The following is a description of three related books by Keith Topping and Judi Bamford (with Tiny Arora, Anne Mallinson & Kay Shanahan). These descriptions were provided by Keith Topping.
The three books are directed principally at primary and secondary teachers and those who train, support, assess and manage teachers. Researchers and policy developers in education will also find interest in this book. Parents will also undoubtedly be interested, but may find the more immediately practical Handbooks more appealing.
Paired Maths is a system for parents, peers and other non- professional tutors to interact with primary or secondary aged children using selected structured mathematical games (unlike ordinary schoolwork or "games" from commercial maths schemes). The aim is to consolidate and deepen maths understanding and generalise problem solving skills out of the classroom into "real-life" community settings (while still maintaining linkage to National Curriculum or other prescribed attainment targets), as well as increasing enjoyment, motivation and confidence in all partners.
Paired Science is a parallel system for science, except instead of games the interaction is guided by a series of "Activity Sheets." These outline suggested activities, list the simple materials needed, and give instructions for children and advice for helpers.
This more detailed background text has a main focus on the Paired Maths method, which has a longer history and wider research than the more recent Paired Science work. However, much of the rationale and many of the organisational issues and possible applications are common to both, and the implications for Paired Science are also explored throughout the book. It seeks to give readers sufficient organisational detail to enable them not only to replicate but also creatively to extend the Paired Maths and Paired Science approaches successfully. Co-ordinators of parent involvement or peer tutoring projects and maths and science specialists or co-ordinators will find this book essential reading. Related international developments, relevant background theory and effectiveness research are reviewed in an accessible way, leading directly to implications for action. Extension of the methods to more challenging target groups with special needs is also described.
CONTENTS:
Preface; 1 Introduction, Rationale and Development; 2 Materials:
Selecting and Creating Maths Games; 3 Organising Parental Involvement
in Maths and Science; 4 Evaluating Paired Maths and Science: Research
Findings; 5 Evaluating Paired Maths and Science: How To; 6 Co-
operative Learning/Peer Tutoring in the Maths Classroom; 7 Cross-
School Peer Tutoring in Maths for Special Needs; 8 Conclusions and
Future Directions; References.
Appendices - Further Information & Resources: 1 Details of Paired Maths Project Games: Levels 1, 2 & 3; 2 List of Suppliers of Games & other useful addresses; 3 List of Books of Games; 4 List of Software Suppliers; 5 List of Websites; 6 Parents Mathematical Library - Bibliography; 7 Further Reading for Professionals.
Cost: stlg12.99 paperback, c. 112 large format pages, ISBN 1-85346-541-O
About the authors: Keith Topping is Director of the Centre for Paired Learning and Director of the M.Sc. in Educational Psychology at the University of Dundee. He previously directed the Kirklees Paired Learning Project and is widely known as a trainer, researcher, writer and lecturer with specialisms in parent and peer tutoring and disruptive behaviour. He has created a number of multi-media in-service training and distance learning packages and written 13 books and over 100 articles. Judi Bamford is Principal Educational Psychologist for the Kirklees local education authority in West Yorkshire, where she has many years of experience of running Paired Maths projects. She is currently engaged in research on innovation in education and the effectiveness of inservice training, with particular reference to the development of Paired Maths.
CONTENTS:
Section A - Introduction to Paired Maths: Rationale and Development;
Materials; Organising Parental Involvement; Evaluation Evidence;
Evaluating Paired Maths.
Section B - Resources for Setting Up Paired Maths (Reproducible): Organisational Checklist; "What To Do" Parent Leaflet; "Further Hints" Parent Leaflet; Diary and Language Cards; Games Loan Record Chart; Core Mathematical Vocabulary; Parent Evaluation Questionnaire; Teacher Evaluation Questionnaire; Extended Joint Evaluation Questionnaire for Children, Parents and Peers; Feelings Questionnaire for Paired Maths in Class with Peers; National Curriculum Linkage, Level 1; National Curriculum Linkage, Level 3.
Section C - Maths Games (Reproducible): Over 80 Level 3 maths games, categorised by area (e.g. Number, Space, Strategy), with reproducible game boards, clear instructions and notes of other simple materials needed (e.g. playing pieces, counters).
Cost: stlg 13.99 paperback, c. 112 A4 pages, ISBN 1-85346-497-X
CONTENTS:
Section A - Introduction to Paired Science: What is Science?;
Parental Involvement; Early Initiatives; The Structure of Paired
Science; Evaluation - Case Studies; Future Directions; References.
Section B - Resources for Setting Up Paired Science (Reproducible): Parent Leaflet; Paired Science Equipment List; Paired Science Activity Sheet List; Activity Sheet Record Chart; Paired Science Keywords: Scientific Language - (a) keywords per activity sheet, (b) keywords by frequency; Note on Evaluation, Evaluation Feedback Questionnaire.
Section C - The 45 Paired Science Activity Sheets (Reproducible): A1- A6 Air; M1-M6 Magnets; MT1-MT6 Moving Things; L1-L7 Light; H1-H6 Heat; MY1-MY7 Myself; W1-W7 Water.
Cost: stlg12.99 paperback, c. 96 A4 pages, ISBN 1-85346-500-3
All three books are published as follows: London: David Fulton; Bristol PA: Taylor & Francis (February 1998)
In the UK & Europe, direct enquiries to David Fulton Publishers, PO Box 13057, London, WC1N 3HY, tel 0171 405 5606; fax 0171 831 4840; email fultonbooks@mail.easynet.co.uk.
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