; encourages practitioners to reflect on their practice.
'Chris James, Michael Connolly, Gerald Dunning and Tony Elliott have produced a comprehensive analysis of the very effective primary school. Although the research for the book draws on the authors' experiences in Welsh Primary Schools, the range of literature cited and the analytical frameworks employed ensure that their findings have a much broader relevance. They define 'a very effective' school as one that provides high levels of attainment and rich educational experiences despite being located in extremely challenging circumstances. A key insight of the book is that although these schools are consequently 'extraordinary' their practice was in many ways quite 'ordinary'. This is because these schools worked in much the same way as the very best of schools have always done. In many ways, this as the authors note, is an optimistic message - that all children deserve to be educated in such very effective schools. The virtue of How Very Effective Primary Schools Work is that it makes clear those characteristics and strategies that can help every school to become great' - David Hopkins, HSBC iNet Chair of International Leadership, and formerly Chief Adviser on School Standards to the Secretary of State 2002-2005 'All children, especially the poorest, deserve capable, mature and well adjusted teachers and leaders who work together to lay firm foundations of learning and behaviour, then enrich and elevate everyone's learning far beyond that in optimistic cultures of security, persistence and hope. Based on solid research from 18 outstanding schools in challenging circumstances, this is the vital message of this important and unique book. Chris James and his colleagues show that highly effective schools need high functioning adults and communities who expect and get the best from everyone, dedicate themselves to others without burning themselves out, are not frightened of challenges and contradictions, stay around to fulfil their obligations to others and see their efforts bear fruit, and are emotionally comfortable in their own skin. If you want to become more effective as a school you will need to become more effective and adjusted as a teacher, a leader and an all-round human being. This inspiring and indispensable book, will stir and steer all who read it in that educationally essential quest' - Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education, Boston College All good teachers and headteachers are concerned with improving pupil attainment. In high attainment schools, they must recognize how to sustain success. In schools with low attainment levels, they must come to understand the challenges they face and find ways of overcoming the difficulties. This practical, research-based book describes the key approaches used by very effective schools. The authors explain how success can be achieved and maintained and describe ways of working that bring about high levels of pupil attainment. They also explain why these ways of working are successful. This book is essential reading for headteachers, teachers, students of educational leadership and management, school governors, and those who work in local authorities.
'Chris James, Michael Connolly, Gerald Dunning and Tony Elliott have produced a comprehensive analysis of the very effective primary school. Although the research for the book draws on the authors' experiences in Welsh Primary Schools, the range of literature cited and the analytical frameworks employed ensure that their findings have a much broader relevance. They define 'a very effective' school as one that provides high levels of attainment and rich educational experiences despite being located in extremely challenging circumstances. A key insight of the book is that although these schools are consequently 'extraordinary' their practice was in many ways quite 'ordinary'. This is because these schools worked in much the same way as the very best of schools have always done. In many ways, this as the authors note, is an optimistic message - that all children deserve to be educated in such very effective schools. The virtue of How Very Effective Primary Schools Work is that it makes clear those characteristics and strategies that can help every school to become great' - David Hopkins, HSBC iNet Chair of International Leadership, and formerly Chief Adviser on School Standards to the Secretary of State 2002-2005 'All children, especially the poorest, deserve capable, mature and well adjusted teachers and leaders who work together to lay firm foundations of learning and behaviour, then enrich and elevate everyone's learning far beyond that in optimistic cultures of security, persistence and hope. Based on solid research from 18 outstanding schools in challenging circumstances, this is the vital message of this important and unique book. Chris James and his colleagues show that highly effective schools need high functioning adults and communities who expect and get the best from everyone, dedicate themselves to others without burning themselves out, are not frightened of challenges and contradictions, stay around to fulfil their obligations to others and see their efforts bear fruit, and are emotionally comfortable in their own skin. If you want to become more effective as a school you will need to become more effective and adjusted as a teacher, a leader and an all-round human being. This inspiring and indispensable book, will stir and steer all who read it in that educationally essential quest' - Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education, Boston College All good teachers and headteachers are concerned with improving pupil attainment. In high attainment schools, they must recognize how to sustain success. In schools with low attainment levels, they must come to understand the challenges they face and find ways of overcoming the difficulties. This practical, research-based book describes the key approaches used by very effective schools. The authors explain how success can be achieved and maintained and describe ways of working that bring about high levels of pupil attainment. They also explain why these ways of working are successful. This book is essential reading for headteachers, teachers, students of educational leadership and management, school governors, and those who work in local authorities.
The Development of Literacy in the Early Years of School
`The aim of this book is admirable. Despite the preponderance of texts on the development and teaching of literacy, a book which is driven by psychological theory but succeeds in combining this theory with suggestions for classroom practice is long awaited' - Child Language Teaching and Therapy The Teaching of Reading combines theoretical and practical aspects of literacy, and is intended to be informative and practical in its classroom application. The author shows that informed practice can only develop from a genuine understanding of the literacy process, and the book charts the way in which the young child progresses from the first glimmerings of the purpose and recognition of print, through to a state of fully developed fluent reading.
An Assembly Performance with Follow-up Activities for Citizenship, PSHE and Literacy
Includes CD-Rom `A highly practical resource' - Times Educational Supplement `This approach could be very usefully employed to tackle the very complex and difficult issue of bullying' - Educational Psychology in Practice `The how, when, where and what of preparing for a performance is spelled out in considerable detail. If you do accept the challenge at the core of the book you will certainly not want for help' - Junior Education This is the first in a series of creative and practical resources to link the school assembly with the Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education (PSCHE) curriculum and the national literacy objectives for children aged five to 11. Using the theme of bullying, this scheme of work starts with a lively and dramatic student performance by older pupils in the primary school, including every member of the class. Full scripts, music and dance scores are provided. The bullying scenes involve the audience by focusing on the role of the bystanders. Comprehensive teacher notes, activities and resources are also included for follow-up work with each year group. This comprehensive pack, produced by two experienced teachers, is useful for anyone running an anti-bullying initiative in their primary school. Bridget Smith has worked for many years as a specialist in deafness within the health service, as part of a Cambridge University research group, and in the voluntary sector. She has taught as a general practitioner in primary and middle schools with specific responsibilities for music and IT. As well as having tutored children who are excluded from school she is regularly involved in coaching music and sport and in the development of local facilities for youth. Kate Baker has created and developed effective assemblies with children over many years, as class teacher, literacy and drama co-ordinator and Deputy Head. She has also devised and directed productions in schools, at children's drama and music courses and for the theatre. Kate still teaches in primary and middle schools and is currently developing more ideas and materials to enrich the curriculum for Key Stages 1 to 3.
Developed with the support of the Kent Healthy Schools Programme to encourage primary schools to promote healthy eating, this resource takes a whole-school, holistic approach towards children's eating and relates to the PSHE Curriculum and the Healthy Schools Programme. There is a good blend of easily accessible information on healthy eating supported by individual case studies. The three sections cover: " a summary of the range of children's eating issues " strategies for promoting healthy eating and preventing, recognising and dealing with eating problems " examples of lesson plans related to the physical, emotional and social aspects of children's eating. Dr Sally Robinson is principal lecturer in the Department of Health and Social Welfare Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University.
