An invaluable resource.

Teaching assistants play a key role in children's learning and a vital part in the school team. This handbook will help them in their day-to-day work with children in primary schools, providing an overview of key teaching and learning issues, as well as helping them to develop personally and professionally.

The authors have written this book as a practical, up-to-date guide offering teaching assistants an understanding of their role and useful strategies they can employ to help children learn. It combines underpinning theoretical knowledge and practical classroom ideas which help teaching assistants develop their skills and abilities. Self-assessment activities are included throughout to help teaching assistants reflect on what they do and why they do it, and there is clear guidance on ways of improving practice.

Teaching assistants play a key role in children's learning and a vital part in the school team. This course book will be useful to teaching assistants who are studying for higher education qualifications such as a Foundation Degree. The book will help teaching assistants in their day-to-day work with children in primary schools, providing an overview of key teaching and learning issues, as well as helping them to develop personally and professionally. The second edition of this successful book has been produced to reflect the introduction of Standards for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs). It will be ideal background reading for the assessment-only route to HLTA status. In addition, changes have been made in response to requests from tutors and students using the first edition.

Both authors work in the School of Education at the University of Leicester and have been involved in the training and professional development of teaching assistants for several years. Dr Rosemary Sage, Assistant Director of the Centre for Innovation in Research for Educational Achievement, runs a variety of LEA courses for teaching assistants around the country and Min Wilkie leads the Foundation Degree in Education Studies for Teaching Assistants at the University. Rosemary's teaching focuse is on special educational needs issues particularly those to do with communication, while Min specialises in literacy, mathematics, learning and teaching styles and cognitive development.

2003-10-11 Must-have for all assistants

After a long gap, I am returning to education and learning. This book is an excellent first reference for anyone who is studying towards Teaching Assistant Status (and beyond).

It's easy reading, putting information across to the reader in real terms. There is no jargon or unnecessary text to plough through and it is very easy to reference. I particularly liked the "Reflection Points" which helped to reiterate what you had read, analyse it and carry out your own tasks to learn from.