Understanding and Teaching Primary English: Theory Into Practice

Inspiring and supporting you to become an insightful, creative and professional teacher of primary English.   Teaching children English is an opportunity to give them skills that will enrich their entire lives and is a crucial part of their intellectual development. Covering all major aspects of primary English and following the foundations set in the early years, this book takes you through your teacher training and into your early career in the classroom. Each topic explores what we know from theory and the latest research, and then demonstrates how you can use this understanding in practice. Drawing on the authors’ own knowledge and experiences in the classroom, the book is full of practical advice and strategies to support your own teaching, while also helping you develop your subject knowledge. Key topics include: · Reading and writing in the early years · Curriculum design and planning · Promotive reading for pleasure and teachers as readers · Teaching writing and its role as a form of communication · Vocabulary development and word knowledge · Assessment for formative and summative purposes · Oracy and spoken language development

Table of Contents:
Part 1: English in the Early Years Chapter 1: Reading in the Early Years: Theory Chapter 2: Reading in the Early Years: Practice Chapter 3: Writing in the Early Years: Theory Chapter 4: Writing in the Early Years: Practice Part 2: Oracy and spoken language Chapter 5: Talk, Oracy and Spoken Language: Theory Chapter 6: Talk, Oracy and Spoken Language: Practice Part 3: Reading Chapter 7: The Simple View of Reading: Theory Chapter 8: The Simple View of Reading: Practice Chapter 9: Becoming a Reader: Theory and practice in reading for pleasure Chapter 10: Teachers as Readers – Understanding the Importance of Children’s Literature: Theory and Practice Part 4: Writing Chapter 11: The Teaching and Learning of Writing: Theory Chapter 12: The Teaching and Learning of Writing: Practice Chapter 13: Teaching Grammar and Punctuation in Context: Theory and practice Part 5: Vocabulary and word knowledge Chapter 14: Building Vocabulary and Word Knowledge: Theory and Practice Part 6: Curriculum, planning and assessment Chapter 15: Curriculum and Planning in Primary English: Theory Chapter 16: Curriculum and Planning in Primary English: Practice Chapter 17: Assessment in English: Theory Chapter 18: Assessment in English: Practice

About the Author :
James Clements is an experienced teacher, researcher, and education writer. He has worked with groups of schools, education organisations and governments in the UK and across the world. James’ principal areas of interest are children’s development of language and language comprehension, how schools create rich reading cultures, and authentic ways of supporting children’s written communication. Prior to this, James was a primary teacher and school leader in central London. He is the author of Teaching English by the Book. Mathew Tobin was a primary teacher and school leader for many years before becoming a senior lecturer in Primary English and Children′s Literature. He continues to work closely with school practitioners and pupils particularly with a particular focus on raising standards in English. He is passionate about raising the profile of Reading Teachers and the Reflecting Realities agenda and teaches these areas at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Mathew is often invited to chair discussions around Children′s Literature, deliver keynotes and is involved in various judging panels. His own research interests include exploring the relationships between children′s literature and the landscapes and the pedagogical potential and benefits of a locality-based curriculum.

Review :
I love this book. The approach of connecting the theory to practical applications is brilliant and you will find yourself nodding in agreement throughout.