In recent years primary education has been the subject of continuing debate with questions of standards and their apparent decline being raised with alarming regularity. Central in informing these debates has been the ORACLE study of groupwork in primary classrooms. Published during the 1980s, the study described in detail the daily life of the primary classroom, the teaching styles used by teachers and the responses of pupils. That research has now been replicated - with over two thirds of the schools originally studied being revisited, using the same tests and observation instruments. This book presents the findings of this second round of research, and is therefore unique in being able authoritatively to document the changes - or lack of them - in primary education and teaching practice over the last twenty years.
Current trends in education suggest that pupils should have more responsibility for their own learning, but how can they if they don’t understand the what, the why and the how? This practical guide explores the idea that a metacognitive approach enables pupils to develop skills for lifelong learning. If pupils can identify the what, the why, and the how of their learning, they can begin to formulate strategies for overcoming challenges and for continuous improvement. In this book, the authors truly engage with research into the link between metacognition and learning, and the idea that if you can effectively articulate your thoughts and strategies regarding how you learn, you might then be in a better position to take actions in order to improve and to be able to learn best. An appendix of useful resources is also included, which offers a range of activities surrounding the language of learning, reflection and metacognition, as well essential advice on how to develop metacognition in the early years (4-8), middle years (8-10), and upper years (10-13). Metacognition in the Primary Classroom demonstrates how important it is for children to be well-enough informed to play an active role in learning better. Having the language skills to talk about your learning, and the opportunity to share ideas and strategies with others, enables all concerned to explore and develop approaches in order to learn better. This book is a crucial read for anyone interested in ensuring that pupils take an active role in their own learning.
Assessing the effects of New Labour's education policies on primary schools, this book discusses the impact of policies on primary school practices, as well as looking at the views and experiences of primary school teachers and pupils.
* What is 'interactive teaching' in primary classrooms? * What do primary teachers and children do to interact effectively? * Are there benefits in such interactions to both teaching and learning? A research partnership of tutors and teachers strives towards answers to these key questions. This book is the story of this intriguing and exciting research project. The authors examine the practical and theoretical aspects that are key to understanding and undertaking interactive teaching in primary classrooms. The project is unique in using its own interactive processes, 'Reflective Dialogues', to help teachers make sense of their own teaching. This process includes capturing and analysing classroom sessions on video; and cameos of these classroom interactions are discussed throughout the book. The research context is the Literacy Hour in Key Stages 1 and 2. This new title is key reading for academics, researchers, teacher educators, policymakers and primary school teachers.
Essential reading to support principled assessment decisions in the classroom Assessment has become an increasingly complex area for primary schools in recent years, with schools and academy trusts trying to create their own ways of assessing without levels. Trainee teachers find it hard to understand key principles in assessment when practice in each of their school experiences is so varied. This ′essentials′ text supports trainee and beginning teachers to understand the current context and consider essential principles for good practice in primary assessment. The book: - features explanations of key terminology - includes practical examples from classrooms and schools - supports teacher assessment literacy - explores the assessment system as a whole - covers formative and summative assessment, pupil progress, data and moderation.
Based on the authors' analysis of what it is about teacher talk that works and doesn't work, this book will provide teachers and student teachers with a guide to using talk effectively in the classroom to raise standards.
Providing a framework for understanding the individual needs of pupils, this book describes how you can tailor your teaching methods to maximise learning. You will learn how to take account of your pupils′ knowledge, skills and attitudes when selecting and applying principles of instruction, in order to make learning in your classroom as successful as possible. Packed with informative case studies and classroom examples, this book explores how learning is conceptualised, direct instruction, interactive teaching, teaching as scaffolding, and how to overcome obstacles to learning. This is a must-read for all practitioners and students of primary education who wish to understand how to best apply theories of instruction, and provide effective, dynamic teaching.
How is a compelling, exemplary curriculum created in schools in spite of the pressures to implement a standardized one? In this book, teachers and principals share their experiences with emergent curriculum, and with the creative practices they’ve developed in urban classrooms kindergarten to 3rd grade. We learn what they were trying to do, how they began the process, the challenges they faced, the decisions they made, and what happened to the children. All chapters are written by teachers who have found ways of interpreting the Reggio approach to enrich their teaching within the confines of traditional schools. This book is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand emergent curriculum and for all who hope to nurture an enlivening, energizing way to learn in classrooms. The inspiring stories presented here illustrate: Ways that early childhood values and practices have been sustained and promoted in elementary schools. Exemplary teaching practice, where children want to learn and teachers want to teach. How the influence of the Reggio Emilia approach is reaching into urban public school environments with diverse populations. Democratic participatory teaching that offers visions of responsible citizenship for children. “This book is a treasure trove of useful frameworks, wonderful teacher stories, and memorable insights. It demonstrates the remarkable potential of children and teachers, and it clarifies how North American elementary school educators can take hold of ideas from Reggio Emilia and integrate them with their own ideals and standards.” —Carolyn Pope Edwards, University of Nebraska–Lincoln “Carol Anne Wien demonstrates again that she can illustrate complex ideas—this time the theories underlying the Reggio Emilia approach—in innovative ways for a broad audience.” —Celia Genishi, Teachers College, Columbia University “A must read for educators seeking an antidote to prescriptive curricular practice that respects neither children nor teachers.” —Curt Dudley-Marling, Lynch School of Education, Boston College “This book provides long overdue and compelling pathways for extending Reggio Emilia principles into the primary grades. It will encourage readers to feel their way into the spirit and substance of emergent curricula and come away rejuvenated.” —Daniel Scheinfeld, Erikson Institute, Chicago, Illinois
