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Name of BookDescription of BookReview of BookTwitter add of AuthorLink to buying book
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Thinking for Learning by mel Rockett and Simon PercivalI found this book very interesting. It gives an explanation of different thinking skills strategies and I could feel as I read it that the authors were writing from experience and not just theory. It is one of the few educational books that I have read from start to finish chapter by chapter and not just dipped in and out of. I have also found myself refering to and sharing the pages with colleagues as part of INSET. Specifically we were asked to look at metacognition and this book was a great help. @hrogersonhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Learning-Accelerated-Simon-Percival/dp/1855390965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365758359&sr=1-1&keywords=thinking+for+learning
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Formative Assessment in the Secondary Classroom by Shirley ClarkeThis practical guide focuses on learning objectives, effective questioning and feedback as the key elements of formative assessment in the secondary classroom. During my early career senior teachers were proclaiming that if only we were using formative assessment in our classrooms all would be great. However the support in understanding what they meant by that was lacking so I bought books by Shirley Clarke. I have her primary books too and they are all very useful. Based on work that she has done with teachers and based on her experiences the book helps to focus your mind on how you will apply assessment for learning and what it really means. A really useful book if you want to get back to basics with assessment for learning and not get bogged down in books full of AfL activities without the principles behind it. Another book I read fully and couldn't put down.@hrogersonhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Formative-Assessment-Secondary-Classroom-Shirley/dp/0340887664/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365758394&sr=1-4&keywords=shirley+clarke+formative+assessment
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How Science Works: Teaching and Learning in the Science Classroom by James WilliamsA book that explores the nature of science and all the aspects of how and why we teach "how science works" in the science curriculumA book for science teachers, but one of my favourites. It changed my understanding of why we teach science and why it is so important to teach about the ideas of "how science works'. At the time I bought the book I was trying to understand what was meant by the phrase "how science works" and why this was different to the Sc1 strand in the previous national curriculum. @hrogersonhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Science-Works-Teaching-Classroom/dp/1441147071/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365758697&sr=1-4&keywords=how+science+works
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Pimp your lesson – Isabella Wallace and Leah KirkmanPimp in this case stands for Prepare, Innovate, Motivate and Perfect, it is all about taking your lessons from that good to an OFSTED outstandingIt is helpful in the way it clearly explains the new criteria and then gives you lots of real ideas to use in the classroom. It is very easy to dip in and out of and has chapters on 12 different aspects of an outstanding lesson including preparation, starters and plenaries, Every Child Matters, literacy/numeracy, AfL and differentiation. It includes lots of reminders of forgotten faithful techniques and their applications like Blooms, effective lesson plans and bribery! Some of the newer activities include beach ball starters, pass the parcel and Sesame Street games as well as quick tips lists in the chapters. What I also liked about it is each chapter gave you a ‘trash it’ section of techniques we may all use still which are not effective and laugh out loud anecdotes as to why. This book is well worth a read for any of us looking to refresh our teaching and make outstanding learning the focus of our lessons.@astsupportaalihttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Pimp-your-Lesson-Continuum-Practical/dp/0826496539/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366119438&sr=8-1&keywords=pimp+your+lesson
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Perfect Assessment (for learning) – Claire GadsbyA pracitical guide on using active AfL techniques and establishing them as routuine in the classroom“Is AfL having a ’mid-life crisis’?” One of the opening terms to this book which I think illustrates perfectly what this book aims to stop. AfL has been around for a long while and instead of now being established and reaching its enhancement in our teaching it has often become stagnated into routines. This book reminds you again of the fundamental s of AfL which is states simply as a partnership of active learning with the learners. This book has a wealth of strategies to enhance its use in the classroom and bring it back alive as well as reminding us of the basics; the most of important of which begins with the sharing of learning intentions with the pupils and the engagement of parents in the process. Again it is easy to dip in and out of and includes chapters on classroom discussions, peer assessment, self-assessment and demonstrating progress to OFSTED. Each chapter has a top tips section with a short snappy summary of what is effective. The book also then finishes with a synopsis of all the elements required to now establish AfL within the classroom so it disappears into maximised achievement and engagement. @astsupportaalihttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Assessment-Learning-Claire-Gadsby/dp/1781350027/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366119480&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=perfect+assessment+for+learning%23
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High performers by Alastair SmithFocus on what makes schools great. Really useful case studies.Any book on education which makes you reflect on your practice as a leader or teacher is really useful. This book uses case studies and real life schools to highlight what makes successful schools work. The book would benefit teachers, middle leaders and senior leadership teams. Points and key questions are easy to find. Very useful for school and department improvement planning.@jamieclaytonleoSearch on amazon
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Full on Learning, involve me and I will understand by Zoe ElderFull on Learning provides a blueprint for teachers to methodically and artfully create opportunities for learners to flourish. (Taken from Zoe's introduction)Having seen Zoe on a recording of a TeachMeet and following her on Twitter I bought this book and wasn't disappointed. Focussing on the learner as the starting point there are fantastic examples of how to engage students and enable them to really get the most out of their classroom experience. I hope Zoe doesn't mind but I couldn't have described her book better, so I pinched her description from the intro to the book. @garrodmustohttp://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1845906810/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AHRB2OK2Q2YCL
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An Ethic for Excellence. Ron BergerProject Based Learning and Public Critique. This book is completely inspiring. A humble reflection of years of outstanding teaching practise. This book enabled me to confidently include project based learning within the demands of GCSE and ALevel. Especially in terms of time constraints. Students from all walks of life have risen to the challenge and also taken me on a journey which has been beyond awesome. Even if you only pick the book up for public critique. The improvement in the quality and commitment of students work has been phenomenal. In terms of education, Ron Berger would be on my autograph list. Only one thing left to say - thank you Ron Berger! @wclouhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0325005966/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
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Switch' by Chip and Dan HeathStrategies for effecting change "when change is hard".Switch' is an easy to read book focussing on a few strategies for effecting change in a variety of contexts. Alongside this, the authors have included potted case histories showing the strategies in action or how problems were created for organisations which ignored an important aspect of the change 'ingredients'. These were useful in placing the ideas in real business or educational contexts.
These changes might include reviving a struggling whole school or department, or improving the behaviour of classes or individuals, making the book useful for individual class teachers as well as school leaders. Inevitably, there are occasions when solving extremely complex problems seem to be over-simplified, particularly as many of the variables which need to be factored into positive change cannot be controlled in comparison with business settings. That said, the ideas in the book are empowering in offering a framework for solutions which can be adopted and applied by anyone.		@EduBookChatUKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Switch-change-things-when-hard/dp/1847940323/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372223291&sr=1-1&keywords=switch
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The Magic Weaving Business. FInding the heart of learning and teaching. Sir John Jones Great for all teachers to read - really makes you reflect on your practise especially when finding ways to engage challenging learners I really loved this book. It is a great read and really makes you reflect on your own practse. There are many magic weavers up and down the country and infact this book prompted me to thank mine. It has different ideas and ways you can approach students especially those with behavour, emotional and social disorders. It was recommended to me by a Head Teacher who runs a BESD school. I want to go to school and build a team of magic weavers to support students who need to change their script it is a hard job for one but what if we could get all involved who come across the student every day - now that impact would be mind blowing. @wclouhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0956376029/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0956376002&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1VDDYRRHV34FF0NAJY46
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SOLO Taxonomy: A Guide for Schools. Pam Hook and Julie Mills.Introducing and developing the common language of using SOLO to structure learning.Only 64 pages and more of a handbook with resources inc. 33 templates with self assessment rubrics integrated for classroom use. Easy to follow and redy to use in the classroom. As a number of online discussions and people at Teachmeets have raised be clear why you are using Solo so it. Is at its most effective. This is book 1 and recommended as a starting point.@aknillHttp://www.educationalresourcesuk.com. Also available from Amazon
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Oops! Helping children learn accidentally. Hywel Roberts. Edited Ian GilbertLuring children in your classes to learn about things.An avid read, I was drawn in over two days. A teacher of my liking -the curriculum possibilities are all around us. Hywel finds them through Drama but gives plenty of examples across subjects and school phases. A book from the heart that practices and shares from the heart. I have found myself quoting it in #ukedchat already as the impetus for creativity and drawing children into their learning is so strong.@aknillhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Oops-Helping-children-learn-accidentally/dp/1781350094
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