Re-presenting the ‘forgotten estate’: participatory theatre,place and community identity

In this article, we discuss the work undertaken in the first phase of a participatory theatre project which took place on a council housing estate in the Midlands of England, in which residents were invited to share their memories for a production which would present the history of the estate. This community is often characterised as deficient, ageing, welfare-oriented, low in educational attainment and aspiration. Interviews and field notes suggest that there was not a great amount of hope within the community for the success of a participatory arts project such as this. However, the performance attracted a large number of participants who performed to full houses over five nights. Using a place-based approach, we argue that a model of open participation led to the presentation of alternative, more positive, narratives of this community as a place to live.     

Peabody bimonthly booknotes

Behind the Iron Curtain. Joseph S. Roucek and Kenneth V. Lottich. (Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, 1964. Pp. 631. $8.95.)

Year‐Round Education. Clarence A. Schoenfield and Neil Schmitz. (Madison, Wisconsin: Dembar Educational Research Services, 1964. Pp. 111. $3.00, paper.)

The University of Kentucky: The Maturing Years. Charles Gano Talbert. (Lexington, Kentucky: University of Kentucky Press, 1965. Pp. 208. $5.00.)

Montessori for Parents. Dorothy Canfield Fisher. (Cambridge, Mass.: Robert Bentley, Inc., 1965. Pp. 240. $5.95.)

The Montessori Manual for Teachers and Parents. Dorothy Canfield Fisher. (Cambridge, Mass.: Robert Bentley, Inc., 1965. Pp. 126. $5.00.)

The Montessori Elementary Material. Maria Montessori. (Cambridge, Mass.: Robert Bentley, Inc., 1964. Pp. 464. $8.50.)

The Montessori Method. Maria Montessori. (Cambridge, Mass.: Robert Bentley, Inc., 1964. Pp. 377. $6.50.)

Spontaneous Activity in Education. Maria Montessori. (Cambridge, Mass.: Robert Bentley, Inc., 1964. Pp. 355. $6.50.)

The Concepts of Over‐and‐Underachievement. Robert L. Thorndike. (New York: Bureau of Publications, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1963. Pp. 79. $3.25.)

Handbook of Research on Teaching. N. S. Gage, editor. (Chicago: Rand McNally, 1963. Pp. 1218. $15.00.)     

Gaining a future through self‐understanding

Mertens states that teachers should be trained in enrichment education not gifted education, and that the traditional school curriculum could be stretched to serve the needs of the gifted with acceleration and fast‐paced tracks.     

Reducing Student Bias Against Older Adults Through the Use of Literature

Human services educators must address the issue of students’ bias toward older adults to encourage interest and meet the growing need for professionals in the field. The use of literature can challenge students’ preconceptions of older adults while innovative teaching methods can guide their development of more tolerant views and introduce them to a field that they may have previously given little consideration. Based on a model of cultural competence development, teaching strategies, learning objectives, literature, and an evaluation are suggested.     

Match or Mismatch: The perceptions of parents of nursery age children related to those of the children's main nursery workers

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which shared aims, values and understanding exist both between parents and professionals and among professionals. Of particular concern was the impact that any differences in perspective might have on a given child. For each of seven case study children, one parent and two key nursery workers were interviewed and asked to complete rating scales. Thus, there were seven parent and 14 nursery practitioner interviews carried out. Interviews were analysed on a thematic basis with a particular focus on attributional analysis. It was found that, where there were differences between parents and practitioners in the attributions that they made for children's behaviour and learning that these had a significant influence on how children were understood and, in some cases, could lead to nursery practitioners underestimating or 'blaming' children and their families for perceived deficiencies. Cette étude avait pour objectif d'explorer s'iI existe des objectifs, des valeurs et des visions communes entre les parents et les professionnels et parmi les professionnels. On a examiné tout particulièrement l'impact potentiel de toute différence de perspective sur un enfant donné Pour chacun des 7 enfants ayant fait l'objet d'études de cas, un parent et deux enseignants-clés ont été interrogés et ont eu à remplir des questionnaires avec échelle d'évaluation. Il y a donc eu 7 entretiens avec des parents et 14 avec des enseignants de maternelle. Les entretiens ont été analysés sur une base thématique, en mettant un accent particulier sur 1'analyse des attributions. Il en est ressorti que lorsqu'il existait des différences entre les parents et les professionnels dans leurs attributions du comportement et 1'apprentissage des enfants, ces différences avaient une influence considérable sur la manière dont les enfants étaient compris et que, dans certains cas, elles pouvaient entraîner les professionnels à sous-estimer ou e blâmer f les enfants et leur famille pour des lacunes perçues.