Lesson planning

What are the ‘instincts’ of a good teacher?

Can they be taught?

Good teachers use good techniques and routines, but techniques and routines alone do not produce good teaching. The real art of teaching lies in teachers’ professional judgement because in teaching there is seldom one “right answer”. This combination of experience, flexibility, informed opinion and constant self-monitoring is not easy to acquire, but in this re-released classic edition of Critical Incidents in Teaching – in print since 1993 and which includes a new introduction from the author – David Tripp shows how teachers can draw on their own classroom experience to develop it.

In this practical and unique guide, the author offers a range of strategies for approaching critical incidents and gives advice on how to develop a critical incident file. Illustrated with numerous classroom examples for discussion and reflection, Critical Incidents in Teaching is for everyone concerned with the development of professionalism in teaching. Although aimed at teachers who want to improve their own practice and pass on their expertise to others, it is also part of David’s long term agenda to improve the public status of teaching and to encourage more inductive research in education; he sees classrooms as situations to be explained rather than as places in which to apply theories developed in other disciplines.

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Make a difference to classroom learning with this textbook, written for the CACHE qualification by highly respected and experienced author Louise Burnham.

-Develop your skills as a teaching assistant with coverage of all units in the new CACHE qualification.
-Build confidence in your role with practical advice and full explanations from best-selling author Louise Burnham.
-Translate theory into practice with Tips for Best Practice and Case Studies for challenging topics such as Behaviour Management.
-Strengthen your understanding of theory and practice, with comprehensive information linked clearly to assessment criteria.
-Find all the information you need with the colourful, clear design, and appropriate language throughout.
-Make the most of your training with the Stretch and Challenge feature.
-Engage in debate on important topics with Classroom Discussion suggestions.

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The book you can trust to guide you through your teaching career, as the expert authors share tried and tested techniques in primary settings. For this new edition Dominic Wyse, with Andrew Pollard, has worked with top practitioners from around the UK, to create a text that is both cohesive and that continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s primary school teachers.

Reflective Teaching in Primary Schools uniquely provides two levels of support:
– practical, evidence-­based guidance on key classroom issues – including relationships, behaviour, curriculum planning, teaching strategies and assessment
– evidence-­informed ‘principles’ and ‘concepts’ to help you continue developing your skills.

New to this edition:
– More case studies and research summaries based on teaching in the primary school than ever before
– New reflective activities and guidance on key readings at the end of each chapter
– Updates to reflect recent changes in curriculum and assessment across the UK

reflectiveteaching.co.uk provides a treasure trove of additional support.

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Written for the OCR GCSE Computer Science updated specification (J277) for first teaching from 2020. This print student book has been updated and reordered and uses an exciting and engaging approach to help students build their knowledge and master underlying computing principles and concepts. Designed to develop computational thinking, programming and problem-solving skills, this resource includes challenges and real-life examples that demonstrate how computer science relates to everyday life with practice questions. Our new reflection feature will help students to reflect on their progress and see where they could improve. Answers can be found in the teacher’s resource.

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In this controversial new book, Daisy Christodoulou offers a thought-provoking critique of educational orthodoxy. Drawing on her recent experience of teaching in challenging schools, she shows through a wide range of examples and case studies just how much classroom practice contradicts basic scientific principles. She examines seven widely-held beliefs which are holding back pupils and teachers:

• Facts prevent understanding
• Teacher-led instruction is passive
• The 21st century fundamentally changes everything
• You can always just look it up
• We should teach transferable skills
• Projects and activities are the best way to learn
• Teaching knowledge is indoctrination

In each accessible and engaging chapter, Christodoulou sets out the theory of each myth, considers its practical implications and shows the worrying prevalence of such practice. Then, she explains exactly why it is a myth, with reference to the principles of modern cognitive science. She builds a powerful case explaining how governments and educational organisations around the world have let down teachers and pupils by promoting and even mandating evidence-less theory and bad practice.

This blisteringly incisive and urgent text is essential reading for all teachers, teacher training students, policy makers, head teachers, researchers and academics around the world.

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This exciting new book from the bestselling authors of The Science of Learning takes complex ideas around teaching and learning and makes them easy to understand and apply through beautifully illustrated graphics. Each concept is covered over a double-page spread, with a full-page graphic on one page and supportive text on the other. This unique combination of accessible images and clear explanations helps teachers navigate the key principles and understand how to best implement them in the classroom.

Distilling key findings and ideas for great evidence-based teaching from a broad range of contemporary studies, the book covers the research findings, ideas and applications from the most important and fundamental areas of teaching and learning including:

• Retrieval Practice

• Spacing

• Interleaving

• Cognitive Load Theory

• Rosenshine’s Principles

• Feedback

• Resilience

• Metacognition

Written to support, inspire and inform teaching staff and those involved in leadership and CPD, Teaching & Learning Illuminated will transform readers’ understanding of teaching and learning research.

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A kid-friendly and rigorous new way to teach young readers the fundamentals of computer science

In Computer Science for Kids: A Storytelling Approach, AWS Head of Academic Advocacy and Google Developer Expert Dr. Jen Looper delivers a colorful, fun, and exciting demonstration for young readers who want to learn the basics of computer science. Using a variety of technologies, the book covers the elements of computer science in concise detail and illustrates how to build projects to learn foundational concepts behind the technology powering the internet.

In the book, you’ll find projects to build using both basic and emerging technologies―like SQL, game development, storytelling software, and 3D augmented reality―as well as:

• Chapter projects aligned to K-12 curriculum standards for grades 6-8 and a GitHub repo featuring open-source projects
• Lesson plans for teachers
• An online space for classrooms to showcase and discuss their work

An easy-to-follow and kid-friendly new resource for technology-curious middle school students, Computer Science for Kids is the fun and interesting web development resource that classroom teachers, parents, and homeschooling families have been waiting for.

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Learn to speak Italian like a native? Easy.

Italian All-in-One For Dummies appeals to those readers looking for a comprehensive, all-encompassing guide to mastering the Italian language. It contains content from all For Dummies Italian language instruction titles, including Italian For Dummies, Intermediate Italian For Dummies, Italian Verbs For Dummies, Italian Phrases For Dummies, Italian Grammar For Dummies, and Italian For Dummies Audio Set.

• Offers readers interested in learning Italian a valuable reference to all aspects of this popular language
• The content appeals to students, travelers, and businesspeople who visit Italian-speaking countries
• An online companion site allows you to download audio tracks allows for more practice opportunities, as well as additional content empowering you to speak Italian like a native

Whether you’re a pure beginner or have some familiarity with the language, Italian All-in-One For Dummies, with downloadable audio practice online, is your ticket to speaking, and writing, Italian.

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Exam Board: Pearson BTEC
Academic Level: BTEC National
Subject: Computing
First teaching: September 2016
First Exams: Summer 2017

• For all four of the externally assessed units 1, 2, 3 and 4.
• Builds confidence with scaffolded practice questions.
• Unguided questions that allow students to test their own knowledge and skills in advance of assessment.
• Clear unit-by-unit correspondence between this Workbook and the Revision Guide and ActiveBook.

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Transform the teaching of spelling to Year 6 students!

In this series of books, Jane Considine reveals her structured, rigorous system to teach spelling. Built on the fundamentals of teaching spelling with strong phonic foundations, The Spelling Book has around 150 pages of activities and guidance that will transform your teaching of spelling, ensuring your pupils become better spellers for life.

By breaking down the learning of spelling with repetitive contextual learning, this book can help teachers fix their work life balance and reduce the need for spelling tests or spelling homework. The activities within the book meet all National Curriculum statutory requirements and objectives while building on them. Suitable for SEND and EAL pupils and for low-attaining/all-attaining levels.

The Spelling Book is structured into weekly activities and investigations, functioning as a framework for lesson planning and resources for children and teachers to refer to. These books for Years 2 – 6 are referential and build on learning from earlier years to prepare pupils for later National Curriculum learning requirements.

Jane Considine is an experienced educational practitioner and author of revolutionary learning resources with over 25 years in literacy consultancy. Jane launched The Training Space in 2004, a place for supporting teachers, parents and pupils in maximising learning for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 students.

“The Spelling Book not only provides an implementable and comprehensive overview of spelling for Primary school senior leaders, but excitingly also provides a system of highly-engaging resources for classroom teachers to use and their pupils to love!” – Andrew Jennings, The Vocabulary Ninja

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Exam Board: Pearson BTEC
Academic Level: BTEC National
Subject: Sport and Exercise Science
First teaching: September 2016
First Exams: Summer 2017

• For all four of the externally assessed units 1, 2, 3 and 13.
• Builds confidence with scaffolded practice questions.
• Unguided questions that allow students to test their own knowledge and skills in advance of assessment.
• Clear unit-by-unit correspondence between this Workbook and the Revision Guide and ActiveBook.

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The Bloomsbury Curriculum Basics series provides non-specialist primary school teachers with subject knowledge and full teaching programmes in a variety of key primary curriculum subjects.
_______________

Teaching Primary Science is complete with links to online resources and full of easy-to-follow primary lesson plans that cover all areas of the National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2. Each chapter contains a helpful summary of all the background information you need to know, specific links to the objectives for assessment, interesting facts to engage pupils, key vocabulary and technical tips to help with specific scientific techniques.

Containing progression pointers, further ideas and cross-curricular activities, this refreshing book will engage pupils, bring science to life and fully support teaching and learning in the classroom and across the whole school. Perfect for primary practitioners and subject co-ordinators, this is a must-have resource!

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Taking on the pervasive issue of racism within education Badu offers a practical, no-nonsense guide on building an antiracist classroom. This book takes the reader on a journey from examining their own bias and racial literacy, to developing a diverse curriculum and improving the culture, to effecting wider changes across the school. Whether as an ally or recipient of bias in our society; this book will offer educators a guide to all the things we can do in the classroom to effect profound social change. If you seek to disrupt the cycles of systemic inequality that have existed in society and education for decades, this is the book for you.

Orlene Badu is a Leadership & Education Consultant.      

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Research evidence consistently shows that an outdoor learning environment can improve behaviour, engagement and encourage more active participation in learning. So why keep learning in a classroom? 

In reality, we know the challenges teachers face.  We know the barriers that get in the way of taking learning outside.  Learning through Landscapes has three decades of experience supporting teachers with the everyday challenges of teaching outdoors.  Through this real life understanding of teaching and step by step guidance, this book shows you that every curriculum subject in primary schools can be taught outdoors.   

Through the pages of this book, Learning through Landscapes shows you that learning outdoors not only improves the health, wellbeing and attainment of the children in your class – it also brings joy to your teaching.

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This book is the ultimate guide to differentiation in early years, schools and further education settings by Sue Cowley, bestselling author of Getting the Buggers to Behave. It offers over 90 practical and time-saving strategies for effective differentiation in every classroom.

The Ultimate Guide to Differentiation demonstrates how teachers already differentiate much of the time, in subtle and creative ways. Sue Cowley shows that we need to understand, acknowledge and celebrate the variety of approaches that teachers already use to differentiate, as well as helping them to develop additional strategies. The book takes the reader through the different methods and approaches to differentiation, providing a step-by-step guide to each. It is broken down into five core areas – planning, resources, learners, teaching and assessment – and readers can dip in and out to find strategies as and when they need them.

Written in Sue’s much loved realistic, honest and practical style, The Ultimate Guide to Differentiation will help teachers, practitioners and support staff to feel confident that they are meeting the needs of every learner.

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