The Effective Primary School Classroom

This accessible book provides student-teachers and new teachers with a good overview of how to organise the busy primary classroom.

This book offers a challenge to traditional approaches to classroom teaching and pedagogy. The SPRinG (Social Pedagogic Research into Groupwork) project, part of a larger research programme on teaching and learning funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), was developed to enhance the learning potential of pupils working in classroom groups by actively involving teachers in a programme designed to raise levels of group work during typical classroom learning activities. Internationally, the SPRinG project is the largest evaluation of effective group working methods in comparison to traditional teaching, with findings that show raised levels of pupil achievement and a doubling of sustained, active engagement in learning. The opening chapters present arguments regarding the relationship of social interaction and children’s cognitive development and examine theories that explain why social interactional processes should be integrated into primary school pedagogic practices. Next, the book describes the conceptual and methodological basis for the SPRinG studies, especially its focus on the relational approach, the type of involvement of teachers and classroom planning. Further chapters present key results and describe the background and methods used to establish SPRinG-based effects on pupil progress in mathematics, literacy and science, including both macro and micro assessments; how the SPRinG approach affected pupil-pupil interactions and teacher-pupil interactions, as measured by systematic on-the-spot observations and analyses of videotapes of groups working on specially designed tasks work; and effects on pupil self-completed measures of motivation and attitudes to group work. The book also analyses reflections of teachers who have worked with SPRinG: moving from theory to practice as well as adding insights associated with implementing SPRinG principles in schools. Drawing upon developmental psychological, social psychological and classroom research, it develops a new and ambitious social pedagogic approach to classroom learning, with a stress on group work, which will be of interest to researchers, teachers and policy-makers. This book includes contributions from Andrew Tolmie and Ed Baines, who were also involved in the ScotSPRinG and SPRinG projects.

Since the publication of the first edition, Organising Learning in the Primary School Classroom has been recognised as an indispensable guide for primary school teachers in their quest for more effective practice in the classroom. It gives help on everyday problems of classroom organisation: how to group children, how to set out a classroom physically, how to make the most efficient use of time and resources. Now in its 4th edition, the book retains these strengths but has been brought right up to date with the many changes that are taking place nationally and globally. The book begins with a survey of these recent changes and goes on to consider their implications for teachers if today's schools are to prepare children for what is, to some extent, an unknown future. In addition to chapters on classroom organisation, the book includes chapters on: child development creativity PSHE and citizenship teaching language and literacy, ICT, mathematics and science the foundation subjects working with parents working effectively with Teaching Assistants evaluating and assessing learning teaching children with special educational needs or exceptional ability. Throughout, the aim is to get teachers and student teachers to analyse their own classrooms and to produce solutions that will work for them. This book will be invaluable not only to newly qualified teachers, but also to experienced practitioners wishing to review their work.

This book describes good practice in the primary school and offers advice particularly to beginning teachers and students. It begins by considering the children, their physical, intellectual and emotional development and the development of their self-image. It makes suggestions about ways in which a teacher can assess a new class and stresses the importance of motivation and first-hand experience. The Effective Primary School Classroom covers all the issues teachers are faced with in their day-to-day work and includes chapters on: managing time and space teaching and learning working in groups evaluation and record keeping classroom management working with support staff working with parents. In addition, there is discussion of ways of organising learning to help children acquire the learning set out in the National Curriculum. Including case studies and suggestions for investigations, this text is essential reading for student teachers about to begin school placements or newly qualified teachers just starting their first post. More experienced teachers and teacher trainers will also find the book a useful resource.

A fascinating account of the range of teaching, assessing and feedback strategies used by individual 'expert' teachers. The book describes: *the most common lesson patterns, why and when they are used *how teaching strategies are varied according to subjects *how assessment and feedback information can encourage pupils to learn *the differences in teaching seven year olds and eleven year olds

A fascinating account of the range of teaching, assessing and feedback strategies used by individual 'expert' teachers. The book describes: *the most common lesson patterns, why and when they are used *how teaching strategies are varied according to subjects *how assessment and feedback information can encourage pupils to learn *the differences in teaching seven year olds and eleven year olds

Headteachers, teachers, parents, politicians and school governors have long been united in wondering how to produce effective teaching in primary schools - but they could find few reliable answers. This book changes that. Here, some of the UK's leading researchers into effective primary school provision combine qualitative and quantitative research findings to shine a spotlight on teaching in effective primary schools. They reveal the pedagogical strategies that are the hallmark of successful schools and bring these strategies to life through detailed observations of classroom interactions. Reading this book takes you into the classrooms of skillful teachers and describes inspirational teaching. The book offers accessible, multi-layered evidence for making learning more engaging and motivating for children, through better pedagogical practice.

This practical and accessible handbook has been written by an experienced primary leader, and will offer anyone seeking guidance on creating or maintaining a more effective primary school a valuable and friendly resource.