Literacy and Language in the Primary Years

Primary school teachers have now been given specific goals for children ages seven to eleven. These children must demonstrate confident and convincing skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading. How are their teachers to achieve these goals? David Wray and Jane Medwell provide a set of strategies for the teacher to understand oral and literacy development, to promote these essential skills in collaboration with their pupils and to create a classroom environment in which talk and literacy are central. Included are chapters on the phenomenon of language, the role of stories, literacy across the curriculum and new technology and assessment. Each chapter is linked to a component of the National Curriculum Programme and contains a selection on points of interest, sources of further information and suggestions for follow-up activities in the classroom. This exceptionally practical and engaging book will be invaluable to teachers in training, experienced teachers, and language specialists.