Effective Early Childhood Education

Download Effective Early Childhood Education full books in PDF, epub, and Kindle. Read online Effective Early Childhood Education ebook anywhere anytime directly on your device. Fast Download speed and no annoying ads. We cannot guarantee that every ebooks is available!

Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education

Author : Sue Bredekamp
Publisher : Pearson Higher Ed
ISBN 13 : 013325738X
Total Pages : 602 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (332 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education by : Sue Bredekamp

Download or read book Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education written by Sue Bredekamp and published by Pearson Higher Ed. This book was released on 2013-09-03 with total page 602 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NOTE: Used books, rentals, and purchases made outside of Pearson If purchasing or renting from companies other than Pearson, the access codes for the Enhanced Pearson eText may not be included, may be incorrect, or may be previously redeemed. Check with the seller before completing your purchase. This package includes the Enhanced Pearson eText and the bound book. Sue Bredekamp, one of the foremost authorities in the field of early childhood education, is author of Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation, now in its Second Edition. At its core, this intriguing text provides the building blocks for understanding effective practices in early childhood education. Building upon the Developmentally Appropriate Practice framework that she conceptualized, Sue Bredekamp shows how effective teaching practices can make a difference in the lives of young children. Written with a clear and engaging presentation, the author designed the book to prepare a new generation of early childhood professionals by remaining keenly focused on the three core themes threaded throughout: intentional teaching, challenging and interesting curriculum, and evidence-based, effective practices for a new generation of early childhood educators. The Enhanced Pearson eText features embedded video. Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText* The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is: Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience. Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad® and Android® tablet.* Affordable. The Enhanced Pearson eText may be purchased stand-alone or with a loose-leaf version of the text for 40-65% less than a print bound book. * The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads. *The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7” or 10” tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later.

Visible Learning in Early Childhood

Author : Kateri Thunder
Publisher : Corwin Press
ISBN 13 : 1071825704
Total Pages : 280 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (718 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Visible Learning in Early Childhood by : Kateri Thunder

Download or read book Visible Learning in Early Childhood written by Kateri Thunder and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2021-09-13 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Make learning visible in the early years Early childhood is a uniquely sensitive time, when young learners are rapidly developing across multiple domains, including language and literacy, mathematics, and motor skills. Knowing which teaching strategies work best and when can have a significant impact on a child’s development and future success. Visible Learning in Early Childhood investigates the critical years between ages 3 and 6 and, backed by evidence from the Visible Learning® research, explores seven core strategies for learning success: working together as evaluators, setting high expectations, measuring learning with explicit success criteria, establishing developmentally appropriate levels of learning, viewing mistakes as opportunities, continually seeking feedback, and balancing surface, deep, and transfer learning. The authors unpack the symbiotic relationship between these seven tenets through Authentic examples of diverse learners and settings Voices of master teachers from the US, UK, and Australia Multiple assessment and differentiation strategies Multidisciplinary approaches depicting mathematics, literacy, art and music, social-emotional learning, and more Using the Visible Learning research, teachers partner with children to encourage high expectations, developmentally appropriate practices, the right level of challenge, and a focus on explicit success criteria. Get started today and watch your young learners thrive!

Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated)

Download Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated) PDF Online Free

Author : Naeyc
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781938113956
Total Pages : 400 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (139 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated) by : Naeyc

Download or read book Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated) written by Naeyc and published by . This book was released on 2021-08 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The long-awaited new edition of NAEYC's book Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs is here, fully revised and updated! Since the first edition in 1987, it has been an essential resource for the early childhood education field. Early childhood educators have a professional responsibility to plan and implement intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote the social and emotional development, physical development and health, cognitive development, and general learning competencies of each child served. But what is developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)? DAP is a framework designed to promote young children's optimal learning and development through a strengths-based approach to joyful, engaged learning. As educators make decisions to support each child's learning and development, they consider what they know about (1) commonality in children's development and learning, (2) each child as an individual (within the context of their family and community), and (3) everything discernible about the social and cultural contexts for each child, each educator, and the program as a whole. This latest edition of the book is fully revised to underscore the critical role social and cultural contexts play in child development and learning, including new research about implicit bias and teachers' own context and consideration of advances in neuroscience. Educators implement developmentally appropriate practice by recognizing the many assets all young children bring to the early learning program as individuals and as members of families and communities. They also develop an awareness of their own context. Building on each child's strengths, educators design and implement learning settings to help each child achieve their full potential across all domains of development and across all content areas.

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309324882
Total Pages : 587 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (93 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 by : National Research Council

Download or read book Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-07-23 with total page 587 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Eager to Learn

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309068363
Total Pages : 464 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Eager to Learn by : National Research Council

Download or read book Eager to Learn written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2001-01-22 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Clearly babies come into the world remarkably receptive to its wonders. Their alertness to sights, sounds, and even abstract concepts makes them inquisitive explorersâ€"and learnersâ€"every waking minute. Well before formal schooling begins, children's early experiences lay the foundations for their later social behavior, emotional regulation, and literacy. Yet, for a variety of reasons, far too little attention is given to the quality of these crucial years. Outmoded theories, outdated facts, and undersized budgets all play a part in the uneven quality of early childhood programs throughout our country. What will it take to provide better early education and care for our children between the ages of two and five? Eager to Learn explores this crucial question, synthesizing the newest research findings on how young children learn and the impact of early learning. Key discoveries in how young children learn are reviewed in language accessible to parents as well as educators: findings about the interplay of biology and environment, variations in learning among individuals and children from different social and economic groups, and the importance of health, safety, nutrition and interpersonal warmth to early learning. Perhaps most significant, the book documents how very early in life learning really begins. Valuable conclusions and recommendations are presented in the areas of the teacher-child relationship, the organization and content of curriculum, meeting the needs of those children most at risk of school failure, teacher preparation, assessment of teaching and learning, and more. The book discusses: Evidence for competing theories, models, and approaches in the field and a hard look at some day-to-day practices and activities generally used in preschool. The role of the teacher, the importance of peer interactions, and other relationships in the child's life. Learning needs of minority children, children with disabilities, and other special groups. Approaches to assessing young children's learning for the purposes of policy decisions, diagnosis of educational difficulties, and instructional planning. Preparation and continuing development of teachers. Eager to Learn presents a comprehensive, coherent picture of early childhood learning, along with a clear path toward improving this important stage of life for all children.

Handbook of Early Childhood Education

Author : Robert C. Pianta
Publisher : Guilford Publications
ISBN 13 : 1462523730
Total Pages : 656 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (625 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Handbook of Early Childhood Education by : Robert C. Pianta

Download or read book Handbook of Early Childhood Education written by Robert C. Pianta and published by Guilford Publications. This book was released on 2015-08-12 with total page 656 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Comprehensive and authoritative, this forward-thinking book reviews the breadth of current knowledge about early education and identifies important priorities for practice and policy. Robert C. Pianta and his associates bring together foremost experts to examine what works in promoting all children's school readiness and social-emotional development in preschool and the primary grades. Exemplary programs, instructional practices, and professional development initiatives?and the systems needed to put them into place?are described. The volume presents cutting-edge findings on the family and social context of early education and explores ways to strengthen collaboration between professionals and parents.

Twelve Best Practices for Early Childhood Education

Author : Ann Lewin-Benham
Publisher : Teachers College Press
ISBN 13 : 0807771392
Total Pages : 225 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (77 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Twelve Best Practices for Early Childhood Education by : Ann Lewin-Benham

Download or read book Twelve Best Practices for Early Childhood Education written by Ann Lewin-Benham and published by Teachers College Press. This book was released on 2015-04-24 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Popular author Ann Lewin-Benham draws on her experience with the Reggio Approach to present 12 "best practices" inspired not only by Reggio, but also by play-based and Montessori approaches to early childhood education. These practices are demonstrated, one per chapter, with scenarios from classrooms, dialogues of children and teachers, and work samples showing the outcome of using each practice. This resource includes a self-assessment tool to assist you in examining your practices and those of your school.

Professional and Ethical Consideration for Early Childhood Leaders

Author : Cunningham, Denise D.
Publisher : IGI Global
ISBN 13 : 1799850900
Total Pages : 417 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (998 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Professional and Ethical Consideration for Early Childhood Leaders by : Cunningham, Denise D.

Download or read book Professional and Ethical Consideration for Early Childhood Leaders written by Cunningham, Denise D. and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2020-06-19 with total page 417 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Early childhood educators are keenly aware of the importance of a child’s transition to “real school.” This transition is occurring earlier in a child’s life now that school districts nationwide are moving to pre-kindergarten experiences for 3- and 4-year olds. Annually, more than one million children attend public school pre-k programs overseen by elementary school principals who, although veteran educational leaders, were not trained to oversee these programs. Although pre-k classrooms are rapidly growing and deserve special attention, school leaders must be reminded that early childhood means more than pre-kindergarten; it extends through third grade. School leadership needs to understand the principles of early childhood education to effectively support all children age three to grade three. Professional and Ethical Consideration for Early Childhood Leaders is a collection of innovative research that crafts an overall understanding of the importance of early childhood leadership in today’s schools. The book employs strategies to improve support for children in early childhood years, examines the different roles of early childhood leadership, analyzes best practices for implementation in early childhood contexts, and explores improvements for leadership preparation for schools with pre-k through third-grade children. While highlighting a wide range of topics including advocacy, cultural responses, and professional development, this publication is ideally designed for educators, administrators, principals, early childhood development teachers, daycare instructors, curriculum developers, advocates, researchers, academicians, and students.

Early Childhood Assessment

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309314429
Total Pages : 501 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (93 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Early Childhood Assessment by : National Research Council

Download or read book Early Childhood Assessment written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2008-12-21 with total page 501 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The assessment of young children's development and learning has recently taken on new importance. Private and government organizations are developing programs to enhance the school readiness of all young children, especially children from economically disadvantaged homes and communities and children with special needs. Well-planned and effective assessment can inform teaching and program improvement, and contribute to better outcomes for children. This book affirms that assessments can make crucial contributions to the improvement of children's well-being, but only if they are well designed, implemented effectively, developed in the context of systematic planning, and are interpreted and used appropriately. Otherwise, assessment of children and programs can have negative consequences for both. The value of assessments therefore requires fundamental attention to their purpose and the design of the larger systems in which they are used. Early Childhood Assessment addresses these issues by identifying the important outcomes for children from birth to age 5 and the quality and purposes of different techniques and instruments for developmental assessments.

Early Childhood Matters

Author : Kathy Sylva
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1135189862
Total Pages : 280 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (351 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Early Childhood Matters by : Kathy Sylva

Download or read book Early Childhood Matters written by Kathy Sylva and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2010-01-04 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The editors, particularly Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Kathy Sylva and Ted Melhuish, are extremely well respected authorities in their field The results of this genuinely ground-breaking study are eagerly awaited by many researchers in this area Includes clear implications of the study for practice and ensuring educational effectiveness Education for All (Richard Pring) is based on the Primary version of this study, so the two books can be promoted together

The Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030921937X
Total Pages : 224 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (92 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis The Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce by : National Research Council

Download or read book The Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2012-02-10 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings offer an opportunity to provide children with a solid beginning in all areas of their development. The quality and efficacy of these settings depend largely on the individuals within the ECCE workforce. Policy makers need a complete picture of ECCE teachers and caregivers in order to tackle the persistent challenges facing this workforce. The IOM and the National Research Council hosted a workshop to describe the ECCE workforce and outline its parameters. Speakers explored issues in defining and describing the workforce, the marketplace of ECCE, the effects of the workforce on children, the contextual factors that shape the workforce, and opportunities for strengthening ECCE as a profession.

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education

Author : Donna Couchenour
Publisher : SAGE Publications
ISBN 13 : 1506353177
Total Pages : 3270 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (63 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education by : Donna Couchenour

Download or read book The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education written by Donna Couchenour and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2016-03-15 with total page 3270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The general public often views early childhood education as either simply “babysitting” or as preparation for later learning. Of course, both viewpoints are simplistic. Deep understanding of child development, best educational practices based on development, emergent curriculum, cultural competence and applications of family systems are necessary for high-quality early education. Highly effective early childhood education is rare in that it requires collaboration and transitions among a variety of systems for children from birth through eight years of age. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education presents in three comprehensive volumes advanced research, accurate practical applications of research, historical foundations and key facts from the field of contemporary early childhood education. Through approximately 425 entries, this work includes all areas of child development – physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, aesthetic – as well as comprehensive review of best educational practices with young children, effective preparation for early childhood professionals and policy making practices, and addresses such questions as: · How is the field of early childhood education defined? · What are the roots of this field of study? · How is the history of early childhood education similar to yet different from the study of public education? · What are the major influences on understandings of best practices in early childhood education?

How People Learn II

Author : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309459672
Total Pages : 347 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis How People Learn II by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book How People Learn II written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2018-09-27 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are many reasons to be curious about the way people learn, and the past several decades have seen an explosion of research that has important implications for individual learning, schooling, workforce training, and policy. In 2000, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School: Expanded Edition was published and its influence has been wide and deep. The report summarized insights on the nature of learning in school-aged children; described principles for the design of effective learning environments; and provided examples of how that could be implemented in the classroom. Since then, researchers have continued to investigate the nature of learning and have generated new findings related to the neurological processes involved in learning, individual and cultural variability related to learning, and educational technologies. In addition to expanding scientific understanding of the mechanisms of learning and how the brain adapts throughout the lifespan, there have been important discoveries about influences on learning, particularly sociocultural factors and the structure of learning environments. How People Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures provides a much-needed update incorporating insights gained from this research over the past decade. The book expands on the foundation laid out in the 2000 report and takes an in-depth look at the constellation of influences that affect individual learning. How People Learn II will become an indispensable resource to understand learning throughout the lifespan for educators of students and adults.

Early Childhood Education

Author : Petr G. Grotewell
Publisher : Nova Publishers
ISBN 13 : 9781604563795
Total Pages : 302 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (637 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Early Childhood Education by : Petr G. Grotewell

Download or read book Early Childhood Education written by Petr G. Grotewell and published by Nova Publishers. This book was released on 2008 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This book focuses on early childhood education which spans the human life from birth to age 8. Infants and toddlers experience life more holistically than any other age group. Social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical lessons are not learned separately by very young children. Adults who are most helpful to young children interact in ways that understand that the child is learning from the whole experience, not just that part of the experience to which the adult gives attention. Although early childhood education does not have to occur in the absence of the parent or primary caregiver, this term is sometimes used to denote education by someone other than these the parent or primary caregiver. Both research in the field and early childhood educators view the parents as an integral part of the early childhood education process. Early childhood education takes many forms depending on the theoretical and educational beliefs of the educator or parent. Other terms that is often used interchangeably with "early childhood education" are "early childhood learning", "early care" and "early education". Much of the first two years of life are spent in the creation of a child's first "sense of self" or the building of a first identity. Because this is a crucial part of children's makeup-how they first see themselves, how they think they should function, how they expect others to function in relation to them, early care must ensure that in addition to carefully selected and trained caregivers, links with family, home culture, and home language are a central part of program policy. If care becomes a substitute for, rather than a support of, family, children may develop a less-than-positive sense of who they are and where they come from because of their child care experience.

Principals as Early Learning Leaders

Author : Julie Nicholson
Publisher : Teachers College Press
ISBN 13 : 0807779989
Total Pages : 271 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (77 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Principals as Early Learning Leaders by : Julie Nicholson

Download or read book Principals as Early Learning Leaders written by Julie Nicholson and published by Teachers College Press. This book was released on 2021 with total page 271 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The majority of public school principals are now required to supervise and evaluate early childhood teachers and classrooms, yet many do not have a sufficient understanding of child development and early childhood pedagogy to lead for equity. This practical and comprehensive resource addresses this critical gap by presenting current research on child development, an understanding of the elements of high-quality early childhood classrooms, essential information on trauma-responsive practices, and strategies for reducing bias and preventing the use of exclusionary discipline with young children. School leaders learn about the pivotal role they can play in improving equity for young children, their families, and the early childhood workforce. Each chapter includes key take-aways and central questions that can be used for individual reflection or to guide group discussions. Authentic examples, illustrations, and actionable strategies help readers to successfully implement the content in their school. Principals as Early Learning Leaders is essential reading for principals, vice principals, administrators, and others responsible for leading preschool and pre–K programs for equity. Book Features: Supports elementary school principals to better understand the role early education plays in their school.Addresses essential issues of equity in all aspects of early learning programs that require focus and leadership.Provides current research and practical strategies that principals can put into practice immediately to be effective instructional leaders. Uses authentic examples and vignettes throughout to help readers see the ideas in the context of real preschool classrooms. Includes reflection questions and key takeaways to help principals think about how the information presented can inform the work they do.

Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education

Author : Sue Bredekamp
Publisher : Pearson
ISBN 13 : 0134026772
Total Pages : 609 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (34 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education by : Sue Bredekamp

Download or read book Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education written by Sue Bredekamp and published by Pearson. This book was released on 2016-01-28 with total page 609 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Early childhood authority, Sue Bredekamp, designed Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation to prepare a new generation of teachers who can make a difference in children’s lives and education. Written with a clear and engaging presentation, this intriguing text provides the building blocks for understanding developmentally appropriate, effective practices in early childhood education. Bredekamp shows how effective teaching practices can make a difference in the lives of young children by focusing on three key themes: intentional teaching, challenging and interesting curriculum, and evidence-based, effective practices. The Third Edition is updated with the latest research impacting policy and practice to help teachers thrive in the dynamic field of early education.

Funds of Knowledge

Author : Norma Gonzalez
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1135614059
Total Pages : 332 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (356 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Funds of Knowledge by : Norma Gonzalez

Download or read book Funds of Knowledge written by Norma Gonzalez and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2006-04-21 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The concept of "funds of knowledge" is based on a simple premise: people are competent and have knowledge, and their life experiences have given them that knowledge. The claim in this book is that first-hand research experiences with families allow one to document this competence and knowledge, and that such engagement provides many possibilities for positive pedagogical actions. Drawing from both Vygotskian and neo-sociocultural perspectives in designing a methodology that views the everyday practices of language and action as constructing knowledge, the funds of knowledge approach facilitates a systematic and powerful way to represent communities in terms of the resources they possess and how to harness them for classroom teaching. This book accomplishes three objectives: It gives readers the basic methodology and techniques followed in the contributors' funds of knowledge research; it extends the boundaries of what these researchers have done; and it explores the applications to classroom practice that can result from teachers knowing the communities in which they work. In a time when national educational discourses focus on system reform and wholesale replicability across school sites, this book offers a counter-perspective stating that instruction must be linked to students' lives, and that details of effective pedagogy should be linked to local histories and community contexts. This approach should not be confused with parent participation programs, although that is often a fortuitous consequence of the work described. It is also not an attempt to teach parents "how to do school" although that could certainly be an outcome if the parents so desired. Instead, the funds of knowledge approach attempts to accomplish something that may be even more challenging: to alter the perceptions of working-class or poor communities by viewing their households primarily in terms of their strengths and resources, their defining pedagogical characteristics. Funds of Knowledge: Theorizing Practices in Households, Communities, and Classrooms is a critically important volume for all teachers and teachers-to-be, and for researchers and graduate students of language, culture, and education.