Teaching Thinking Pocketbook

Never before have we had access to such a flood of information - internet, tv, radio, mobile phones, etc. But what strategies are children developing to screen it all? They can access information and absorb it as entertainment, but they often lack the skills to approach it critically. For our students to flourish in the information age, it's crucial that we teach them to think. Using the PRICE taxonomy - Processing information, Reasoning, Inquiry, Creative thinking and Evaluation, Anne de A'Echevarria and Ian Patience identify a range of 'thinking problems'. Their five related sections of practical 'thinking tools' will inspire teachers and students alike: there's a wealth of dynamic material for individual lessons and for infusing thinking across the curriculum. The final chapter moves from the 'what' to the 'how' - the craft of teaching thinking. Travel with your students out of the comfort zone into the exciting landscape of the learning zone.

Teachers' questions play a critical role, not just for the thinking they provoke, but in the modelling of questioning skills and the development of curiosity. Research shows that when teachers think more about questioning - deepening their understanding, extending their range of strategies and planning their questions - responses from pupils improve, and engagement and learning increase. This Pocketbook separates out the three elements of questioning: framing them; delivering them; and responding to the answers. It offers both simple tweaks and fundamental shifts to turn instinctive practice into a highly effective teaching and learning tool. Author and 'question master' Gorden Pope finds a happy balance between theory and evidence-based practice, ending with a short checklist for monitoring and improving your own questioning. "This is a really great little book - engaging, practical, useful and forward-looking. I will be recommending it to the teachers at my school." Jan Shapiro, Deputy Headteacher, Prendergast Ladywell Fields College. "The perfect mix of theory and strategy. After only a few pages I found myself reflecting on my own practice and trying out new ideas. It's become my 'go to' book for engaging passive learners." Jenna Barnes, AST. Head of the Globe Faculty, Conisborough College. "A brilliant resource which will help you to reflect and then enrich your teaching." J Matthews, Headteacher, William Martin Junior School.

It was in response to requests from teachers that Learning to Learn came to be written. Hard-pressed to cover what to learn, finding time to research or devise materials on how to learn was, we were told, a problem. Tom Barwood's highly- regarded workshops for teachers and students in schools address just this issue - and now so does his pocketbook. Working on the premise that successful learning depends partly on knowing why you want to learn, the first part of the book looks at motivation. How to learn - registering, retaining, recalling, revising - is the focus of the remainder. From slicing, mind-mapping and learning styles, through mnemonics, mind pegs and the seven keys of memory, to reviewing, snowballing and recording, the art of learning is explored and demonstrated. Full of practical, fun techniques for successful learning, this is a book for teachers and their students.

A glance at the history books or the pages of a Dickens novel reminds us how far education has come since the days when pupils sat silently in rows memorising knowledge imparted by the teacher. Learning was passive, and only gender and social class affected provision. In today's schools learning is at the centre of what we do and differentiation - the process of modifying a lesson or part of a lesson for one or some of the learners - is a fundamental part of teaching. Turning theory into practice and including 20 key types of differentiation, this Pocketbook is about planning and teaching creative, student-focused lessons where every learner is appropriately challenged and where engaged, stimulated and motivated students work in a state of 'flow'. In this kind of environment true differentiation serves not to label but to enable. "Peter Anstee's book is simple but not simplistic. It is not an idiot's guide' but rather it reminds the initiate and the seasoned pedagogue of the fundamental importance of differentiation to effective teaching and learning. Its informed and (mercifully) succinct overview of the theory and manifold practical strategies provide an ideal companion for the busy professional." Pete Fishleigh, Faculty Leader - English, Brentwood County High School "This gem of a book doesn't disguise the challenge differentiation presents, but it is packed full of practical techniques which are easily incorporated into any lesson. It inspires, informs and gives the reader the confidence to improve their practice. A must-have for teaching today." Alice Edge, 2nd in MFL, Responsible for Community Languages - Valentines High School "This Pocketbook provides all the tips necessary to an outstanding teacher since all the key strategies which help students to learn more effectively are included. The theories are easy to understand because they are clearly linked to classroom practice, and experimentation seems possible." Debbie Kirk, English Consultant, School Improvement and Early Years - Essex LA

By adopting accelerated learning principles you can teach in a way that maximises your students' chances of reaching their potential. This pocketbook offers practical strategies and techniques that get results. After outlining the background to accelerated learning, Brin Best explains how to prepare your students for learning and how to create the right learning environment. A chapter on teaching strategies covers questioning techniques and styles of teaching and learning, with suggested activities helpfully linked to each of the multiple intelligences first identified by Howard Gardner. A detailed self-evaluation framework allows you to review and develop practice. To quote one head of science, "some books have a good idea every few pages; this one has a few good ideas on every page".

In England 'outstanding' is the term Ofsted uses to describe the very best lessons. Teaching outstanding lessons is an aspiration all teachers share, not least because of the buzz they get from knowing that they have made a significant impact on their students. In highly successful lessons students are better motivated, engaged and interested. They make excellent progress and their attainment levels improve. This cartoon-illustrated Pocketbook, written in clear, concise language for maximum impact, is about how to teach 'stunning lessons that will make an impression on your pupils and knock the socks off your observers'. It begins by scotching some of the myths about what inspectors expect to see in a top-notch lesson, focusing instead on the reality. Areas covered encompass: developing good relationships with pupils and seeking student feedback; planning great lessons, including objectives, starters, activities and review; six steps to pupil independence; the use of praise and aspects of AfL to harness 'the X factor'; effective use of resources; expanding your repertoire of teaching techniques; communication skills; how to motivate students; using plenaries, group work, thinking skills and behaviour management techniques. The final chapter includes a helpful self-audit and offers advice on where to seek inspiration and on what reviewers are looking for in lesson observations. Author Caroline Bentley-Davies has been a middle leader in three schools, a Local Authority Education Adviser and an educational consultant in the UK and overseas. She has run demonstration lessons in over 80 schools and conducts training sessions for teachers across a range of subject areas. "A wonderfully refreshing read! Makes delivering outstanding learning for students of all ages accessible and possible for every teacher." Vanessa Lea, Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning), The Elizabeth Woodville School "Caroline presents a wealth of relevant and motivating tips to raise the quality of teaching . This book will be a source of inspiration and reassurance for teachers at any st

' "I really like it when we can talk in class," says Kelly in Year 8, grinning from ear to ear when I suggest a group activity on a grey Monday morning. Although I suspect that she might like it for the wrong reasons, I know that there is a lot for her - and the other 29 students in the class - to learn in a structured co-operative learning context.' Gael Luzet's Pocketbook about small group work focuses on how 'the power of more than one' can transform learning. Like all good teaching and learning strategies, successful collaborative learning relies on meticulous planning and careful delivery, both of which are discussed here. Ideas for basic collaborative activities are included as well as practical examples of how to use various high impact strategies in lessons. You begin to see what lies behind Vygotsky's words: 'The one who does the talking does the learning'. And assessing and evaluating? Process and product; individual and team contributions; formative and summative approaches - they're all covered.

Developing the ability to think is a major part of education, which helps students become independent learners and participate fully in a learning environment. This book sets out the theory and outlines a model for implementing the teaching of thinking at whole-school, group and individual levels in inclusive settings. The model uses a three-tier approach to ensure that all learners are included: teaching thinking for all, which takes into account common needs; working with small groups, for those with exceptional needs such as learning difficulties or high ability; and addressing individualised learning needs, including those with a complex disability. The book covers key approaches to the teaching of thinking, giving examples of how each can best be used at each tier level. It also addresses the impact of different social contexts, cultures and environmental surroundings on learning. This book will be essential reading for all members of school communities, including education leaders and teachers. Educational psychologists, special educational needs co-ordinators, speech and language therapists, and those with particular interest in educating children who are vulnerable, from disadvantaged backgrounds, and from culturally different backgrounds, will find much of value in this book.