Getting Round to Clarity: What Do We Mean by Circle Time?

The use of circle time is becoming increasingly widespread in this country, but what exactly it involves and should achieve is subject to a wide range of interpretations. Such a situation can make the identification of what should count as good or appropriate practice very hard to undertake. This paper describes three examples of the development of circle time in other countries. These models are used as a means of critically reflecting on practice here. Some key points raised are the importance of the relationship between theory and practice and between specific processes and their outcomes. Lack of evaluative research and adequate training are also identified as significant issues.     

Appointment and Induction of Teacher Trainers (Fachseminarleiter,Seminarleiter) for the ‘Second Phase’ (Referendariat) of Teacher Education in Berlin (West)

This article deals with the selection of teacher trainers in the FRG. The author describes the recruitment and selection processes and techniques to select heads of ‘general training seminars’ (Seminarleiter,) and of ‘subject orientated seminars’ (Fachseminarleiter). As a result of the deficits of these methods of selection and placement training courses for future head teachers and school inspectors have been introduced by the Ministry of Education of Berlin (West). These courses seem to be quite attractive to young teachers as a method of “indirect counselling and guidance”.     

National identity,social institutions and political values. The case of FC Barcelona and Catalonia from an intergenerational comparison

Using the case of FC Barcelona and Catalonia, this paper examines the relationship between national identity, social institutions and political values. Through different methods of qualitative research, we present an intergenerational comparison between age cohorts to capture continuities and discontinuities in the discursive linkage between FC Barcelona and national feelings of belonging. As the context has changed, the identity construction process should have changed in conjunction with it. The results point to how the old cohort tended to use Barça, as an escape valve, intertwined with Catalan nationalism and political freedom. In contrast, the young ones reproduce the old discourse leaving aside those political values formerly attached to the idea of Barça.     

Spelling: do the eyes have it?

This paper explores the question of whether the ability to spell depends mainly on visual perception and visual imagery, or on other equally important auditory, cognitive, and motor processes. The writer examines the evidence suggesting that accurate spelling draws on a combination of visual processing, visual memory, phonological awareness, phonic knowledge, handwriting, knowledge of morphemic principles, and strategic thinking. Implications for teaching and intervention are presented.