The Classrooms All Young Children Need
Lessons in Teaching from Vivian Paley
- Contents
- Review Quotes
- Awards

Acknowledgments
Prologue: An “N of 1”
Introduction: Why Interpret the Clear?
Part One Curricular Matters: A Pedagogy of Meaning
Chapter One Early Literacy, Play, and a Teaching Philosophy
Chapter Two Fantasy Play and Young Children’s Search for Meaning
Chapter Three Storytelling and Story Acting: Meaning Extended
Part Two Relational Matters: A Pedagogy of Fairness
Chapter Four Teaching as a Moral Act, Classrooms as Democratic Spaces
Chapter Five Race, Pedagogy, and the Search for Fairness
Chapter Six Fairness Extended: Superheroes, Helicopters, and the Unchosen
Epilogue: The Classrooms Young Children Need—an “N of Many”
Appendix A: Guide to Implementation of Paley’s Storytelling Curriculum
Appendix B: Sample Stories
Appendix C: Sample Transcript of Child Dictation
Appendix D: Becoming a Teacher of Stories
Notes
References
Index
“A book focusing on how Vivian Paley’s pedagogical approach has informed her practice as a teacher is long overdue and sorely needed. Now we have Cooper’s book, which is a real pleasure to read and will benefit a wide range of readers, especially educators dissatisfied with the current overemphasis on teaching young children specific academic skills.”
“In her unique book Patricia Cooper casts a clear interpretive light, at once theoretical and practical, on the work of Vivian Paley, master teacher and writer. This is not primarily a ‘how-to’ book, although readers do learn how-tos; it is more importantly a focus on how to think about what matters to young children within their classroom communities. We learn much about how and why Paley engages children in telling their stories, playing, and expressing through words and actions how they come to understand their worlds. In short, this is a beautifully constructed and written work for teachers, teacher educators, and those interested in early childhood education. In tandem with Paley’s books, the author offers elaborated and thought-provoking signposts toward an unscripted curriculum open to all young children.”
“Cooper . . . analyzes Paley’s work with balance and insight. Cooper makes valid and useful connections among Paley, Vygotsky, Dewey, and Erikson. After reading this book, readers will go back to Paley’s work with a greater appreciation of what she offers."
AERA Division K: Exemplary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education
Won
Education: Curriculum and Methodology | Education--General Studies | Philosophy of Education | Pre-School, Elementary and Secondary Education
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