Behaving Together in the Classroom, a Teacher's Guide to Nurturing Behaviour

Book excerpt: Behaving Together provides teachers with frameworks and processes to help them identify, understand and support the issues children bring to the classroom. Using a clear five step formula, the book explores the perspectives of children, to guide teachers as they support them within the school environment. The book explores the nature of emotional health and well-being and the real implications of this on the way children are seen to act within the school. Rather than punishing unwanted behaviour, the book begins with the assumption that behaviour is our innate form of communication, that should be supported rather than controlled. It recognises the network of relationships within a school’s community and provides helpful resources to support a child’s inclusion in school life, including: •Case studies highlighting the potential complexities of children’s lives •Perspectives on a range of educational contexts, including Pupil Referral Units and schools outside the mainstream •Clear definitions explaining common technical or medical jargon •Reflection points to develop teaching practice and confidence Behaving Together is a key reflective tool for teachers and those interested in the pastoral care of children. "This book is full of practical strategies outlining collaborative approaches to supporting positive behaviours." Cath Kitchen, BSc, MSc, NPQH, NLE, CEO of The Skylark Partnership "Reading it would make any mainstream teacher a better professional. I felt cleansed by it." Phil Beadle, Teacher and Author "Drawing on her substantial experience of working in Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Provision, Sarah Dove provides a helpful and wide-ranging overview of the factors - personal and organisational - that can affect pupils' behaviour." Steve Waters Founder and Director: Teach Well Alliance Sarah Dove is an experienced educator and industry leader with over eighteen years of teaching experience. Her specialist experience in Pupil Referral Units, in-patient psychiatric services, care homes and hospital schools has enabled her to support mainstream schools and local authorities to support children and reduce exclusions. Behaving Together in the Classroom has been shortlisted for the NASEN Award for Publication and the BESA Educational Book Award!