Classroom Interactions in Literacy

INTERACTIONS IN LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN THE CLASSROOM Edited by Eve Bearne, Henrietta Dombey and Teresa Grainger How important is professional knowledge and an informed understanding of pedagogy? What are the key issues in the unfolding language and literacy agenda? How can the profession encompass a more interactive and informed view of pedagogy? This book examines some of the complexities and debates about language, literacy and learning, challenging current assumptions about shared understanding of pedagogical principles. It foregrounds social and cultural issues and the nature of interaction between children and teachers; children and children; children and texts of all kinds; and the significance of wider interactions within the teaching profession. The contributors revitalise debate about the nature of professional knowledge, provide insights into the detail of classroom discourse and teacher interventions, and examine the transformative possibilities of literacy. They argue for a more open and expansive agenda informed by an analytically constructive view of pedagogy and challenge the profession to move from restrictive certainties to the potent possibilities of development through uncertainty and risk. Interactions in Language and Literacy in the Classroom is key reading for primary teachers, students in initial teacher education, teacher educators, researchers in the field, literacy consultants in LEAs, inspectors and advisors. Eve Bearne divides her time at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education between research and teaching. She is currently President of the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKRA). Henrietta Dombey started to learn about literacy teaching and learning during her years as a primary school teacher in schools in Inner London. During the introduction of the National Curriculum she chaired the National Association for the Teaching of English. She was also President of the UKRA in 2002-3. Teresa Grainger is a Reader in Education at Canterbury Christ Church University College where she facilitates a Pedagogy Study Group for staff and undertakes research and consultancy. She was President of the UKRA in 2001-2.Bearne, Eve is the author of 'Classroom Interactions in Literacy', published 2003 under ISBN 9780335213863 and ISBN 0335213863.