This second edition of Supporting Boys’ Writing in the Early Years shows how you can help boys to become confident and capable writers by supporting them to write in ways that make sense to them – on the move, outside and inside, in dens, in bushes, in mud, or sprawled on the floor dressed as superheroes. The book reveals that a playful, child-centred approach can allow boys and girls to develop a writers’ voice, raise attainment in writing and enhance all aspects of young children’s development. This new edition includes: brand new examples, case studies and photographs from over 200 recent early writing projects; up-to-date references fully in line with the latest Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) documentation; a response to the increased focus in schools on handwriting, in particular on cursive handwriting; a questioning of the place of objective-led print in the classroom and a recommendation that environmental print should reflect learning rather than teaching; imaginative ideas for developing oral and written storytelling; a consideration of some of the ways in which challenging active play, such as superhero and weapon play, can be channelled into playful writing; a greater discussion and challenging of the emphasis placed on outcomes, over the process of learning and development. Supporting Boys' Writing in the Early Years will help you to create a truly enabling environment for writing and supports the belief that writing experiences should be EPIC: Everywhere, Playful and Purposeful, Inspirational and Contextualised. It is an essential read for all practitioners who want the children in their setting to flourish as motivated and creative writers.

Julie Cigman uses a vast range of personal vignettes to explain best practice when encouraging boys to write. The theory is brought to life with these recollections, making this a very informative and enjoyable book to read. The ideas for working together with boys are beautifully simple and are tried and tested. This book would support both experienced practitioners and those who are just starting out, because it is so accessible and uses examples in such a delightful way - Kathy Brodie, Early Years Consultant, UKEarly Years Consultant, UK. Julie Cigman has given us a practical and principled way forward in supporting boys' writing. This book is shot through with rich examples of effective practice and deserves to be widely used. Young boys' writing is bought alive for us in these pages, and the groundedness in practice demonstrates how boys' achievement in writing can be appropriately supported from an early age. This is a book for everyone interested in promoting early literacy development. An excellent read and a practical compendium -Professor Cathy Nutbrown, School of Education, The University of Sheffield. How do we give young children a ‘writers’ voice’ and allow them to become creative and inspired writers? Supporting Boys’ Writing in the Early Years shows you how you can help boys to become confident and capable writers by supporting them to write in ways that make sense to them – on the move, outside and inside, in dens, in bushes, in mud, or sprawled on the floor dressed as superheroes. Drawing on four boys writing projects involving over 80 practitioners, the book reveals that a playful, child-centred approach can allow boys and girls to develop a writers’ voice and raise attainment in writing as well as enhancing all aspects of young children’s development. With a strong focus on observation-led assessment and planning, the book is full of practical ideas to improve the writing environment and provide writing opportunities that will be enjoyable and motivating for children. Featuring a wide range of case studies, it covers: the stages that children move through in learning to write; how you can change and develop your learning environments to give children inspiring resources and opportunities to write; helping children to find a purpose to write through their play; practical ways to create a partnership with parents that builds on their strengths as educators at home. This book will help you to create a truly enabling environment for writing and is essential reading for all those that want the children in their setting to become confident, motivated and creative writers.

`Improving Literacy at KS2 and KS3 is all about primary-secondary transfer, seen mostly through the eyes of secondary teachers, but with some interesting contributions from middle-school staff who know the territory well. This book sees the NLS′s influence on primary practice as generally benign, but takes a more jaundiced view of the implications for secondary teaching, especially in its central chapter "Evidence from experienced practitioners". There are, however, many useful suggestions for reshaping and adapting parts of the strategy, including chapters on classroom literacy and everyday life and literacy and drama which consider ways of relating learning to the wider culture beyond school, including screen-based literacy. There is also a review of the language-across-the-curriculum movement and a chapter on subject literacies which has left me with an abiding admiration for geography teachers as lone voices of dissent′ - Sue Palmer, TES Teacher This book will to help students and practising teachers to understand the issues surrounding literacy, the place of transition in pupils′ lives, and to feel confident in handling The National Literacy Strategy. The book focuses on the crucial period when children complete primary schooling and begin in secondary schools. It examines the issue of transition from one phase to the other and specifically, the nature of literacy at this period. The authors contrast the `whole school′ approach of primaries to the very subject-specific nature of secondary teaching. The authors set the NLS in perspective, reviewing earlier movements such as Language across the Curriculum and the NLS itself. They offer a critique of the strategy and outline its strengths and weaknesses. The book sets out evidence of the way schools are reacting to the NLS, and what classroom teachers and their pupils think. Its coverage is comprehensive and includes focus on primary, secondary and middle schools, the teaching of literacy and English, the role of ICT, as well as important areas such as media education, drama and modern foreign languages. This book will be useful to education students and to practicing teachers in primary and secondary schools.

This workbook is designed to reinforce specific writing skills including personal narrative, informative writing, descriptive writing, opinion and comparative writing, and writing a short report.

There is a significant problem in our schools: too many boys are struggling. The list of things to concern teachers is long. Disappointing academic results, a lack of interest in studying, higher exclusion rates, increasing mental health issues, sexist attitudes, an inability to express emotions.... Traditional ideas about masculinity are having a negative impact, not only on males, but females too. In this ground-breaking book, Matt Pinkett and Mark Roberts argue that schools must rethink their efforts to get boys back on track. Boys Don’t Try? examines the research around key topics such as anxiety and achievement, behaviour and bullying, schoolwork and self-esteem. It encourages the reader to reflect on how they define masculinity and consider what we want for boys in our schools. Offering practical quick wins, as well as long-term strategies to help boys become happier and achieve greater academic success, the book: offers ways to avoid problematic behaviour by boys and tips to help teachers address poor behaviour when it happens highlights key areas of pastoral care that need to be recognised by schools exposes how popular approaches to "engaging" boys are actually misguided and damaging details how issues like disadvantage, relationships, violence, peer pressure, and pornography affect boys’ perceptions of masculinity and how teachers can challenge these. With an easy-to-navigate three-part structure for each chapter, setting out the stories, key research, and practical solutions, this is essential reading for all classroom teachers and school leaders who are keen to ensure male students enjoy the same success as girls.

In this rhyming story, Kiara learns how to keep going even when things get too hard. Through colorful illustrations and rhythmic rhymes, Kiara reflects on her mistakes and realizes that mistakes help her grow. Instead of avoiding them, she learns from them so she can improve. Do you want your child to learn about perseverance and diligence? Your child will learn how easy it is to get back up after failing. "I Choose to Try Again" is a story with social emotional learning (SEL) in mind. It has been praised by teachers and therapists worldwide. This story told from Kiara's point of view will help open your child's mind to what it feels like to fail, and then try again. Kiara will teach your child how to be mentally strong. With Kiara in real life examples, your child will learn to develop their understanding of their own emotions. Throughout the story, Kiara will show you what perseverance looks like. Teacher and Therapist Toolbox: I Choose is an empowering series curated to empower young children to become aware of big emotions. A new book series developed in tandem with teachers and therapists to help children cope with a range of emotions and teach them that they indeed hold the power to choose their actions and reactions. Try not to say 'never.'. That brainwashes you to fail. It means that you won't have the chance To raise the victory sail. "I Choose to Try Again" was developed alongside counselors and parents to be used as a resource in a social emotional curriculum.

The inspiring sequel to the 2015 Parent's Choice Winner, How to Read a Story! Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one. Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don't be afraid to mix things up. Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero. Now: Begin. Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel playfully chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this fun follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this empowering picture book breaks down the writing process in a dynamic and accessible way, encouraging kids to explore their own creativity—and share their stories with others! • Perfect for educators, librarians, and parents who are helping children develop early writing and reading skills • Great read-aloud book for preschool- and kindergarten-aged children interested in learning to read • Helps teach Common Core Curriculum skills Young readers who love We Are in a Book!, How Rocket Learned to Read, and Also an Octopus will love the reading and writing lessons and inspiration in How to Write a Story. • Read-aloud books for kids ages 3–5 • Learning to write books for kids • Kindergarten, pre-K creativity books Kate Messner is an award-winning author whose many books for kids have been selected as Best Books by the New York Times, Junior Library Guild, Indie Bound, and Bank Street College of Education. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family. Mark Siegel is the author of many graphic novels and children's picture books, including the 5 Worlds series, as well as the illustrator of How to Read a Story and the Robert F. Sibert Honor Book To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel. He lives in New York.