Debates in Primary Education

This book encourages pre-service and established teachers, as well as teacher educators, to engage with contemporary debates in primary education. It promotes a critical approach and explores key themes such as values, curriculum, and children's learning. It aims to support practitioners to make informed judgements and argue their point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge, increasing teacher agency and confidence in responding to complex educational and social dilemmas. Chapters cover both macro and specialised debates, and include annotated further reading and reflective questions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating text serves as a valuable resource for both pre-service and experienced teachers, as well as teacher educators, who seek to engage with the contemporary debates in primary education. It advocates for a critical approach, delving into a diverse range of key themes such as the significance of values in primary education and the need for a curriculum that embraces the entirety of available subjects. At the same time, the book is grounded in the belief that children should be at the center of all our decisions and that primary education should foster a lifelong love of learning.

The primary objective of this book is to provide practitioners with the necessary tools and knowledge to make informed decisions and confidently articulate their perspectives, thereby enhancing their teacher agency and confidence in addressing complex educational and social challenges, including literacy levels and rising mental health concerns. The chapters encompass both the broader aspects of primary education and specialized discussions on key topics such as reading, mathematics, languages, early years education, and the integration of technology.

To enhance the reader's understanding, each chapter includes annotated further reading and reflective questions. This key text is an indispensable resource for all individuals who aspire to deepen their understanding of the issues that shape their practice, including student teachers at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, practicing teachers engaged in ongoing professional development, and teacher educators. By engaging with the insights and perspectives presented in this book, educators can cultivate a more informed and responsive approach to teaching and learning, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their students and the broader educational community.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367548865