The Craft of the Classroom - Michael Marland

For many practising teachers as well as for students in training, there is a pressing need for a handbook on the management of the secondary (and middle-school) classroom – a ‘survival guide, in fact. Whatever the subject, the abilities of the pupils, the teaching approach, or the philosophy of the school, every teacher knows that he or she must create a sound discipline, work out an

effective learning procedure, and establish good relationships with the pupils.

Many teachers have searched in vain for a really practical book to help them.

Michael Marland is unusually well qualified to undertake such a difficult and important assignment and the book is full of practical suggestions for classroom techniques, underpinned with theoretical arguments (where relevant). Michael Marland describes first how to work towards good classroom relationships; he then deals in detail with the environment of the classroom; with records, registers, and reports; the conventions and routines of the classroom; the teacher’s performance; the rhythm of teaching; and ways of preparing oneself.

There are few teachers who will fail to find points of interest and encouragement in this book. Heads and Heads of Departments will find it valuable for inservice training, for both streamed and mixed-ability situations. The book’s recurrent theme is that the finest educational ideals will fail unless classroom conditions are effective, and that means good planning, technique, and organization – the craft of the classroom.