A practical guide to the ways in which the Learning Support Assistant can effectively support the class teacher with regard to literacy and numeracy frameworks.

“Arguably the most common sense, and certainly the most informative, contemporary text onliteracy… Glynn, Wearmouth and Berryman bring a wealth of experience to the field of literacy,culture and family/school collaboration. We are indebted to the authors for putting together such aninformative and groundbreaking text that has overarching relevance in today’s multicultural society.” Dr Gavin Reid, University of Edinburgh, UK “A much needed text to counter the overly psychological approach to teaching literacy. It emphasizes asocio-cultural approach which puts the focus on the interactive, responsive and social elements of thechild learning to read in relation to the world around them.” Wally Penetito, Victoria University, New Zealand In many countries, school populations are becoming increasingly socially and culturally diverse, and delivering effective literacy programmes is becoming more challenging and complex. This book shows schools how to address difficulties with literacy learning experienced by students of diverse backgrounds, by employing strategies that respond to and affirm difference. This ‘responsive approach’ actively engages with students’ prior knowledge and experiences and ensures that these are fully validated in the literacy activities of the classroom. The responsive approach includes members of students' homes and communities collaborating to facilitate their participation in defining and delivering literacy programmes. This book illustrates ways in which teachers and other adults can create responsive social contexts at school and at home, to enable all children to participate fully in reading, writing and oral language activities in the classroom. It offers effective strategies for overcoming barriers to literacy learning, including: Reading tutoring that promotes comprehension and independence Writing partnerships that respond to children’s messages Responsive feedback strategies Interactive contexts that promote student responsibility for learning Community and school collaboration to develop authentic learning tasks Supporting Students with Literacy Difficulties: A Responsive Approach is key reading for teacher education students, practising teachers and parents.

Supporting Teaching and Learning brings together theoretical perspectives, practical educational ideas and current academic debates to help students develop their knowledge and understanding of core educational issues. It explores the professional relationships necessary for quality learning and encourages the reader to reflect critically on their values, beliefs and assumptions about learning and teaching. Written by an author team from a range of educational backgrounds, the book focuses on the key issues that teaching teams face as they work together to support children and young people in their learning. Covering a broad range of topics, themes and age ranges, each chapter contains a statement of the author’s values and beliefs and concludes with discussion starters, ideas for reflecting on practice and a list of useful resources. Chapters include: The core subjects in the curriculum; Information and Communications Technology, Linguistic and cultural diversity; Special educational needs; Out-of-school learning; Assessment; Reflective practice and action research. Accessible, discursive and thought provoking, this book is essential reading for students on a range of education courses including Foundation Degrees, Education Studies and those undertaking initial teacher training.

This practical handbook contains information for candidates on the NVQ Teaching Assistants course or practitioners working alongside classroom teachers. It explores all the aspects of establishing relationships with children, supporting learning activities and managing behaviour.

This fully revised edition of Early Years Practice: Getting It Right From the Start integrates theory and practice and expands on the topics of early childhood practice as located within the context of international curriculum frameworks including Aistear, the Irish framework. With two new chapters it introduces readers to the complexities and possibilities of a play-based pedagogy and the importance of pedagogical leadership. Drawing on recent international scholarship, the book pays particular attention to the role of outdoor play and learning and the impact of digital technologies. It considers how best to manage the competing demands, challenges and tensions that affect the daily experiences of educators and children in contemporary society. This new edition also revises the original text with expanded references on topics such as the ecology of early childhood settings, education for sustainability, developmental psychology, education and neuroscience. This timely text also reviews international literature from both research and practice, strengthens understandings of the key role of relationships to quality practice and the effects on the development and learning of young children. All the chapters provide specific examples of good practice with strategies and suggestions aimed at enhancing the overall experience of early childhood settings for both educators and children. The information collected and explored in the book can be used by lecturers and educators alike to stimulate conversation, guide reflection and support the profession of early childhood educators to collectively work towards achieving, supporting and sustaining high-quality early years practice that adds constructively to the lives of babies and young children.

This book will help those who plan and develop literacy initiatives; using case studies from literacy programmes in many countries including Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mali, Nigeria, the Philippines and Uganda, it demonstrates the importance of literacy, its power to improve lives, and the role literacy plays in social and economic development.

Developing Early Literacy Skills Outdoors provides practitioners with practical planning for how to develop and enhance the outdoor area to facilitate literacy learning. The activities throughout the book are low cost and easy to set up, aiming to reassure practitioners and give them confidence to plan more literacy learning experiences outdoors. This is further supported with planning guidance and resource ideas, as well as advice on observation and assessment, including suggestions for how to reduce the paperwork burden and a useful observation template. The book is divided into sections that represent the different aspects of communication, language and literacy and includes: an introduction to each aspect, explaining why it is important and outlining the fundamental skills and concepts that underpin it; ideas for adult-led and adult-initiated activities that aim to develop children's early knowledge, skills and understanding in communication, language and literacy; suggestions for how to enhance continuous outdoor provision so that it promotes communication, language and literacy skills; pointers and tips about teaching mathematics in the early years and includes ideas for how to involve parents and carers.

Intended to help local program managers in developing and implementing action plans to improve curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning opportunities for all children in center-based, home-based, family child care, and in child care partnerships.

This indispensable textbook provides the underpinning knowledge to support all teaching assistants working towards Level 2 of the National Occupational Standards. This new edition is fully revised and extended to incorporate and respond to all new materials required to meet the 2007 standards. Taking into account current initiatives including Workforce Remodelling and the Every Child Matters agenda, the book can be used to support NVQs, or other Teaching Assistant awards at level 2, or can be used simply to supplement good practice. This accessible companion: actively engages the reader in activities, developing reflective practice while giving the theoretical background to school-based work gives insight and information about pupils’ individual needs helps teaching assistants develop curriculum-based skills to enable more effective classroom support emphasises that teaching assistants are team members, supporting the school and being supported by the school. Contributions from specialist advisers ensure that the ideas and techniques are up to date, relevant and the best practice. All phases of education are covered, from the early years to later secondary years, and references are made to sources of further information throughout the book. The Essential Guide for Competent Teaching Assistants is invaluable in supporting both study and everyday practice. It will also be useful to training providers, teachers and school managers supporting Teaching Assistants in their professional development.

This guide to inclusive practice covers contemporary policy issues, perspectives from practice and specialist guidance from across a wide range of common syndromes. Bringing together the important combination of theory, knowledge and practice, each chapter is written by experts from fields within Special and Additional Educational Needs. This third edition includes new chapters on: - The current context of SEN current context: in research and practice - Speech, language and communication - The role and use of technology in supporting learners with SEND - Pathological/Extreme Demand Avoidance (PDA/EDA) - Working together - Children and Young People’s Perspectives Providing a solid foundation for understanding and supporting learners with additional needs, this comprehensive text is ideal whether you are a student, teacher or education practitioner.