Book Reviews
Assessment for Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage
by
Jonathan Glazzard, Denise Chadwick, Anne Webster & Julie Percival
RRP £19.99
(Paperback published by Sage)
Available at all good book stores and also at www.sagepub.co.uk/education
As a Newly Qualified Teacher assessment for learning is an area which I am constantly reflecting upon. This book offers a good foundation to the fundamentals of assessment for learning. It focuses in detail on the role of the practitioner within assessment but also looks closely at the involvement of children and their parents and carers.
It begins by discussing various theoretical perspectives and invites you to reflect on your own practice in a number of areas. This is done by providing jargon free synopsis of different approaches and is therefore not overwhelming to read.
The book is broken down into helpful chunks. It discusses how assessment for learning can be incorporated throughout the EYFS setting and provides good ideas for collecting evidence. I particularly liked the whole chapter relating to listening to children themselves. This looked in detail at self and peer assessment and learning directly from the child, specifically the need to involve children within their own assessment.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is discussed in depth, breaking down the different profile points which relate to the six areas of learning. This chapter also suggests how evidence can be collected to help support these profile points.
Throughout the book, case studies are used to develop key questions, allowing you to reflect on your own practice. I found this particularly helpful when looking at the EYFS Profile as it enabled me to gain deeper understanding about the profile and how the profile exit scores can be used to look at attainment. There are also listings of useful websites at the end of each chapter.
This book is a good practice and idea guide to assessment for learning and would be particularly useful to students, teachers, teaching assistants and other Early Years Practitioners.
Review by Helen Woodland (Early Years Practitioners)
April 2010
