Observing Primary Literacy


Book Description

Observing children is a fundamental aspect of learning to teach and a vital component of primary English teaching. Observing Primary Literacy focuses on observing children and teachers in the primary classroom. Its purpose is to enable trainee teachers to make sense of what they observe in classrooms. This book aims to help make explicit the reasons for the professional decisions teachers make before and during lessons, as well as encouraging critical and reflective thought on key aspects of primary English. Using a detailed examination of real-life case studies, Margaret Perkins provides a framework for understanding the literacy learning processes of primary-age children and how this can inform good teaching practice. She demonstrates to readers how to re-focus on children's learning and develop a critically informed approach to literacy in the modern primary classroom. This is essential reading for all students studying primary English on primary initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching. It is also useful for practising teachers who wish to develop their understanding and practice of literacy teaching. Dr Margaret Perkins is Senior Lecturer at the University of Reading.




Observing Primary Literacy


Book Description

Making sense of what a teacher observes in the classroom is vital to their development as a new teacher and a fundamental aspect of high-quality literacy teaching. By providing real-life case studies that analyse what underpins interactions between teachers and children, this book will help them understand literary learning processes and develop their own practice. Key features of this second edition include: A new chapter on teaching grammar, spelling and punctuation Links to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland Expanded discussion on teaching phonics Clear guidance on how to undertake assessment without levels.




Reading in the Classroom


Book Description

"Each chapter examines the development of one system or method, describes its field testing, includes solid research on reliability and validity, weighs its strengths and limitations, and (in some cases) includes the actual tool discussed. A careful compilation of critical information, this book will help educational stakeholders choose the most effective systems and methods for assessing literacy outcomes, identifying methods that work, and highlighting directions for change."--BOOK JACKET.




Teaching Primary English


Book Description

Now in its second edition, Teaching Primary English is a bestselling, comprehensive, evidence-informed guide designed to support and inspire teaching and learning in the primary school. Written in a clear and accessible way, it draws on the very latest research and theory to describe and exemplify a full and rich English curriculum. It offers those on teacher training courses, as well as qualified teachers who are looking to develop their practice, invaluable subject knowledge and guidance for effective, enjoyable classroom practice. Throughout there is an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Advice and ideas are supported by explicit examples of good teaching linked to video clips filmed in real schools, reflective activities, observational tasks and online resources. Each chapter includes suggestions for great children’s literature, considers assessment throughout and offers support in planning for inclusion and special educational needs. New and expanded areas for this edition include: Multimodal texts Increased coverage of Early Years Dialogic learning and oracy Comprehensive companion website with revised and additional resources A new section on digital literacies Reading for pleasure Teaching grammar in context Critical literacy With a focus on connecting all modes of English, the global and the local, and home and school experience, this detailed, uplifting book, includes inspiring case studies throughout and will support you in developing a curious, critical approach to teaching and learning English. Additional content can be found on the fantastic supporting website. Features include: Video clips from within the classroom to demonstrate English teaching techniques Audio resources, including an interactive quiz, to check understanding and provide real-life examples and case studies Downloadable resources to support teaching and incorporate into lesson plans.




Primary English: Knowledge and Understanding


Book Description

Now with online resources to support subject knowledge! Secure subject knowledge and understanding is the foundation of confident, creative and effective teaching. To help your students master this, the 8th edition of this established text now comes with a range of online resources available on the brand new companion website including: Interactive English subject knowledge audit: to assess your students subject knowledge in primary English. Save valuable teaching time at the start of the year by setting is as a pre-course audit and ensure students have an accurate picture of their ability before they begin. Grading your students′ overall performance, results can be shared with you immediately and include further reading suggestions so students can revisit areas where they require improvement. Reflective self-assessment questions: more than 70 ‘check your learning’ questions help consolidate students’ understanding of each chapter topic and monitor their learning as they work through the book. Irregular verbs: a handy reference of all the irregular verbs so trainees can teach English confidently. Glossary: building students′ knowledge, the full online glossary of terms for English helps them know their ‘digraph’ from your ‘soliloquy’. This 8th edition, covering the whole primary curriculum, also includes new chapters on handwriting and the nature of learning. Updated interactive activities throughout the book engage students in their learning and enable discussion. Using this book in conjunction with the free online resources really makes this the complete package for developing English subject knowledge.




Developing Literacy in the Primary Classroom


Book Description

Primary literacy involves many different learning processes, which can make it challenging to teach, particularly in diverse classroom environments. Combining an examination of theory and research with practical case studies and real examples of teaching practice, this book shows trainee and early career teachers how to engage and motivate children to develop a range of primary English skills. Chapters incorporate broader aspects of primary teaching such as active learning, self-regulation and assessment, and activities and discussion points explore how to apply important principles to your own teaching. Drawing from international research and aware of policy developments in different countries, the book covers key topics on primary teacher education courses, including: The foundations of reading, writing and oracy skills Planning, assessment and classroom organisation Using new technologies and social media as tools for learning Engaging with the literacy needs of diverse learners. This is essential reading for students on university-based and school-based courses preparing to teach in primary education, and early career teachers seeking to continue their professional learning. Dr Gary Woolley is senior lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.




Literacy and Education


Book Description

Six years since the First Edition of Literacy and Education, the ways we think about literacy have changed. The book continues to be an accessible guide to current theory on literacy with practical applications in the classroom, but has a new focus on the ecologies of literacy, and on participatory and visual ways of researching literacy.




Kidwatching


Book Description

This smart, practical guidebook shows preschool, kindergarten, and primary teachers how to refine their literacy evaluation practices through careful kidwatching. By observing and recording children's literacy development, teachers also develop new understandings of the ways children think and learn. Ultimately, through kidwatching, teachers plan curriculum and instruction that are tailored to individual strengths and needs. Gretchen Owocki and Yetta Goodman are the perfect pair to guide teachers through the kidwatching process. Yetta coined the term in her seminal article in 1978 and has spearheaded the use of miscue analysis as a window into the reading process. Gretchen, Yetta's former graduate student, is an outstanding educator and published author on the ways young children develop literacy. Together, they have written a book that will serve as a professional development tool as well as a kidwatching handbook. In each chapter, they provide a clear description of how kidwatching enhances teaching and learning specific guidelines and suggestions for kidwatching practical tools and resources to be used in documentation and analysis empowerment for children--a chance to evaluate and revalue themselves by partnering with teachers to document and reflect on their knowledge. Kidwatching provides a framework for engaging in systematic, yet very personalized, data collection in all areas of literacy. High-quality kidwatching gives teachers the information they need to teach effectively and to share detailed, factual information with families and administrators. Kidwatching can also be used to strengthen school reform, to develop a common set of principles and practices that are in tune with local needs and interests. Learn to watch kids and see how effective you can be on these fronts.




The Secret of Literacy


Book Description

Literacy? That's someone else's job, isn't it? This is a book for all teachers on how to make explicit to students those things we can do implicitly. In the Teachers' Standards it states that all teachers must demonstrate an understanding of, and take responsibility for, promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy, and the correct use of standard English, whatever the teacher's specialist subject. In The Secret of Literacy, David Didau inspires teachers to embrace the challenge of improving students' life chances through improving their literacy.




Leverage Leadership


Book Description

Paul Bambrick-Santoyo (Managing Director of Uncommon Schools) shows leaders how they can raise their schools to greatness by following a core set of principles. These seven principles, or "levers," allow for consistent, transformational, and replicable growth. With intentional focus on these areas, leaders will leverage much more learning from the same amount of time investment. Fundamentally, each of these seven levers answers the core questions of school leadership: What should an effective leader do, and how and when should they do it. Aimed at all levels of school leadership, the book is for any principal, superintendent, or educator who wants to be a transformational leader. The book includes 30 video clips of top-tier leaders in action. These videos bring great schools to you, and support a deeper understanding of both the components of success and how it looks as a whole. There are also many helpful rubrics, extensive professional development tools, calendars, and templates. Explores the core principles of effective leadership Author's charter school, North Star Academy in Newark, New Jersey, received the highest possible award given by the U.S. Department of Education; the National Blue Ribbon Print version includes an instructive DVD with 30 video clips to show how it looks in real life. E-book customers: please note that details on how to access the content from the DVD may be found in the e-book Table of Contents. Please see the section: "How to Access DVD Contents" Bambrick-Santoyo has trained more than 1,800 school leaders nationwide in his work at Uncommon Schools and is a recognized expert on transforming schools to achieve extraordinary results.