Educational pioneers believed that the early childhood curriculum was inappropriate for most of the children. It needed to be modified to meet each child's maturing needs, abilities, and interests. The pioneers advocated that education should be more hands-on and assist children to function successfully in society. They recommended the initiation…

This paper provides a review of oracy in primary education (5-11) in England. It discusses the nature of talk, acknowledging it as integral to the learning and teaching process and traces the history and development of the place of oracy within the curriculum. The article provides a critique of related policy initiatives including various…

Draws upon observations of children at home and at school in order to consider the messages conveyed by different styles of adult/child interaction and to make suggestions concerning curriculum organization. Calls for a fundamental re-examination of what it means to be a teacher. (RH)

Examines understanding of the British National Curriculum for English at Key Stage 2. Surveys literature and teachers' experiences to determine what primary teachers understand by English subject knowledge, how they think it should be taught, and how they think pupils learn English most effectively. Considers definition of basic skills and the…