A sound understanding of the role primary creativity plays in learning and teaching will help trainee teachers become creative practitioners and develop creativity in their pupils. The second edition of this popular text retains key material from the previous book, but it has been substantially updated and revised to include six new chapters which explore creativity in both a subject specific context as well as the broader issues of creativity in SMSC and the Foundation Stage. The book is linked throughout to the Standards for the award of QTS and also considers important government agendas such as Every Child Matters.

There is considerable interest in education around the world in flexible thinking and learning skills but very little consensus as to the nature of these skills and how best to promote them in schools. This book puts forward a clear and practical framework for understanding thinking, creativity and learning to learn as the fruits of engagement in dialogue. It also outlines in detail how this framework can be applied to teaching across the curriculum at both primary and secondary level, drawing on the best practices associated with the teaching thinking; creativity; and learning to learn movements explaining their success in terms of dialogic theory. In particular the book incorporates aspects of a number of thinking skills approaches, such as Lipman�s Philosophy for Children approach, as well as features of contemporary innovations in education such as assessment for learning and the development of creativity. Each chapter opens with a vignette to set the scene and continue into a light and popularly written exposition of theory, before moving on to a description of practice and concluding with practical guidelines for how to teach for thinking and creativity in schools and classrooms. The first six chapters in the book have more of a focus on developing core theoretical themes and the following six chapters in the second half of the book focus more on practice-led themes. The relationship between theory and practice is treated as flexible and dynamic, theory being developed by practice as much as practice implementing theory.

Primary education occupies the most important place in the ladder of education. The teacher training Institutes of Primary level which are now called as District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) play an important role in producing quality teachers for primary schools. Are these institutions producing creative teachers? Then who is an effective teachers? What are the qualities or characteristics of a good teacher? What criteria should be followed in the selection of candidates for teacher training and which typed of educational programme should be given for them? A variety of such questions are to be answered with empirical evidence.

This informative book brings together theory, research and practice examples of creativity in primary schools, providing a scholarly yet accessible introduction. The book offers an overview for teachers looking for a concise guide to current thinking about creativity, particularly if your school is thinking of introducing or extending its practice. The book considers recent developments in the creative curriculum, and techniques embedded in approaches such as Philosophy for Children, Mantle of the Expert and Enterprise Education. Ideas for personalising teaching and creating independent and motivated learners are incorporated. Other key features of the book include: Examination of the major theories of creativity How to develop your own creativity as a teacher Focus on the difference between developing group and individual creativity Innovative ideas for creativity in subject teaching Practical examples and ‘Creative Challenges’ throughout The book draws on the author's many years of experience of working with children in schools, working on Creative Partnerships and Higher Education in the Arts (HEARTS) projects and ideas developed through working in initial teacher training. This book is essential reading for students in the early stages of their teacher training course as well as for practising teachers looking for innovative ideas and guidance on developing creativity in themselves and their classrooms. “This is an interesting book, which explores theory, practice and policy of creativity in the primary classroom. Jill Jesson links five key creative behaviours drawn together initially by (then) policymakers QCA, with what she identifies as six areas of creative endeavour. Primary teachers committed to developing a ‘creative curriculum’ will find much material in this lively book that supports their personal and professional creativity, as well as suggestions for classroom practice in developing individual and group work.” Professor Anna Craft, University of Exeter and The Open University, UK “This is a compulsory read for all those interested in developing the creative potential of young people in primary schools. It includes a useful overview of previous thinking on creativity and makes a convincing case for its importance across the curriculum. Above all, this book is jam-packed with practical ideas. Whether you are interested in creative approaches to maths or modern languages, developing group or personal creativity, or the challenges of assessing creative endeavour, you will find a host of strategies that have been tried and tested in the classroom.” Hilary Hodgson, Director, Ormiston Trust

Creative Learning in the Primary School uses ethnographic research to consider the main features of creative teaching and learning within the context of contemporary policy reforms. In particular, the authors are interested in the clash between two oppositional discourses - creativity and performativity - and how they are resolved in creative teacher practice. The blend of analysis, case-study material and implications for practice will make this book attractive to primary teachers, school managers, policy makers, teacher educators and researchers.

The book aims to support and develop creative writing activity in the primary curriculum, offering a balanced mix of both theoretical background and practical writing ideas.

Practical, useful and informative, this book provides ideas and suggestions on how to interpret and develop the primary science curriculum in an interesting and challenging way. Bringing together creative thinking and principles that still meet National Curriculum requirements, the themes in the book encourage teachers to: teach science with creative curiosity value the unpredictable and unplanned thrive on a multiplicity of creative approaches, viewpoints and conditions be creative with cross-curricular and ICT opportunities reflect on their own practice. For teachers new and old, this book will make teaching and learning science fun by putting creativity and enjoyment firmly back onto the primary agenda.

Whilst recognition of the role and nature of creativity and interest in creative pedagogical practice has grown, tensions persist at several levels, particularly in accountability cultures, where international comparisons of literacy, numeracy and science frame, shape and often limit policy, practice and curricula. Responding to this context, the book draws together the work of a number of eminent scholars of creativity and creative pedagogies. It offers diverse perspectives from Colombia, Denmark, England, France, Poland, Hong Kong, and the USA and highlights differences as well as similarities across cultural contexts. Individually and collectively, the authors reveal both the complexities and the possibilities of creative pedagogies. While some focus more upon conceptual challenges, others examine classroom practice, both that of teachers and visiting artists, and identify difficulties as well as potential possibilities. In offering hope as well as challenge, creative approaches to learning are of interest to all educators. This book was originally published as a special issue of Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.

Teaching Geography Creatively was Winner of the Geographical Association Gold Award 2014 and Winner of the Geographical Association Silver Award 2017. This fully updated second edition of Teaching Geography Creatively is a stimulating source of guidance for busy trainee and experienced teachers. Packed full of practical approaches for bringing the teaching of geography to life, it offers a range of innovative ideas for exploring physical geography, human geography and environmental issues. Underpinned by the very latest research and theory, expert authors from schools and universities explore the inter-relationship between creativity and learning, and consider how creativity can enhance pupils’ motivation, self-image and well-being. Two brand new chapters focus on creative approaches to learning about the physical world, as well as the value of alternative learning settings. Further imaginative ideas include: games and starter activities as entry points for creative learning how to keep geography messy the outdoors and learning beyond the classroom how to teach geography using your local area the links between geography and other areas of the curriculum looking at geography, creativity and the future fun and games in geography engaging with the world through picture-books teaching about sustainability. With contemporary, cutting-edge practice at the forefront, Teaching Geography Creatively is an essential read for all trainee and practicing teachers, offering a variety of practical strategies to create a fun and stimulating learning environment. In the process it offers a pedagogy that respects the integrity of children as joyful and imaginative learners and which offers a vision of how geography can contribute to constructing a better and more equitable world.