Gifted and talented education is at a crossroads. Turn right and speed off down the motorway, only to be frustrated by the rush-hour traffic of identification, strategies, tests, labels, targets and anxious children. Turn left on to the road less travelled, and there's no crazed rush to a destination; rather a journey during which you can stop off frequently, take in the views, and enjoy the sensations and experiences that come with a focus on the processes, not just the products of learning. The Gifted & Talented Pocketbook turns left at the crossroads. Using cartoons, diagrams, and visual prompts to support the text, it offers teachers a coherent framework for G&T education, including five learning tools for running classrooms where all pupils are stretched, challenged and motivated and where gifts are created and grown, not identified and measured. The book considers definitions of giftedness, whether gifts are 'caught' or taught and whether giftedness is fixed or malleable. It highlights the role of intrinsic learning motivation when it comes to achieving high levels of success. The GRACE framework -Grow! Relate! Act! Challenge! Exert! - offers ideas for lessons, implications for policy and explains how to use five learning tools to stimulate considered, reflective learning: Logo Visual Thinking, Philosophy for Children, Thinking Actively in a Social Context, Dilemma-Based Learning, and Living Theory Action Research. Author Barry Hymer, a former teacher and ed. psych., is now a consultant and trainer in the field of gifted and talented education. He is consultant editor of Gifted Education International and a visiting fellow at Newcastle University's Centre for Learning and Teaching.

Whether you're teaching novice writers, older children or adults, you'll benefit from Julie Bennett's enthusiasm and expertise. She presents handwriting as both an art and a science. Either way, it can be mastered. Julie covers all bases: teaching, improving and troubleshooting handwriting. Starting with the basics - seating, posture, paper and writing implements - she then fixes the goalposts with a handwriting checklist. This is the reference point for remedying a range of common problems (e.g. uneven spacing between words and letters or inconsistent slope and slant) using Julie's multi-sensory 'Key Notes' method. A chapter on teaching beginner writers moves through the stages of writing from pre-literate to fluency, and a section on solving handwriting problems (e.g. for left-handers or those with dysgraphia or arthritis) is followed by a treasure trove of resources: schemes, aids, software, websites and books. Sign up for your copies now!

People with fixed mindsets believe that fundamental qualities like intelligence are essentially stable; people with growth mindsets believe that such qualities can be developed and nurtured. Research shows that learners with growth mindsets are more: open to challenges and constructively critical feedback; resilient in the face of obstacles and failure; convinced that effort makes a difference; able to learn well with and from others; likely to succeed. If we can foster growth mindsets in our pupils the results will be transformative. The Growth Mindset Pocketbook is full of classroom strategies for doing just that. Barry Hymer and Mike Gershon look at high-challenge tasks and the value of errors, mistakes and failure; exactly what we mean by effort and how to make that attractive to students; great feedback; the power of language; and 'going seriously meta' – equipping students to think about their own thinking and learn about their own learning. Get the book; get growing!

This book looks at The Wroxham School in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, which has embraced the' Learning without Limits' approach across the whole school.

Philosophy for Children (P4C) was conceived by Professor Matthew Lipman in the late 1960s. Here's what he said about it: 'The aim of a thinking skills program such as P4C is to help children become more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reasonable individuals. 'Who wouldn't want to offer their pupils that opportunity? In the P4C Pocketbook, Barry Hymer and Roger Sutcliffe explain how to use P4C in your own classroom to sustain and develop in all children the curiosity that is so evident in the young. They introduce and explain 'communities of enquiry', outline a broad ten-step process for P4C sessions, provide plenty of practical examples, and show how P4C can be used to explore key concepts. Chapters are devoted to choosing a stimulus, questions, the Socratic Method, facilitating an enquiry, and review. There is an excellent resource section at the end of the book spanning Foundation Stage to KS5.

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

The drive in schools to ensure that all students reach their potential is fuelled by a wealth of data for tracking progress and revealing which groups and individuals are underachieving. The challenge for teachers is to find strategies that 'close the gap', allowing every pupil the best possible chance of success. With characteristic energy, Caroline Bentley-Davies shows how to strengthen learning and engagement, so boosting progress and attainment. After dispelling some commonly held beliefs about raising achievement, Caroline describes a 'climate for achievement'. Drawing on education research on feedback, metacognition and motivation, she brings theory to life with examples and case studies. Her section on exams and revision cleverly applies the theory of marginal gains and elsewhere she highlights the role of parents and peers and stresses the importance of great CPD. A thought-provoking read that could raise your game and improve student outcomes.

Opening Doors provides 20 units of work which includes poetry and prose from our literary heritage. Each unit of work has exciting stimulus material with creative suggestions for ways in which the material can be used for outstanding learning possibilities. Visuals and innovative ideas to help pupils' access the meaning and wonder of the text which will add to the appeal. Pupils are encouraged, throughout the units of work, to engage with language, invent questions and write with flair and accuracy, bringing literature from the past alive for them and opening doors to further reading and exploration. Also included is an introduction to the concepts used in the book and suggestions about a range of methods and pathways which can lead to language development and literary appreciation. Although the units are all different and have a range of poetry and prose for teachers to use, each unit will have some common sections to give a coherent and ambitious approach. Opening Doors both informs and excites, it gives fresh resources and suggests new ways of going on the journey to outstanding literacy achievement. For 7-11 year olds.

This third edition of the Head of Department's Pocketbook will support middle leaders in both primary and secondary schools in carrying out their jobs confidently and efficiently. Authors Brin Best and Will Thomas know from experience that managing diverse teams in a climate of inflated performance expectations is no easy task. They devote a section of the Pocketbook to leadership and management, encompassing vision, goals and creativity, as well as challenging adult behaviours, up-skilling, influencing and motivating colleagues. A later chapter called 'Raising Student Achievement' looks at excellence in the classroom and includes material on enriching and supporting learning, data use and lesson planning. Effective documentation and raising the profile of your department or curriculum area are also explored. Whether you're new to middle leadership or a seasoned hand, you'll find the self-evaluation checklist at the end of the book a useful professional development tool.