Book reviews - Sage Publications

STEM in the Primary Curriculum (Exploring the Primary Curriculum)​ edited by Helen Caldwell and Sue Pope

How can teachers harness the power of STEM education and learning in the primary curriculum? This book gives practical STEM ideas for the classroom and supports teachers to make the most of opportunities for rich STEM experiences across the primary curriculum. This book: Explores the nature of STEM education and why it matters Highlights the opportunities for STEM learning across the curriculum Supports teachers to design and innovate engaging STEM learning experiences Includes a chapter on STEM in the early years.

Teaching and Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Primary Schools (Achieving QTS Series) by various

This book begins by exploring what is meant by SEND in primary schools and goes on to cover everything trainees and teachers need to know about their statutory responsibilities in school. It then examines the range of needs they will encounter in primary schools with plenty of practical advice along the way. This third edition has been fully restructured and updated to include a new section on the key theories and theorists relating to SEND. Also new to this edition is a chapter focusing on the role of the SENCO in primary school. Finally, the book includes more practical support with coverage of current legislation and the Code of Conduct as well as checklists and information about useful resources and outside agencies.

Exploring Children's Literature: Reading for Knowledge, Understanding and Pleasure​ by Nikki Gamble

Having a good working knowledge of children's literature is vital for primary teachers; the best way to develop switched-on young readers is to ensure they get access to high-quality age-appropriate material that engages and inspires them. This book explores the rich and varied world of children's literature and how it can be used in teaching to promote reading for pleasure and create lifelong readers. This new edition has been completely updated to include: - 5 brand new chapters covering Knowledge & skills, Classics, Illustrated fiction & graphic novels, Non-fiction, and Humour - New expert voice features providing commentaries from educators, literary experts and authors such as Lucy Worsley - Up to date book lists featuring recent and more diverse literature and authors - New practical activities and case studies show casing children's books and how to use them in the classroom - Further reading links to take students further.

Modelling Exciting Writing: A guide for primary teaching​ by Adam Bushnell, Rob Smith and David Waugh

Encouraging children to write fluently can be quite a challenge, especially if children feel constrained by the requirements to get the spelling, grammar and punctuation correct - essential though these are, they can inhibit free expression. The National Curriculum sets challenging expectations for the teaching of writing - composition, redrafting, editing and writing final pieces are all important. As with so many things in life, children learn best by example, so teachers need to be able to model good writing skills. The authors spend their time modelling writing for other teachers and that practical experience shines through in this book, which is full of inspiring ideas. The ideas are easy to use and cover a wide range of different writing genres, including poetry, fanfiction and film. The activities are well defined and offer excellent ideas, along with case studies to show the concepts in practice. A valuable book for both new and experienced teachers.

Counselling Children: A Practical Introduction​ by Kathryn Geldard, David Geldard and Rebecca Yin Foo

The fact that this is now the 5th edition of this definitive guide to the skills and techniques used when working with children experiencing emotional problems is testament to the value of the book. Ideas and expectations change rapidly, as does the social scene, so it's good to know that the most up-to-date thinking is reflected here. New material includes technology and its role in children's lives; diversity issues are explained; differing scenarios for counselling are outlined; the current emphasis on well-being is reflected in the book. It's a practical and well set-out guide which includes The goals for counselling children and the child-counsellor relationship; practice frameworks for working effectively with children; play therapy and the use of different media and activities; and building self-esteem and social skills through the use of worksheets, a range of which are included in the book. Usefully, the book is supported by a new companion website that provides training materials and handouts on a range of skills for counselling children including: helping the child to tell their story sand tray work, the use of miniature animals, the use of clay, and helping the child to change thoughts and behaviour. This is excellent and really ups the value of the book, making it fully relevant to today's needs. Clearly set out chapters with consistency of approach make the book easy to use despite the wealth and depth of information. It's a comprehensive book with an excellent number of references for those who want to go even deeper into the subject. A very valuable and practical guide for specialist and non-specialist - counsellors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses and teachers.

Understanding Teaching and Learning in Primary Education edited by Mike Carroll and Margaret McCulloch

This is the second edition of a practical and comprehensive book that is valuable reading for all aspiring teachers, whatever route their training takes (school, university or employment based). Based on practical experience, this textbook gives teachers of the future guidance and insights into the knowledge, values and commitments necessary to succeed in the primary classroom; insights that it can otherwise take much practical experience to accumulate. The guidance is supported by links to theory and research literature, to encourage further research. The realistic scenarios which are a feature of the book will be welcomed by those setting out on a classroom career, giving a good idea of expectations; the View from Practice examples are valuable. This second edition reflects the changing educational scene and includes a new chapter on inclusive education; expanded coverage of digital learning, engaging with educational research and the role of the primary teacher. There are very useful cross-referenced links to the Teachers’ Standards in England and the GTCS Professional Standards in Scotland and to where they are covered within the book. An insightful and comprehensive book, ideal for on-going reference.

The Truth about Teaching: An evidence-informed guide for new teachers by Greg Ashman

New and aspiring teachers will find this book gives valuable insights. The author's extensive background in teaching means he writes from an informed and empathetic viewpoint, giving his readers confidence. An understanding of educational research is demonstrated, along with the most vital ideas necessary to succeed in teaching. Readers will learn how to avoid common mistakes and to challenge some of the commonly held and expressed views about what good teaching really is. Evidence-informed, the book explores major issues you will encounter in schools, including the science of learning, classroom management, explicit forms of teaching, why the use of phonics has been such a controversial issue and smart ways to evaluate the potential of technology in the classroom; the arguments given will help new teachers to form their own views and arguments, giving confidence. If you are training to teach in primary or secondary education, or in the early stages of your teacher career, this book is for you. It's a practical book, firmly rooted in actual classroom experience with real children - it's just what teachers will encounter and therefore reassuring and positive to use and apply.

Early Years Teaching and Learning by Denise Reardon, Dilys Wilson, Dympna Fox Reed and others

The book was previously titled Achieving Early Years Professional Status, and this is a revised third edition. This is an invaluable book for students, covering as it does all routes to early years teaching and providing students with all they need to know to achieve their Early Years qualification (Early Years Teacher Status, Teach First Early Years, Early Years Educator and Early Years PGCE). It is also valuable for current Early Years practitioners, ensuring they are up to date with latest thinking and practices. Specific expertise is brought to the book through the wide range of suitably qualified contributors. The retrospective look at Early Years education at the start of the book is good for setting the scene and understanding the way it has developed. Safeguarding is, of course, a key issue and a practical chapter takes a thorough look at the subject. The case studies illustrating best practice give useful background and show the principles put into practice. Points for Reflection are found through the book and provide ideas for stimulating thoughts and discussion. There is a huge amount of information in the book which is made easy to use and assimilate by these ways iof presenting material, along with Key Points and Ideas for Practice. Online resources are available to ensure material is up to date. A very relevant and practical book for all concerned with Early Years provision.

Databusting for Schools: How to Use and Interpret Education Data by Richard Selfridge

The use and interpretation of data is increasingly becoming vital in understanding and publicising school results. Whatever our feelings about it might be, all teachers, not just senior leaders, need to get a firm grasp on the subject and this book will help in that. The author is an education data blogger and teacher and he unravels the complexities of dealing with educational data and explains statistics in an understandable everyday way. Topics covered include - Where does education data come from; The what, why and how of numbers; Understanding different types of graphs and how to use them; How to play around with data to see the bigger picture; How to interpret data, does one thing really lead to another? and Using data to inform school policy. There is a lot of emphasis on practical issues, helping the reader to see how data can be applied - and where things can go wrong. It could be a dry read, but the author makes the subject interesting and relevant. This is a must-read for all teachers, school leaders, data managers and school governors - governors have a responsibility to understand their schools' data and they will find this readable and accessible, helping them in their essential role of supporting their schools.

Understanding and Teaching Primary Geography (Achieving QTS) by Simon Catling and Tessa Willy

This is a sizeable tome that will make an excellent staffroom resource so all teachers can follow the guidance set out by the book. Sadly, geography is a subject that can be sidelined but it is important for children as geography shapes the world around us and is an essential part of everyday life - it's also an absorbing subject which children enjoy for its relevance to themselves. This book emphasises and facilitates good teaching of primary geography to extend children's world awareness and help them make connections between their own environmental and geographical experiences; the case studies are especially helpful for this. A comprehensive book, it covers all the key topics in primary geography including: understanding places, physical and human geography, environmental sustainability, learning outside the classroom, global issues citizenship and social justice. Summaries, classroom examples and practical and reflective tasks are included throughout to foster understanding and support the effective teaching of primary geography. My only concern is that I would find it hard to see what pupils should be learning when - more guidance on this would be useful. A strong point of the book comes with the excellent number of references to support further investigation.

Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development by Gilie Boulton with Russell Delderfield

Reflective practice is an essential part of effective teaching which means looking at what teachers do in the classroom, thinking about why they do it, and deciding if it was effective. It improves self-awareness, effectiveness and professional development and the significance of this book is shown by the fact this is the fifth edition, exploring reflective writing as a creative and dynamic process for this critical enquiry. New to this edition are an expanded range of exercises and activities; a new emphasis on using e-portfolios; further guidance on reflective writing assignments; enhanced discussion of reflection as a key employability skill and additional online resources. It's a book which is easy to dip into and take from it what you will This popular book has been used worldwide in various disciplines including education, social work, business and management, medicine and healthcare and is essential reading for students and professionals seeking to enhance their reflective writing skills and to examine their own practice in greater critical depth. It covers all the essential issues as well as including plenty of references to enhance the information.

The Ingredients for Great Teaching by Pedro de Bruyckere

A recipe book for teaching - what a great idea! Sadly, that's not possible because every teacher, subject and classroom is different so no one model fits all - but here we have an interesting close approach. Teaching would be easy if there were clear recipes you could follow every time. Instead of recipes, this book examines the basic ingredients of teaching and learning so you can use them wisely in your own classroom in order to become a better and more effective teacher. The book explores ten crucial aspects of teaching, the research behind them and why they work as they do. This is combined with everyday classroom examples describing both good and bad practice. Key topics include: Teacher subject knowledge; Evaluation and feedback; The importance of practice; Metacognition; Making students think. Chapters are clearly set ou, making it easy to find what you want and there are comprehensive references. An engaging read with plenty of new thoughts for teachers.

Can I Go and Play Now?: Rethinking the Early Years by Greg Bottrill

This is a highly readable book with a very personal slant which makes it appealing and engaging. The author explores how he ensures that, in his Early Years setting, continuous provision enables children. He shares his Early Years pedagogy through the '3Ms' and explains how to apply these in the classroom. Greg also explores the definition of play – what it is and what it isn’t – and the challenging role of the Early Years teacher. Topics include early reading and the joy of reading; early writing development; boys' writing; the nature of outdoor play and how to make this truly ‘outdoor’; the role of parents in child development; mathematics in play; when and how to do intervention work with children; how to get Headteachers and centre managers on board. These show just how wide-ranging and practical the book is - and always the child is at the heart of everything. Reassuring and empowering - a book to make you think and build confidence.

Special Needs in the Early Years: Partnership and Participation edited by Rebecca Crutchley

Instead of relying on one opinion, this book brings together a range of views and experiences to give differing perspectives in the subject; their expertise is shiwn in their profiles. Compliant with the SEND Code of Practice, this book explores all the key contemporary issues relevant to supporting children with special needs in an early years contextwith a balanced use of theory and practice. The individual child is at the very heart of the book, and the need for individuality is strongly expressed. Key topics covered include: The history and current climate of SEN provision; Working with Parents; Models of special needs provision; Leadership and inclusion; Professional ethics; Multi-agency working; Early intervention and International perspectives. This core textbook is an essential read for early years students at all levels, and early years practitioners who wish to gain a greater understanding of the core issues affecting special needs provision. I like the 'Pause for Reflection' boxes which encourage thought and discussion.

Teaching Primary Physical Education by Julia Lawrence

Often, specialist companies come into schools for PE, but classroom teachers will always need to know the basics and ensure they are offering children the best and most healthy opportunities, so this book has a place for every primary teacher. Teaching Primary Physical Education provides a concise overview of the knowledge, skills and understanding required for the confident teaching of physical education in primary schools. The reassuring approach of the book works well to give teachers confidence in what they are teaching and there are plenty of ideas which can be put into practice in a range of situations, indoors or outside Author Julia Lawrence offers a balanced and comprehensive overview of the subject, covering issues such as safe practice in Pe, inclusion, subject leadership and cross-curricular approaches to physical education supported by an accessible theory-informed approach. Case studies and further reading ensure that readers can make the most of the infrmation and further their own especial interests There is a very useful website at https://study.sagepub.com/lawrence2e which helps teachers put the ideas into practice.

Teaching Early Years: Theory and Practice edited by Amanda Thomas and Karen McInnes

This textbook focuses on the main areas of teaching young children. Its coverage of the 3-7 years age range means it bridges the gap between Reception classes and KS1, enabling pupils to have a smooth and coherent transition that uses the best of both worlds. The majority of chapters are written by both an academic and practitioner and this approach gives a practical knowledge-based aproach that is very authoritative, enabling the reader to set theoretical discussion in the context of real practice. Key themes explored within the book include: Play and playfulness in the curriculum; Child development in practice; Literacy development and subject pedagogy and Creativity and outdoor learning. Packed full of learning features such as case studies, reflective questions and lesson plans, Teaching Early Years is an essential resource for both students and practitioners, and will enhance your knowledge of how young children think and learn. It offers plenty of food for thought and the varied range of case studies mean that everyone will find relevant material. An all-round approach to the teaching of young children that will be valuable for both students and experienced practitioners.

Reflective Practice for Teachers by Maura Sellers

This is an updated edition of a book first published in 2013. It has been updated with a new chapter on assessment, to ensure compliance with the recent changes; extended discussion of metacognition in the classroom - a topic that has become increasingly to the fore recently; a critical perspective on what we really know about brain-based learning and further coverage models of reflective practice. 12 key topics are explored, starting with an exploration of reflective practice and what it means for teachers. Other topics include the learning process, self-directed learning and evaluation. New teachers will find much to engage with during teacher preparation and early career in the classroom in order to deepen understanding of teaching practice; experienced teachers will value the encouragement to reflect on and improve practice. Case studies and ‘What does this mean for you?’ boxes in every chapter take ideas from research and show how they can apply to the real world of teaching. A practical and thought-provoking book which will help teachers reflect on their own teaching methods and make improvements based on what they discover about themselves. Teachers can never sit back and stop making progress, and this book will encourage continued professional development for all teachers, new and experienced.

Childhood Today edited by Alex Owen

Childhood seems to get shorter and shorter and our perception of childhood is constantly changing. This book gives a fascinating insight into what it really means to be a child of the 21st century, and enhances the understanding that we, as professionals, researchers, parents and adults, have of an environment which appears to change constantly. Each chapter is written by a different expert in the field, meaning that the knowledge imparted is specific and well-researched. Modern society has a penchant, right or wrong, for labelling children; the book sets out to explore some of the different ‘labels’ that we give to children in an attempt to understand their contemporary experiences. The chapters include The Cotton Wool Child, The Regulated Child, The SEND child, The Stressed Child and The Fat Child - as you see, a wide range of potential problems. There are plenty of case studies which are relevant and useful to show the range of challenges children face. The 'Questions for reflection' in each chapter encourage deeper thinking and will be excellent to stimulate discussion. The speed of change in childhood can indeed be daunting but this book helps students, practitioners and researchers to explore and understand the variety of issues affecting children in the UK and all over the world.

Mindful Teacher, Mindful School by Kevin Hawkins

Wikipedia defines mindfulness as 'the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training'. It is certainly a buzz word at present and it's significance in schools is rapidly increasing, so it behoves all teachers to find out more about the process and how it can help in the classroom. The book cover tells us the book will help with 'Improving well-being in teaching and learning' - an objective with which we must all agree. Kevin Hawkins, teacher turned mindfulness consultant has plenty of experience in his field which is shared through this book. Both new and experienced teachers can learn how to use mindfulness in their lives and in their teaching to support student well-being. It explains what mindfulness is and the principles behind it, how changing the way we approach situations can transform the way we feel, shows how to manage stress, and how mindfulness can help students. The impact on the whole school environment is also covered. Packed with DIY exercises, activities to use in the classroom, and links to resources and further reading, this practical book will help teachers achieve that all-important work-life balance.

The Dyscalculia Resource Book: Games and Puzzles for ages 7 to 14 by Ronit Bird

This is the second edition of Ronit Bird’s highly popular The Dyscalculia Resource Book. It includes 120 games and puzzles plus a completely new section on ‘mixed operations puzzles’; these require careful reading and quick thinking on the part of pupils as they need to switch mentally between addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This new edition gives access to an accompanying website which features demonstration videos of different games and puzzles as well as the facility to easily download and print all the games and puzzles in the book - so much easier than photocopying from the book. The book will be valued by teachers in both mainstream settings and special schools, and the resources can be used to good effect with all children. The wide age range and the different abilities catered for mean this book offers excellent value.

Explaining Primary Science by Paul Chambers and Nicholas Souter

Trainee teachers who are not scientifically-minded may find the prospect of teaching science daunting - but this excellent book is here to help and give confidence. It covers all the major areas of science relevant for beginning primary school teachers, explaining key concepts from the ground up, helping trainees develop into confident science educators. This approach is really good as it does not assume previous knowledge, but provides a firm foundation from which inexperienced (and experienced) teachers can learn. Classroom activities and Videos of useful science experiments and demonstrations for the primary classroom are integrated into each chapter to translate concepts into teaching practice. The chapters link to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence. It's a really approachable book, which demystifies science, ensuring teachers have the confidence to tackle the subject in the best possible way to help their pupils. The layout is good; it's easy to find what you want. Unusually for a book of this nature, colour is used and this makes the book so much more approachable. The activities, of which there are a huge number, are clearly delineated, making navigation easy. An invaluable book for new and for experienced teachers.

Managing and Sharing Research Data by Louise Corti, Veerle Van den Eynden, Libby Bishop and Matthew Woollard

Research funders in the UK, USA and across Europe are implementing data management and sharing policies to maximize openness of data, transparency and accountability of the research they support; this is necessary in respect of keeping everyone informed and highlighting the value of the research work done. Written by experts from the UK Data Archive this book gives post-graduate students, researchers and research support staff the data management skills required in today’s changing research environment. The book features guidance on: how to plan your research using a data management checklist; how to format and organize data how to store and transfer data; research ethics and privacy in data sharing and intellectual property rights; data strategies for collaborative research; how to publish and cite data and how to make use of other people’s research data. The six real-life case studies of data use show the practical application of what is being done. It is a comprehensive guide to the value of research projects and shows how important this work is.

Playful Teaching and Learning by Glenda Walsh

It can often seem that the fun goes out of learning once children get beyond Nursery/Reception but there is no need for that to be the case. This book starts with early years, and continues on to age 8, offering practitioners and teachers captivating ideas to make learning enjoyable and effective. It includes chapters that: establish the core principles underpinning playful teaching and learning; help students and practitioners understand how playfulness can be applied to all aspects of the early years curriculum including mathematics, literacy, outdoor environments, science & technology, and ICT; explore core issues in early years provision including observing, planning & assessment, and how they relate to playful learning; emphasise the role and qualities of the playful professional. This is a fantastic resource for any student or practitioner looking to enrich the lives of young children through meaningful playful learning experiences. Extensively researched with an excellent number of case studies to show how the principles work in practice, plus references for further reading, this is authoritative yet highly readable. It really highlights the benefits to children of a playful approach to learning, giving teachers confidence to incorporate the principles into everyday teaching.

Children’s experiences of classrooms by Eleanore Hargreaves

I wonder how often teachers stop to think about what children feel about their classrooms? This is just the book to stimulate that thinking and to help teachers and their pupils get the most out of their classroom environment. If children are to succeed and progress at school, schools and teachers need to understand how children experience the classroom - after all, much of their young lives are spent in the classroom so it is a formative influence and we need to utilise it to the full. This book brings together the experienced author's practical work on children's classroom experiences in a variety of contexts. She uses the student voice to great effect to show what children think of classrooms, tasks, tests and exams, and how this impacts their experience of schooling. This powerful book really shows the impact of the classroom environment and should be part of every staffroom library as well as for student teachers - and a focus for discussion and (importantly) action.

Developing School Readiness by Kathryn Peckham

This practical book starts off by explaining the concept and history of school readiness, emphasising the fact that preparation for school really does start from a very young age. Whether you are a parent wanting an in-depth look at the topic, or an Early Years practitioner looking to get the best possible outcomes for the children in your care, there is plenty of practical advice based on experience to be found here. The book explains what school readiness means in the context of child development and wellbeing and clearly demonstrates the implications it has for creating enthusiastic lifelong learners. Showing the importance of an early start, the book has chapters specifically for those working with babies, under threes and under fives. It's good to see this age distinction, as obviously the processes are very different for each age. The book also emphasises the importance of play.Readers will come to understand the experiential nature of children's learning; how future success is affected by the experiences that have gone before and the importance of the adult's role in the child’s journey. Enlightening, practical and confidence-building, the book will ensure readers have the confidence to deliver practice that exceeds expectations and the knowledge to stand by that approach to teaching and caring for the children you work with, as well as enabling them to pass that knowledge on to others.

Successful Early Years Ofsted Inspections: Thriving Children, Confident Staff by Julian Grenier

Each time Ofsted issue a new Framework, it seems that the goalposts are moved and the stakes are higher so there is never room for complacency. Ofsted have a new, tougher inspection framework for the early years. If you are judged to be less than good, you risk losing funding for places. A reputation that took years to build can vanish overnight This up-to-date book ensures that all concerned with running Early Years settings - head teachers, senior leaders, EYFS co-ordinators, nursery managers and Early Years practitioners; it's clearly set out and well writtien to appeal to all practitioners. But going beyond the stringent requirements of Ofsted, Early Years expert Julian Grenier argues that it’s time to do what’s right for children and families, and build long-lasting and effective provision which is not simply focused on Ofsted results but which is always aspirational. Completely up to date with Ofsted’s new Common Inspection Framework and avoiding a ‘tick-box’ approach to preparation, Julian focuses on the importance of developing your provision and your team up to and beyond inspection day. It is accompanied by easy-to-use time-saving pro formas and self-reflective documents that can be downloaded online for free - these are valuable documents which help to focus attention on key areas. A practical, down-to-earth book that will help embed good practice.

Big Ideas in Primary Mathematics by Robert Newell

Encouraging children to learn by understanding rather than by rote is at the heart of this book, building skills that will be life-long. Linked throughout to the National Curriculum, and arranged in chapters dealing with each of the main learning areas (for example place value, time, fractions, statistics and measurement), the author shows how the topics can be taught to enable learning and support mathematical mastery. For non-specialists, the focus on explaining misconceptions and errors will strengthen their own mathematical subject knowledge, while also giving them the confidence to deepen the understanding of the children they teach. Key topics include: Problem-solving, reasoning and developing fluency in maths; Place value and counting systems; Measuring money, time, and weight; Geometry, and understanding space and shape; Fractions and statistics for the primary classroom. The prefect book for anyone studying primary mathematics on initial teacher education courses, including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS) and postgraduate (PGCE, PGDE, School Direct, SCITT) routes, and also NQTs. Clearly written, it's a book that can be dipped into at any stage of teaching, giving practical advice and reassurance.

Life After Levels by Sam Hunter

Children's Literature in Primary Schools by David Waugh

Inspiring Writing in Primary Schools by Liz Chamberlain

Effective Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage by Jan Dubiel