Search Results for: teaching outdoors

Dirty Teaching

Edited by Ian Gilbert.

Juliet Robertson offers tips and tricks to help any primary school teacher to kick-start or further develop their outdoor practice.

One of the keys to a happy and creative classroom is getting out of it and this book will give you the confidence to do just that. Drawing on academic research, Juliet explains why learning outdoors is so beneficial and provides plenty of tips and activities to help you to integrate outdoor learning into your teaching practice, providing a broad range of engaging outdoor experiences for your students.

There is no need for expensive tools or complicated technologies: all you need is your coat and a passion for learning – oh, and you’d better bring the kids too!

Topics covered include: forest schools, learning outside the classroom, outdoor education, nature activities, caring for the environment, play in schools, investigative play, urban outdoor activities, problem solving, creative thinking and strategies for supporting curriculum objectives.

For all primary practitioners who want to shake up their usual classroom routine and discover the benefits of teaching outdoors.

Contents:
Introduction
The Golden Principles of Teaching Outdoors
Before You Go Outside
The First Few Sessions
Thinking, Reflecting and Reviewing
Creating and Constructing
A Sense of Adventure
Exploring What’s Out There
Caring for Nature
What to do in Concrete Jungles
Keeping the Momentum Going
Nagging Doubts, Fears and Worries
Embedding Outdoor Learning
Cross Reference of Ideas to Subject Areas
Bibliography
Index

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning

Written by Dr Alexia Barrable, Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning: Improving learning and well-being by teaching with nature in mind is an engaging and insightful take on how educators can deliver more outdoor- and nature-oriented learning opportunities for the benefit of their pupils’ mental and physical well-being.

Foreword by Ian Gilbert.

At a time of unprecedented challenges in relation not only to the climate crisis but also to children’s and adolescents’ mental health, connecting to nature offers an accessible and desirable way forward for today’s learners – especially those living in urban surroundings.

Bringing together evidence from psychology, environmental science and education, Alexia aims to support teachers as they provide meaningful experiences rooted in learning about and through nature. The book can be used in two ways: to inspire individual sessions in nature, or to support teachers in building a cohesive outdoor-learning curriculum throughout the school.

Featuring practical advice, case studies and discussion of original theory, the book aims to inspire, motivate and stimulate educators to engage with alternative approaches to teaching in the outdoors and with nature in mind – and in such a way that promotes students’ learning and fosters a long-lasting relationship with nature.

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning shares case studies and examples of good practice from a variety of settings – ranging from kindergarten to secondary. Detailing the physical and psychological benefits of being outdoors, the book suggests ways to help build young people’s connection with nature and support their autonomy in natural spaces. Alexia offers ideas on how to weave nature and the outdoors into the very fabric of the curriculum – for example, in relation to art, literature and technology.

Suitable for teachers and outdoor-learning leaders in early years through to secondary schools.

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning is one of a number of books in the Independent Thinking On… series from the award-winning Independent Thinking Press.

You can view the full series here.

Independent Thinking On… Bundle

Pick up a special bundle deal on ten books from the Independent Thinking On… series for just £60! (RRP £119.90)

The bundle includes the following titles from the series:

  • Independent Thinking on MFL by Crista Hazell.
  • Independent Thinking on Laughter by Dave Keeling.
  • Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice by Mark Finnis.
  • Independent Thinking on Loss by Ian Gilbert.
  • Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning by Jackie Beere.
  • Independent Thinking on Transition by Dave Harris.
  • Independent Thinking on Emotional Literacy by Richard Evans.
  • Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO by Ginny Bootman.
  • Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning by Dr Alexia Barrable.
  • Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching by Mark Creasy.

Crista Hazell‘s Independent Thinking on MFL: How to make modern foreign language teaching exciting, inclusive and relevant takes teachers on a tour of how to get the teaching of a new language right.

Crista provides a range of strategies – from how to hook students in the minute they enter the classroom to ensuring that the vocabulary sticks – designed to help learners develop confidence, take risks and enjoy the challenge that learning a new language brings. She also offers ideas and advice on how to make learning new vocabulary and grammar a great deal more effective – and empowers teachers to open up the benefits and enjoyment of learning a language to all students, not just those in the top sets.

For MFL teachers and heads of languages departments in primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.

 

Independent Thinking on Laughter: Using humour as a tool to engage and motivate all learners by Dave Keeling is an uplifting manifesto packed with tips and techniques to help educators unleash the power of humour and laughter in the learning environment.

No one is more familiar with the power of classroom conviviality than ‘stand-up educationalist’ and Independent Thinking Associate Dave Keeling, who in this book takes readers on an enlightening journey into the part that humour can play in improving the learning experience for all concerned.

Writing with his trademark wit, Dave shares handy hints acquired from his experience in the world of comedy and offers a veritable smorgasbord of activities for use with learners – all proven to generate laughter, enhance learning and make the teacher look great.

An inspiring read for all teachers and educators.

 

In Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice: Building relationships, improving behaviour and creating stronger communities, Mark Finnis shares a practical and inspiring introduction to the use of restorative practice in educational settings.

The book shares advice on how to put behaviour right when it goes wrong in a more positive, less punitive way, and, more importantly, on how to get it right and keep it right in the first place. Furthermore, it advocates an approach that is collaborative, empowering and positive – and ultimately geared to improve motivation, engagement and independent learning in even the hardest-to-reach young people.

Suitable for school leaders, educators and anyone working with young people.

 

 

Independent Thinking on Loss: A little book about bereavement for schools details the ways in which schools can help their pupils come to terms with the death of a parent.

Written by Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert together with his three children, Independent Thinking on Loss is a personal account of the way educational institutions tried and succeeded, tried and failed and sometimes didn’t try at all to help William, Olivia and Phoebe come to terms with the death of their mother.

Ian, William, Olivia and Phoebe encourage educators to view death and bereavement as something that can be acknowledged and talked about in school, and offer clear guidelines that will make a difference as to how a school can support a bereaved child in their midst. They also explore how conversations and actions – little ones, whole-school ones, genuine ones, professional ones, personal ones – in the school setting can make an awful scenario just that little bit easier for children to deal with.

Suitable for anyone working with children and young people in an educational setting.

 

Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning: Developing independence and resilience in all teachers and learners by Jackie Beere is a practical guide full of educational wisdom
to help teachers make a genuine difference to the lives of every young person in their classroom.

Jackie encourages teachers to embrace challenge and change, and suggests ways in which they can provide a model for their pupils when it comes to developing independence and resilience. She also offers expert guidance on how teachers can build rapport with their students and cultivate with them a sense of co-ownership of their learning journey so that they work hard, value their learning and fulfil their potential.

Essential reading for all teachers and school leaders who wish to make an impact on the teaching and learning in their school.

 

 

Independent Thinking on Transition: Fostering better collaboration between primary and secondary schools by Dave Harris is an inspirational compendium of practical strategies to empower primary and secondary school leaders to work together to get transition right.

In this book he tackles school transition head-on, sharing a wealth of practical approaches and vividly illustrating how primary and secondary schools can better collaborate to ensure their pupils enjoy a smooth and effective move between the two phases.

Dave’s passion for joined-up thinking between different phases shines through in his writing, as does his ingenuity when it comes to the design and delivery of programmes that work. He provides a clear explanation of the differences between transition and induction programmes, and also shares a comprehensive set of appendices in which he presents a range of materials to support the ideas put forward in the book.

Suitable for all school leaders – from heads of department and heads of year to head teachers and transition leads – in primary and secondary schools.

 

Written by Richard Evans, Independent Thinking on Emotional Literacy: A passport to increased confidence, engagement and learning shares an approach that will help educators boost their pupils’ emotional literacy, with the broader aim of nurturing a more grounded, engaged and intrinsically motivated child.

In Independent Thinking on Emotional Literacy, Richard Evans reminds every school educator that behind every child is a set of circumstances so entwined – and within them a set of emotions so involved – that to ignore them is to be complicit in any educational failings experienced by that child.

Richard equips educators with a collaborative ‘passport’ template designed to improve pupils’ emotional literacy and promote discussion of the often-unspoken issues that prevent children from making progress at school. It enables staff to steer young people to greater emotional understanding of themselves, so that they can better manage their route through the school system.

Suitable for all educators in both primary and secondary settings.

 

Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO: 113 tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives by Ginny Bootman is an informative guide that identifies
simple, tried and tested ways to build and cement strong relationships between all those who work with children with additional needs, whether they are teachers, parents, carers or outside agencies.

Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO is designed to help you become a compassionate, honest and determined SENDCO, combining your professionalism with empathy, the ability to listen properly and a desire to understand what the lives of others are like and how you can help. It is a book full of tips that will save you time and energy, useful hacks to help you overcome obstacles and bumps in the road, and proven strategies that will benefit your relationships.

Suitable for SENDCOs, primary and secondary school teachers and leaders, as well as parents of children with additional needs.

 

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning: Improving learning and well-being by teaching with nature in mind by Dr Alexia Barrable is an engaging and insightful take on how educators can deliver more outdoor- and nature-oriented learning opportunities for the benefit of their pupils’ mental and physical well-being.

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning shares case studies and examples of good practice from a variety of settings – ranging from kindergarten to secondary. Detailing the physical and psychological benefits of being outdoors, the book suggests ways to help build young people’s connection with nature and support their autonomy in natural spaces. Alexia offers ideas on how to weave nature and the outdoors into the very fabric of the curriculum – for example, in relation to art, literature and technology.

Suitable for teachers and outdoor-learning leaders in early years through to secondary schools.

 

Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching: Practical strategies for working smarter, not harder by Mark Creasy paints a vivid picture of life in a primary school and shares top tips on how to enrich children’s learning at no extra cost to teachers’ time or the school budget.

In Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching, Mark encourages teachers to stop and consider the things they do daily in the classroom and presents a series of prompts, nudges and suggestions to help them achieve the same (or even better) results by working smarter, not harder. In so doing he shares a wealth of practical and easily transferable tips for immediate use in the classroom, all designed to streamline teachers’ schedules and lighten their workload while enlivening children’s learning.

Essential reading for primary school teachers.

Independent Thinking On… Bundle: Primary

Pick up a special bundle deal on eight books from the Independent Thinking On… series that are perfect for primary school teachers for just £50! (RRP £95.92)

The bundle includes the following titles from the series:

  • Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning by Dr Alexia Barrable.
  • Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching by Mark Creasy.
  • Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice by Mark Finnis.
  • Independent Thinking on Loss by Ian Gilbert.
  • Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning by Jackie Beere.
  • Independent Thinking on Transition by Dave Harris.
  • Independent Thinking on Emotional Literacy by Richard Evans.
  • Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO by Ginny Bootman.

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning: Improving learning and well-being by teaching with nature in mind by Dr Alexia Barrable is an engaging and insightful take on how educators can deliver more outdoor- and nature-oriented learning opportunities for the benefit of their pupils’ mental and physical well-being.

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning shares case studies and examples of good practice from a variety of settings – ranging from kindergarten to secondary. Detailing the physical and psychological benefits of being outdoors, the book suggests ways to help build young people’s connection with nature and support their autonomy in natural spaces. Alexia offers ideas on how to weave nature and the outdoors into the very fabric of the curriculum – for example, in relation to art, literature and technology.

Suitable for teachers and outdoor-learning leaders in early years through to secondary schools.

 

Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching: Practical strategies for working smarter, not harder by Mark Creasy paints a vivid picture of life in a primary school and shares top tips on how to enrich children’s learning at no extra cost to teachers’ time or the school budget.

In Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching, Mark encourages teachers to stop and consider the things they do daily in the classroom and presents a series of prompts, nudges and suggestions to help them achieve the same (or even better) results by working smarter, not harder. In so doing he shares a wealth of practical and easily transferable tips for immediate use in the classroom, all designed to streamline teachers’ schedules and lighten their workload while enlivening children’s learning.

Essential reading for primary school teachers.

 

 

In Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice: Building relationships, improving behaviour and creating stronger communities, Mark Finnis shares a practical and inspiring introduction to the use of restorative practice in educational settings.

The book shares advice on how to put behaviour right when it goes wrong in a more positive, less punitive way, and, more importantly, on how to get it right and keep it right in the first place. Furthermore, it advocates an approach that is collaborative, empowering and positive – and ultimately geared to improve motivation, engagement and independent learning in even the hardest-to-reach young people.

Suitable for school leaders, educators and anyone working with young people.

 

 

Independent Thinking on Loss: A little book about bereavement for schools details the ways in which schools can help their pupils come to terms with the death of a parent.

Written by Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert together with his three children, Independent Thinking on Loss is a personal account of the way educational institutions tried and succeeded, tried and failed and sometimes didn’t try at all to help William, Olivia and Phoebe come to terms with the death of their mother.

Ian, William, Olivia and Phoebe encourage educators to view death and bereavement as something that can be acknowledged and talked about in school, and offer clear guidelines that will make a difference as to how a school can support a bereaved child in their midst. They also explore how conversations and actions – little ones, whole-school ones, genuine ones, professional ones, personal ones – in the school setting can make an awful scenario just that little bit easier for children to deal with.

Suitable for anyone working with children and young people in an educational setting.

 

Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning: Developing independence and resilience in all teachers and learners by Jackie Beere is a practical guide full of educational wisdom
to help teachers make a genuine difference to the lives of every young person in their classroom.

Jackie encourages teachers to embrace challenge and change, and suggests ways in which they can provide a model for their pupils when it comes to developing independence and resilience. She also offers expert guidance on how teachers can build rapport with their students and cultivate with them a sense of co-ownership of their learning journey so that they work hard, value their learning and fulfil their potential.

Essential reading for all teachers and school leaders who wish to make an impact on the teaching and learning in their school.

 

 

Independent Thinking on Transition: Fostering better collaboration between primary and secondary schools by Dave Harris is an inspirational compendium of practical strategies to empower primary and secondary school leaders to work together to get transition right.

In this book he tackles school transition head-on, sharing a wealth of practical approaches and vividly illustrating how primary and secondary schools can better collaborate to ensure their pupils enjoy a smooth and effective move between the two phases.

Dave’s passion for joined-up thinking between different phases shines through in his writing, as does his ingenuity when it comes to the design and delivery of programmes that work. He provides a clear explanation of the differences between transition and induction programmes, and also shares a comprehensive set of appendices in which he presents a range of materials to support the ideas put forward in the book.

Suitable for all school leaders – from heads of department and heads of year to head teachers and transition leads – in primary and secondary schools.

 

Written by Richard Evans, Independent Thinking on Emotional Literacy: A passport to increased confidence, engagement and learning shares an approach that will help educators boost their pupils’ emotional literacy, with the broader aim of nurturing a more grounded, engaged and intrinsically motivated child.

In Independent Thinking on Emotional Literacy, Richard Evans reminds every school educator that behind every child is a set of circumstances so entwined – and within them a set of emotions so involved – that to ignore them is to be complicit in any educational failings experienced by that child.

Richard equips educators with a collaborative ‘passport’ template designed to improve pupils’ emotional literacy and promote discussion of the often-unspoken issues that prevent children from making progress at school. It enables staff to steer young people to greater emotional understanding of themselves, so that they can better manage their route through the school system.

Suitable for all educators in both primary and secondary settings.

 

Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO: 113 tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives by Ginny Bootman is an informative guide that identifies
simple, tried and tested ways to build and cement strong relationships between all those who work with children with additional needs, whether they are teachers, parents, carers or outside agencies.

Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO is designed to help you become a compassionate, honest and determined SENDCO, combining your professionalism with empathy, the ability to listen properly and a desire to understand what the lives of others are like and how you can help. It is a book full of tips that will save you time and energy, useful hacks to help you overcome obstacles and bumps in the road, and proven strategies that will benefit your relationships.

Suitable for SENDCOs, primary and secondary school teachers and leaders, as well as parents of children with additional needs.

Messy Maths

In Messy Maths: A Playful, Outdoor Approach for Early Years, Juliet Robertson offers a rich resource of ideas that will inspire you to tap into the endless supply of patterns, textures, colours and quantities of the outdoors and deepen children’s understanding of maths through hands-on experience.

Juliet believes being outside makes maths real. In the classroom environment, maths can seem disconnected from everyday reality – but real maths is really messy. Lots of outdoor play and engaging activity along the way is a must, as being outside enables connections to be made between the hands, heart and head, and lays the foundations for more complex work as children grow, develop and learn.

Following on from the success of Dirty Teaching (ISBN 978-178135107-9), Messy Maths reimagines the outdoor space through a mathematical lens – providing a treasure trove of suggestions that will empower you to blend outdoor learning into your teaching practice. It is not a ‘how to’ guide, but rather an easy-to-use reference book replete with ready-to-use games and open-ended ideas designed to help children become confident and skilled in thinking about, using and exploring abstract mathematical concepts as they play outside. Many of these ideas and activities are also beautifully displayed in full-colour photographs throughout the book, making it even easier to jump straight into outstanding outdoor learning opportunities.

Topics covered include: general advice; exploring numbers; number functions and fractions; money; measurement; time; pattern; shape and symmetry; position, direction and movement; data handling; routines; and the mathematical garden. Each chapter features a section on topic-specific vocabulary and expressions to help you integrate terminology into each area of study, while suggestions for embedding maths into routines are also provided to assist in the development of creative, progressive and flexible approaches to everyday situations.

Messy Maths is suitable for early years educators (of ages 3–6) who want to shake up their usual classroom practice and make the most of any outdoor space – whether this be a nursery, playgroup, child-minder’s back garden or a nature kindergarten – as a context for maths.