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Developing Literacy in the Primary Classroom
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Developing Literacy in the Primary Classroom



June 2014 | 264 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Primary literacy involves many different learning processes, which can make it challenging to teach, particularly in diverse classroom environments.
 
Combining an examination of theory and research with practical case studies and real examples of teaching practice, this book shows trainee and early career teachers how to engage and motivate children to develop a range of primary English skills.
 
Chapters incorporate broader aspects of primary teaching such as active learning, self-regulation and assessment, and activities and discussion points explore how to apply important principles to your own teaching.
 
Drawing from international research and aware of policy developments in different countries, the book covers key topics on primary teacher education courses, including:
  • The foundations of reading, writing and oracy skills
  • Planning, assessment and classroom organisation
  • Using new technologies and social media as tools for learning
  • Engaging with the literacy needs of diverse learners.
This is essential reading for students on university-based and school-based courses preparing to teach in primary education, and early career teachers seeking to continue their professional learning.  
  
Dr Gary Woolley is senior lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
 
What is literacy in today’s world?
 
Language learning: The foundation for literacy
 
Reading
 
Listening, speaking, viewing, and acting
 
Writing, designing, filming and Web 2.0 tools
 
Children’s literature
 
Reading comprehension
 
Information texts, inquiry and ICT
 
Diverse learners and literacy
 
Planning, organisation and literacy engagement
 
Assessment
 
Home and school literacy partnerships

'Gary Woolley’s new book gives us a comprehensive overview of what we mean by both literacy and literacies in our modern world. It is thoroughly researched and offers student and practising teachers, and those working in Higher Education, a balanced and informed overview of the theory behind our present teaching practices.'

Howard Cotton
Lecturer in Language and Literacy, Plymouth University, UK

'This important book is highly relevant for an international audience. What makes Gary Woolley a ‘must read’ author is his unique ability to combine a socio-cultural perspective on literacy with extremely sound practical advice on how to actually intervene and teach reading beyond the beginning stages.'

 Peter Westwood, Education Consultant and Author

 

'It is not easy to marry the basic tenets of the socio-cultural view of literacy with the implementation of research-based teaching methods … but Woolley has managed to do this very successfully. This book is an important and comprehensive contribution to the field.'

Peter Westwood, Education Consultant and Author

 

'Highly recommended. The author has left no stone unturned in this extremely comprehensive exploration of how best to develop students’ literacy skills. Beginning teachers, and those with experience, will find much here to influence their positive thinking and their classroom practices. A truly 21st century perspective.'

Peter Westwood, Education Consultant and Author

Peter Westwood
Education Consultant and Author, Australia

'Highly recommended. The author has left no stone unturned in this extremely comprehensive exploration of how best to develop students’ literacy skills. Beginning teachers, and those with experience, will find much here to influence their positive thinking and their classroom practices. A truly 21st century perspective.'

Peter Westwood
Education Consultant and Author, Australia

'Dr Gary Woolley is a leading contemporary writer and researcher in the domain of literacy education.  His new book Developing Literacy in the Primary Classroom is a comprehensive overview on the critical topics all teachers need to understand and apply to be effective literacy educators.  Effective literacy practices are multidimensional and require classroom teachers to have both the content knowledge associated with literacy and the pedagogical knowledge about how to teach literacy.  That is, teachers need to  know and understand what is literacy, how students’ learn and advance in their literacy skills, and how to direct, structure, monitor and adapt their literacy instructions and practices, as required for different purposes. Dr Woolley’s book Developing Literacy in the Primary Classroom is strongly focussed on developing teachers’ pedagogical knowledge across the different elements of literacy and across the changing demands of students’ literacy enhancement across the school years.'

Professor Ian Hay
Past Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania

'Developing Literacy in the Primary Classroom is a comprehensive overview of the critical topics all teachers need to understand and apply to be effective literacy educators.  Teachers need to know and understand what literacy is, how students learn and advance in their literacy skills, and how to direct, structure, monitor and adapt their literacy instructions and practices, as required for different purposes. This book is strongly focussed on developing teachers’ pedagogical knowledge across the different elements of literacy and across the changing demands of students’ literacy enhancement across the school years.'

Professor Ian Hay
Past Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania

This book has really useful discussions and case studies to utilize with undergraduate students. It has been really useful on the module 'Literacy and Numeracy in Focus'.

Mrs Claire Pescott
Early Years and Education, University of South Wales (Glamorgan)
January 29, 2018

an excellent book for literacy

Ms alison mary stevenson
Early years & young people, North West Regional college
May 25, 2016

The book offers a lot in Terms of theoretical Background as well as practical relevance.

Miss Lisa Paleczek
Educational Science, University of Graz
March 16, 2015

A well-written and useful text which covers several important topics.

Dr David Waugh
School of Education, Durham University
December 10, 2015

This book offers very handy theoretical base about literacy. In addition to that it deals with reading comprehension, ICT in literacy teaching, how to treat diverse learners. I recommend teachers and prospective teachers.

Mr Kerem Coskun
Primary Education, Artvin Coruh University
August 25, 2014

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