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Enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in schools for the benefit of the teacher and pupil is not a matter of quick 'tips for teachers.' It requires a fundamental review by every teacher of his or her own performance and its effects on learners. A significant way of achieving this is by systematic classroom observation and feedback from professional colleagues. This book describes how to set up and engage in classroom observation using well-established professional sampling frames. It illustrates how to use focused appraisal sessions and how to deliver the feedback interview. Underpinning the author's practical guidance is a tried and tested theory of improving teaching and learning for school development and performance management. The approach is practical, positive and supportive and is designed for senior staff, SENCOs, teachers in primary and secondary schools and those taking INSET and CPD courses.
`Their book will be of interest to teachers who wish to be proactive rather than reactive. It will be important reading for anyone who wishes to undertake school-based research' - Times Educational Supplement `This is a book which places teachers at the heart of inquiry for improvement. The realism, experience and optimism of each of the writers, shines through each page of the text. It is a "can-do" book which combines discussion of principles, practices and contexts with practical examples of exercises - recommended reading for those wishing to reflect upon the challenges and joys of engaging in teacher-led change' Christopher Day, Professor of Education and Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Teacher and School Development (CRSTD), The University of Nottingham This book shows how to support teachers' leadership of school change. Within a theoretical and policy context, the authors: give practical guidance for integrating inquiry with practice; show how to encourage collaboration and critical dialogue within and between schools; focus strongly on pupil, teacher and organizational learning. The book includes tried-and-tested ideas for aspiring and experienced teacher leaders and researchers.
Classroom Observation Tasks shows how to use observation to learn about language teaching. It does this by providing a range of tasks which guide the user through the process of observing, analysing and reflecting, and which develop the skills of observation. The book contains a bank of 35 structured tasks which are grouped into seven areas of focus: the learner, the language, the learning process, the lesson, teaching skills and strategies, classroom management, and materials and resources. Each task looks at one aspect of a particular area; for example, the language a teacher uses to ask questions, or how the teacher monitors learning, or how people interact in a lesson. Each task provides guidance in how to record observations, and questions to help users interpret the data and relate the experience to their own teaching circumstances and practice. [This book]: a- is addressed mainly to teachers, but also caters for trainee teachers, teacher trainers and others involved in school-based teacher support, teacher development and trainer training; b- has a comprehensive introduction to the tasks and a rationale covering the theoretical issues involved; and c- places the responsibility for professional growth in the hands of the teacher. -- Back cover.
In this second edition of Improving Instruction Through Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development we’ve maintained the conceptual framework while updating sections to provide the most recent research on instructional strategies that have the most promise of helping all students learn. Modifications of the law resulting from the reauthorization of the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act—Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015)—and their implication for practice are embedded throughout this new edition. Updated data collection tools for classroom observations are also provided. We included a link to a website that contains all the observation tools in electronic format so that observers can have the opportunity to collect data on a tablet or laptop, save the observation data as a PDF file and e-mail those data to the teacher observed. This new edition recognizes the reality that all principals are responsible for supervision, evaluation, and professional development of their teachers—tasks that are neither simple nor without conflict. The primary audience of this text is aspiring and practicing principals. We hope to help them understand both the theory and practice of supervision, evaluation, and professional development. However, observing instruction, collecting data for reflection, and having conversations about teaching, are not the sole provinces of principals. Master teachers, teacher leaders, and teacher colleagues can also benefit from the supervisory sections of the book, especially the chapters on high-quality instruction, improving instruction, and the classroom data collecting tools. The book provides numerous tools specifically designed to collect a variety of data in classrooms to improve instruction. Embedded in each chapter are exercises to apply Theory into Practice by responding to a set of questions posed by the key issues of the chapter. After the explication and illustration of the key concepts and principles of the chapter, actual Instructional Leadership Challenges as described by a successful practicing principal for reflection and analysis.
This ground-breaking book argues that spelling and writing need to be given more consideration in teaching and remedial settings especially if dyslexic pupils are to be helped back up to grade level, and other pupils are to make more effective, quicker progress. Helping teachers and student-teachers to understand the valuable contribution spelling and handwriting makes to literacy development in primary and secondary schools, this book shows them how to overcome existing barriers to learning. Chapters cover key topics such as: the nature of spelling and the impact of the National Literacy Strategy the strengths and weaknesses of existing schemes for handwriting the definitions of dyslexia and how common spelling errors by dyslexics are made making effective links between strategic assessment and strategic interventions in schools problem-based learning, underpinned by plenty of casestudies and real life classroom examples. Written by a well-known author in the field of literacy and dyslexia, this is a core text that will interest teachers, teacher educators, and undergraduate and postgraduate students in education and inclusion.
This practical resource shows what teachers can do to combat disadvantage and underachievement in schools and from early years to secondary education. Written by an experienced teacher, teacher educator and chartered psychologist, the book highlights effective teaching and learning methods that can be used to overcome barriers to learning, satisfy different learning needs and help students achieve their full potential. Packed with up-to-date research, useful guidance and examples, the book explores what schools have done and what they can do without need for extra resourcing. It includes case studies that examine the types of underachievement patterns that are found across age ranges and, by detailing approaches in subject teaching, defines the nature of effective learning and shows what strategies can be used to meet these criteria. Moreover, the chapters provide: An exploration into the central needs of underachieving and disadvantaged learners across the ability range Information about how to audit the provision and the needs Accessible resources for the classroom changes that need to be made to the education and training of teachers Tackling Disadvantage and Underachievement in Schools is essential reading for teachers in early years education and primary and secondary schools, teachers in training and their educators, as well as leaders, policymakers, researchers and anyone interested in improving performance in schools.
Children with both giftedness and special educational needs are often found in the mainstream classrooms. This essential resource provides an overview of existing knowledge about dual and multiple exceptionality (DME), examining the needs of gifted and talented children from both the class teacher’s and SENCo’s perspectives. Diane Montgomery explores both the specialist interventions that some children will need at least for part of their school life, as well as the general inclusive provision that every school can develop to meet the needs of all children. Focusing on evidence-based identification throughout, chapters in this accessible book cover: An analysis of the terms ‘giftedness and talent’ and the different methods that can be used for identifying them and assessing their limitations Identifying and supporting a range of difficulties, syndromes and disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, DCD, ASD, ADHD and SEBD How to manage classroom behaviour, improve school ethos and create a DME-friendly school through inclusive teaching and learning This invaluable resource will assist you in creating a DME friendly school, help to integrate learners with a range of difficulties and enable them and others to learn.
