This comprehensive, practical second edition has been updated in line with the new standards for qualified teacher status, in particular the competence in monitoring and assessment.Writing primarily for student and newly qualified teachers, whose classroom experience is necessarily limited, the author takes pains to elucidate why to assess, what to assess and how to assess. Theory and practice are linked throughout by way of case studies, activities and discussion points. Question and answer format, children's work and authentic written records are used to exemplify monitoring and assessment in action as part of the planning cycle. Photocopiable examples of recording sheets and a glossary of terms provide readers with valuable starting points for their own practice.