Perfect Assessment for Learning (Perfect series) - Hardcover

Claire Gadsby

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1781350027 ISBN 13: 9781781350027

Publisher: Independent Thinking Press an imprint of Crown House Publishing, 2012

Synopsis

Too much valuable teacher time is devoted to the kind of marking and feedback which does little to improve pupils' learning. This easy to read, practical guide introduces a range of innovative and practical strategies and top tips to ensure that assessment genuinely is for learning. A simple how to guide for implementing sustainable Assessment for Learning in your school.

About this title

Review

Claire`s book provides us with a very thorough and clear explanation of AfL and puts it well and truly at the heart of school improvement in terms of developing outstanding teaching and learning. Perfect Assessment for Learning is full of practical, fun and imaginative ways of engaging students and teachers in the learning process. The top tips sections are bursting with a wide range of strategies which are easy to implement and establish as routine practice in the classroom. What is very striking about the book is how important the relationship between the teacher and the learner is. Knowing precisely where our strengths and weaknesses lie as teachers and learners is so important and the more we know in this respect I believe the better the learning and progress will be. I particularly liked the suggestion that effective feedback should be two- way. Asking the students to feedback more regularly on my teaching will be something that I will definitely try, I think I might call it knowing me, knowing you . I am sure that anyone who is interested in improving learning in their classrooms and schools will find this a stimulating, practical and very effective resource. --Linda Dawson, Deputy Head Teacher, The Bemrose School, Derby

Claire Gadsby`s little book is not only crammed with practical wisdom and easy-to-use ideas, but also acknowledges the `why` of AfL. Too many teachers happily use lolly sticks and traffic lights without really having the slightest idea as to how these strategies will impact on tomorrow s lesson. This simple, straightforward and easy-to-digest book reminds us of our responsibility as teachers to ensure that students are making progress and then sends us on our way with a staggering array of inventive learning tools to put the message into practice. An essential addition to the Perfect series: recommended. --David Didau, Director of Learning and Literacy, Clevedon School

This is an excellent and practical book which should be readily available for use by all staff in schools - senior managers and the teaching and learning coaches team in particular. Used well, Claire Gadsby`s practical ideas will enhance teaching and learning. Assessment for learning as Claire describes it should be like a golden thread , pulling together effective lesson planning, clear objectives, chunking up the lesson tasks, and ending with an in depth plenary. This consistency across the school is what ultimately moves a school from good to outstanding. Assessment for learning is not an add-on or something a teacher embraces when being observed. Indeed prior to being given this label, AfL was what all good teachers did naturally to check on learning. Formalising AfL consistently across a school and using some of Claire s many and various ideas to embed good practice will make a difference to learning outcomes. The opportunities for students to reflect on their learning in pairs, groups, or as individuals to help capture and reinforce learning should not be missed. Used well AfL should underpin the school ethos and practice, being used not just in classrooms but in assemblies, pastoral meetings, corridor conversations and as part of restorative justice approaches. Claire gives readers opportunities to consider where the school is in respect of AfL as well as some great ideas and pedagogical tips in relation to embedding good learning. This book should not be on a shelf in school libraries but on the desk of every teacher. --Mo Laycock OBE, former Head Teacher (1995 2010), Firth Park Community Arts College, Sheffield

Claire Gadsby`s little book is not only crammed with practical wisdom and easy-to-use ideas, but also acknowledges the `why` of AfL. Too many teachers happily use lolly sticks and traffic lights without really having the slightest idea as to how these strategies will impact on tomorrow s lesson. This simple, straightforward and easy-to-digest book reminds us of our responsibility as teachers to ensure that students are making progress and then sends us on our way with a staggering array of inventive learning tools to put the message into practice. An essential addition to the Perfect series: recommended. --David Didau, Director of Learning and Literacy, Clevedon School

This is an excellent and practical book which should be readily available for use by all staff in schools - senior managers and the teaching and learning coaches team in particular. Used well, Claire Gadsby`s practical ideas will enhance teaching and learning. Assessment for learning as Claire describes it should be like a golden thread , pulling together effective lesson planning, clear objectives, chunking up the lesson tasks, and ending with an in depth plenary. This consistency across the school is what ultimately moves a school from good to outstanding. Assessment for learning is not an add-on or something a teacher embraces when being observed. Indeed prior to being given this label, AfL was what all good teachers did naturally to check on learning. Formalising AfL consistently across a school and using some of Claire s many and various ideas to embed good practice will make a difference to learning outcomes. The opportunities for students to reflect on their learning in pairs, groups, or as individuals to help capture and reinforce learning should not be missed. Used well AfL should underpin the school ethos and practice, being used not just in classrooms but in assemblies, pastoral meetings, corridor conversations and as part of restorative justice approaches. Claire gives readers opportunities to consider where the school is in respect of AfL as well as some great ideas and pedagogical tips in relation to embedding good learning. This book should not be on a shelf in school libraries but on the desk of every teacher. --Mo Laycock OBE, former Head Teacher (1995 2010), Firth Park Community Arts College, Sheffield

From the Back Cover

Perfect Assessment for Learning takes the busy teacher through a range of
strategies to ensure that assessment, progress and learning are inextricably linked.
"Perfect Assessment for Learning provides us with a very
thorough and clear explanation of Afl and puts it well and truly at the heart of school improvement in terms of developing outstanding teaching and learning. I am sure that anyone who is interested in improving learning in their classrooms and schools will find this a stimulating, practical and very effective resource."
Linda Dawson, Deputy Head Teacher, The Bemrose School, Derby
"This simple, straightforward and easy to digest book reminds us of our responsibility as teachers to ensure that students are making progress and then sends us on our way with a staggering array of inventive learning tools to put the message into practice. An essential addition to the Perfect series: recommended."
David Didau, Director of Learning and Literacy at Clevedon School
"This is an excellent and practical book which should be readily available for use by all staff in schools - senior managers and the teaching and learning coaches team in particular. Used well, Claire Gadsby's practical ideas will enhance teaching and learning."
Mo Laycock OBE, Former Head Teacher
Claire Gadsby is a freelance education consultant, trainer and keynote speaker. She has more than 15 years of teaching experience and was head of English at her last school. She prides herself on being very close to the realities of life in the classroom and regularly team-teaches or delivers demonstration lessons for teachers to observe and critique.

Edition details

• Publisher: Independent Thinking Press an imprint of Crown House Publishing
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1781350027
• ISBN 13: 9781781350027
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128
• Editor: Jackie Beere