ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines how and why primary teachers cope more effectively than their secondary colleagues with mixed ability grouping, and casts an eye over the lessons which secondary school teachers can learn. It reviews some teaching techniques and procedures for the teacher of mixed ability classes. The book is concerned with the need to match aims and objectives on the one hand, and practical constraints on the other, to appropriate teaching methods in the classroom. It reviews five lessons given by effective teachers of humanities subjects. The book shows that these lessons are characterised by good teacher-pupil relations, though sometimes at the expense of aspects of class control or pupil on-task behaviour. It suggests that successful classroom mixed ability teaching is most likely to be grounded in a coherent and established policy within subject department and school.
