Book Club

 Cowne, E. ( 2008 ) The SENCO handbook: Working within a Whole School Approach lONDON: DAVID fULTON
The new 5th Edition of this very useful book is a good addition to any SENCo's book shelf. It introduces the key concepts and issues of SEN and inclusion and provides detailed information about developing whole school policy and practice. It manages to cover early years, primary , secondary and FE settings and continues to be an essential guide to the role of the Special Needs co-ordinator.

Available at www.routledge.com/teachers

I have read the book by J Clements and E Zarkowska "Behavioral Concerns and Autistic Spectrum Disorders Explanation and Strategies for Changes" published 2000. I reached for that book from the sentimental reasons:
firstly an author E Zarkowska is of Polish origin
secondly I attended a couple of lectures by J Clements and wanted to check if he can write as well as he can talk...
By the way both of them are long-time experienced researchers Mr Clements more then 30 years in the field of clinical research on how to cope with challenging behaviour.
For those who are not able to manage "kids behaving badly" a worth reading guide how to do so. It is of course first of all a book for those who teach autistic pupils as such but I think it can be interesting read for any teacher in inclusive classroom. Authors agree that all behavioral problems are consequence of teacher not knowing students and not recognizing the simple rule of cause and effect. Good guide how professionally and effectively cope with bad conduct.

 A new book entitled 'The Autistic Spectrum' by Jill Boucher
( 2009) London: Sage Publication
www.sagepublications.com

I think this is a really useful book for everyone as it manages to combine key basic info with some penetrating perspectives on the theoretical issues of what precisely is meant by ASC.
Enjoy dipping into it. Remember we need to read a lot so scan and skim!
Ruth

The Practical Guide to Special Educational Needs in Inclusive Primary Classrooms, By Richard Rose, Marie Howley
i read this book at the beginning on the masters programme, as coming from Pakistan where there is not much information about inclusive education, this book gave the basic information which helped me to start off with my masters. the book has some tips and examples on how to setup an inclusive classroom. the book helped me alot to understand the concepts and implimentation of inclusion in the classroom.

I agree that this book is a really enjoyable read and very useful for helping you to get some general background knowledge. Ruth

Reversing Lower Attainment by Diane Montgomery. Anthough this was published 10 years agso I found this to be a very relevant read and how much do things really change in 10 years. I particularly liked the section re Maths difficulties and how to overcome these. In all the literature we often seem to get back to the same points to establish excellent inclusion ie. appropriate curriculum, small groups, diagnostic assessment, flexibility, learning together and alleviating anxiety for the students. League tables and a target driven curriculum do not benefit the less able / student with SpLD.

Peta Griffiths

I agree the above book is very good the other book I have been reading and feel is very good is - Meeting Special Needs in Mainstream Schools by Richard Stakes and Garry Hornby. The second edition was published in 2001 but again it is still very relevant.

Pam Charlton

That sounds great! I've Encountered this book INCLUSION: A Service, Not a Place, A Whole School Approach
I found it interesting though I don't neccessarily think that A place like a Special School is bad or a negative option, especialy after I began working at a special school. Even the special schools can benefit from it's resources and reccomendations. I do believe as educators we are offering a service which should cater to the needs of the pupil and parents our clients.

A book that I have read is "working Towards Inclusive education by Peter Mittler". It is very easy to read and is useful as it has a section that takes into consideration the international perspective, especially the impact that poverty has on exclusion which is important for my research. It also incorporates case studies which gives practical examples from different countries.

Emma Brewster
SEN 2008

Hi I have just read "What really works in Special and Inclusive Education - Using evidence-based teaching strategies" by David Mitchell. I found the book really interesting and it gave me food for thought about how I include children in my class. It also gave an insight into the underlying ideas of different stategies and why they would work for children with SEN. I found the section on cooperative group teaching particulary interesting as trying to get learners to help each other is an area I am trying to work on within my class. What I liked about the book was it gave you ideas for how you as the teacher could implement the strategies in your classroom. The teaching strategies are also backed up by evidence that has a international perspective which in itself makes a good read.

LSN, Post 16 but much more on learning, professional development and other things especially a good retort to "learning styles"

https://www.lsneducation.org.uk/[…]/order.aspx?code=080052&src=XOWEB

Gary Thomas. (2009) How to do your research project. London Sage

Punch K F Research Methods in Education London. Sage.

Surprisngly good, well laid out

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/[…]/lawseq.htm


Not a book but nowhere else to put it.

It would be really good this year if you provide a short review of the books you recommend here.
 

The DCFS document - Personalised Learning - A Practical Guide might interest some of you. Available on
www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications

Bill Rogers has brought together a really practical gulide to managing behaviour - teachers tell their stories.
Rogers, B. 2009 How to Manage Children's Challenging Behaviour London:Sage Publications

http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc/default.asp
Cambridge Centre

I would highly recommend the following two books: -

How to manage Children's Challenging behaviour(2nd edition 2009) Bill Rogers. This is a very easy book to read with case studies from teachers own experiences and guidance on methods to use to support ESBD children in class.

Getting the Buggers to Behave (3rd Edition 2008) Sue Cowley.
This is another excellent book from an author with a wealth of knowledge on the subject of behaviour difficulties. Drawing from her own experience as a class teacher and using case studies from colleagues. I particularly liked the chapter on the students views on misbehaviour, gaining opinions from students that misbehave and those that do not.

Both books are very good and I feel should be available in all school staff room as a resource to support in different senarios.

Pam Charlton
SEBD - Sept 2009

I returned to this site after a while and found trasure trove of systematic reviews of the literature.

Go to
http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/Default.aspx?tabid=60


If there is one in your area they are must reads

Recommended and most helpful books for approaches to class room behaviour management.

Sutherland M and Sutherland C strategies for Changing Behaviour - a simple reference book to try to intervene in a damaging cycle of challenging behaviour.
 
Mackay, J. Coat of Many Pockets: Managing Classroom Interactions. engagingly written, it shows how to replace customary reactions with skilled responses that contain behaviour while engaging the student.

Ellis, S. & Tod, J. Behaviour for Learning: Proactive Approaches to Behaviour Management.
Helps teachers to decide what strategy is best for individuals with an awareness of the evidence/ theoretical base underpinning the strategy.

Shelton, F. & Brownhill, S. Effective Behaviour Management in the Primary Classroom
This book aims to assist the teacher to put aproaches into practice using case studies, reflective tasks and exmples from the classroom.