ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on ways of working: assistants supporting teachers within the classroom; assistants supporting children in their learning; teachers supporting assistants in successfully carrying out their work; and expectations and responsibilities of the teacher, the assistant and the children. As a classroom assistant teachers are likely to be asked to undertake a variety of different tasks when working with children. These include: showing children what to do; encouraging children to talk about their work; offering constructive feedback; helping children with their work; working with children with special educational needs; and working with children for whom English is their second language. When working with an assistant it is worth making time to talk through how teachers will both make the partnership work. The successful partnership between teacher and assistant depends upon their trust and respect for each other's work within the classroom.
