First Published in 1996. This book is concerned with bringing the findings of educational research to bear on the practical problems faced by teachers in primary school classrooms. We take as our starting point a number of claims which we shall develop in more detail through the book: Teachers matter, relationship between teaching behaviour and educational outcomes, any attempt to improve education mist be concerned with outcomes, there is no single one 'best' approach, teaching situations have important aspects in common, teaching is a thoughtful activity that demands considerable intellectual engagement, and reflective and self-critical analysis.