Teaching As A Reflective Practice


Book Description

This volume presents a mix of translations of classical and modern papers from the German Didaktik tradition, newly prepared essays by German scholars and practitioners writing from within the tradition, and interpretive essays by U.S. scholars. It brings this tradition, which virtually dominated German curricular thought and teacher education until the 1960s when American curriculum theory entered Germany--and which is now experiencing a renaissance--to the English-speaking world, where it has been essentially unknown. The intent is to capture in one volume the core (at least) of the tradition of Didaktik and to communicate its potential relevance to English-language curricularists and teacher educators. It introduces a theoretical tradition which, although very different in almost every respect from those we know, offers a set of approaches that suggest ways of thinking about problems of reflection on curricular and teaching praxis (the core focus of the tradition) which the editors believe are accessible to North American readers--with appropriate "translation." These ways of thinking and related praxis are very relevant to notions such as reflective teaching and the discourse on teachers as professionals. By raising the possibility that the "new" tradition of Didaktik can be highly suggestive for thinking through issues related to a number of central ideas within contemporary discourse--and for exploring the implications of these ideas for both teacher education and for a curriculum theory appropriate to these new contexts for theorizing, this book opens up a gold mine of theoretical and practical possibilities.




Cultural Studies in Foreign Language Education


Book Description

Written by the winner of the 1987 BAAL book prize, this book deals with the acquisition of understanding of foreign cultures and peoples. It is also a study of the philosophy and purpose of language teaching in all its facets, in the context of foreign language teaching in secondary education. The book is written for language teachers and, though it draws on disciplines not usually included in their education and professional training, it does so from within the profession's own perspective. It is an attempt to raise teachers' and learners' awareness of the full educational value of foreign language learning




The Light in Their Eyes


Book Description

In this 10th Anniversary Edition of her popular text, Sonia Nieto reviews where we have been and where we should be going in our pursuit of creating multicultural learning communities in our schools. With a new Introductory Chapter and a new Epilogue, Nieto addresses some of the changes we have experienced during the past decade that help explain the current sociopolitical environment—our increasing diversity, the altering conditions in schools and in society, the influence of poverty on learning, and the impact of NCLB on classrooms and schools. This updated edition of The Light in Their Eyes: Focuses on the significant role of teachers in transforming students’ lives. Considers recent theories, policies, and practices about the variability in student learning and culturally responsive pedagogy. Examines the importance of student and teacher voice in research and practice. Provides an update, in their own words, on former students whose journal entries were included in the first edition. “In search of a critical community, Sonia Nieto combines respect for what children bring to school with a desire to awaken each one and tap into their passion for learning. This classic work radiates with the sensitivity Sonia Nieto is known for in all her work.” —Maxine Greene, Professor Emerita, Teachers College, Columbia University Praise for the First Edition! "A spirited, provocative defense of multicultural education." —Choice "In this important and thought-provoking book, Sonia Nieto reaffirms her reputation as one of the leading theorists in multicultural education." —Rethinking Schools "Perhaps once every 5 years, one is fortunate enough to read a scholarly book that is as hard to put down as a good novel, yet is brimming with profound insights on virtually every page. Nieto has written such a book." —TESOL Quarterly "Offers a comprehensive and convincing argument for multicultural education." —Harvard Education Review "For educators in a multicultural program, and for veteran and novice teachers, Nieto’s book would be invaluable." —Childhood Education Sonia Nieto is Professor Emerita at theUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is the author of the bestselling books Why We Teach and What Keeps Teachers Going?




On Royalty


Book Description

The notable characteristic of the royal families of Europe is that they have so very little of anything remotely resembling true power. Increasingly, they tend towards the condition of pipsqueak principalities like Liechtenstein and Monaco -- fancy-dress fodder for magazines that survive by telling us things we did not need to know about people we have hardly heard of. How then have kings and queens come to exercise the mesmeric hold they have upon our imaginations? In On Royalty renowned BBC journalist Jeremy Paxman examines the role of the British monarchy in an age when divine right no longer prevails and governing powers fall to the country's elected leaders. With intelligence and humor, he scrutinizes every aspect of the monarchy and how it has related to politics, religion, the military and the law. He takes us inside Buckingham Palace and illuminates the lives of the monarchs, at once mundane, absurd and magical. What Desmond Morris did for apes, Paxman has done for these primus inter primates: the royal families. Gilded history, weird anthropology and surreal reportage of the royals up close combine in On Royalty, a brilliant investigation into how an ancient institution struggles for meaning in a modern country.




The New Science of Swimming


Book Description

Basic book and reference on the science of swimming by the "father" of modern competitive swimming.




A Buffalo in the House


Book Description

From a #1 New York Times–bestselling author, “a heartwarming tale of bonding between people and animals” (Booklist). A sprawling suburban house in Santa Fe is not the kind of home where a buffalo normally roams, but Veryl Goodnight and Roger Brooks are not your ordinary animal lovers. Over a hundred years after Veryl’s ancestors, Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, hand-raised two baby buffalo to help save the species from extinction, the sculptor and her husband adopt an orphaned buffalo calf of their own. Against a backdrop of the American West, A Buffalo in the House tells the story of a household situation beyond any sitcom writer’s wildest dreams. Charlie has no idea he’s a buffalo and Roger has no idea just how strong the bond between man and buffalo can be. In the historical shadow of the near-extermination of a majestic and misunderstood animal, Roger sets out to save just one buffalo—in a true story featuring “one of the most memorable characters in recent nature writing” (Publishers Weekly). “More than a touching man-beast buddy tale . . . lovingly chronicles the history of an embattled species and its importance in the American West.” —Entertainment Weekly “Moving proof of the restorative powers of man’s relationship with nature.” —People










Perspectives 3


Book Description




Intercultural Competence


Book Description

This text explores the idea of 'intercultural competence', which, despite its current popularity across various discourses, has remained a vague and oscillating concept. The essays in this volume approach the complexity of the concept from a number of different angles.