Synopses & Reviews
A Guidance Approach for the Encouraging Classroom, now out in its 4th edition, can function easily as a primary reference for professionals or in classes that address group management, the learning environment, child guidance, child behavior, challenging behavior, conflict management, and peace education topics. New enhancements to this edition include the concept of challenging behavior, active classrooms, practical discussions of conflict management, and many new anecdotes and case studies. The age range addressed in the text is 3-8 years (pre-school to primary grade) and the book is divided into three parts. Part one looks at explores the foundation of guidance in early childhood education and covers such key concepts as conventional discipline versus guidance, mistaken behavior, the guidance tradition, and innovative theories about child development with guidance. Part two focuses on building an encouraging classroom. The reader starts off learning about the organization of the encouraging classroom, as well as key elements of an encouraging classroom including daily schedule, routines, use of thematic instruction, and working with parents. Leadership communication is also addressed in this section, and focuses on the importance of communication with staff, children, and parents. Tips and techniques are shared. Part three addresses problem solving and challenging behavior in the encouraging classroom. It includes practical illustration for how to use and teach conflict management and covers the ?five-finger-formula.? Non-traditional families are covered and the effect of societal violence in the classroom is looked at, including bullying. This experience-based book that includes lots of real life anecdotes lends itself to learning and will allow the professional to make the shift from conventional classroom to developmentally appropriate guidance.
Review
My overall impression of the product is positve. In comparision to the Wheeler text that I used this past year, I am happier with the Guidance text by Gartrell. My students lack the understanding of the guidance tradition and the historical roots of the tradition are important for students to understand. Furthermore, I like the classroom application pieces in Chapters 5 and 6.
Review
The content and orgranization of the text correspond to our course syllabus. The author is clearly aware of current problems in our society and their effects upon children and their families. Dr. Gartrell is clear in his writing style and strives to use practical examples that are relevant to children and to classroom teachers. He includes material that is current and the chapter summaries are helpful to students.
Review
The text's greatest strength is that it takes a proactive stance to guidance not reactive and covers all areas that feed into an all-inclusive guidance program. It demonstrates that teachers can create a caring environment without the classroom becoming chaotic.
Synopsis
A GUIDANCE APPROACH FOR THE ENCOURAGING CLASSROOM, 5/E easily functions as a primary reference for professionals or in classes that address group management, the learning environment, child guidance, child behavior, challenging behavior, conflict management, and peace education topics. The book addresses ages 3-8 years in three parts. Part 1 explores the foundation of guidance in early childhood education and covers key concepts such as conventional discipline versus guidance, mistaken behavior, the guidance tradition, and innovative theories about child development with guidance. Part 2 focuses on building and organizing an encouraging classroom, as well as providing key elements of an encouraging classroom, including daily schedule, routines, use of thematic instruction, importance of working with parents, and leadership communication. Part 3 addresses problem solving and challenging behavior in the encouraging classroom, including a practical illustration for how to use and teach conflict management and coverage of the "five-finger-formula." The book also covers nontraditional families as well as the effects of societal violence in the classroom. Throughout, this experience-based resource includes tips, techniques, and real-life anecdotes that help professionals make the shift from conventional classroom to developmentally appropriate guidance.
About the Author
Dan Gartrell (PhD, University of North Dakota) is Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Director of the Child Development Training Program at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. As a teacher, CDA trainer, and student teaching supervisor, Dr. Gartrell has been working with students in early childhood for more than 30 years. His articles have been published in YOUNG CHILDREN and in the JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). In addition, he has been a presenter at more than 200 workshops, training sessions, and keynote sessions on guidance in early childhood education in eight states, Germany, and Mexico.
Table of Contents
Part I: FOUNDATIONS OF A GUIDANCE APPROACH. 1. The Guidance Tradition. 2. Child Development and Guidance. 3. Mistaken Behavior: Understanding Childhood Aggression and Challenging Children. 4. Guidance in the Classroom. Part II: CREATING THE ENCOURAGING CLASSROOM. 5. Organizing the Encouraging Classroom. 6. Managing the Encouraging Classroom. 7. Leadership Communication with the Group. 8. Leadership Communication with the Individual. Part III: SOLVING PROBLEMS IN THE ENCOURAGING CLASSROOM. 9. Conflict Management. 10. Problem-Solving Mistaken Behavior. 11. Guidance through Intervention. 12. Liberation Teaching: A Guidance Response to Violence in Society.