How to Teach Thinking and Learning Skills

Book excerpt: Includes Online Resources ′The author puts into perspective the importance of teaching thinking and learning skills providing clear explanations and easy to follow activities that can be used as a series of lessons, or simply as a one off. As a resource for the primary practitioner it is both practical and informative′ - ESCalate ′A treasure-trove of practical resources to stretch young people′s thinking muscles!′ - Professor Guy Claxton, University of Bristol ′It is full of useful ideas for busy teachers and helpful in getting the children rather than the teachers to do the thinking in the classroom′ - Professor Robert Fisher, Brunel University By helping children to form positive thinking and learning habits, and to develop a range of transferable skills, we give them the tools they need to become successful learners. This book is grounded in the best of current practice and theories surrounding thinking and learning skills. It provides a highly effective method for introducing a comprehensive set of thinking and learning skills to children aged 5 to 11, as well as for integrating these skills through the curriculum. By means of carefully developed games, activities and group tasks, these ready-to-use lessons will appeal to a wide range of learners and abilities. Features of the book include: - a clear explanation of what thinking and learning skills are; - lots of photocopiable activities, for use by individual teachers and in INSET; - a plan for introducing thinking and learning skills in your school; - suggestions for further reading and development of the programme. Headteachers, Curriculum Co-ordinators and classroom practitioners wishing to introduce and develop thinking and learning skills in their school can either follow this programme in its entirety, or dip into it when appropriate for specific activities.