What does it mean to teach English creatively to primary school children? How can you successfully develop pupils’ engagement with reading and writing skills? Teaching English Creatively demonstrates the potential of creative teaching to develop children’s knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes. Underpinned by theory and research, it also offers informed and practical support to both students in initial teacher education, and practising teachers who want to develop their teaching. Illustrated by examples of children’s work, this book explores the core elements of creative practice in relation to developing engaged readers, writers, speakers and listeners. Creative ways to explore powerful literary, non-fiction, visual and digital texts are offered throughout. Key themes addressed include: meaning and purpose play and engagement curiosity and autonomy collaboration and making connections reflection and celebration the creative involvement of the teacher. Stimulating and accessible, with contemporary and cutting-edge practice at the forefront, Teaching English Creatively includes a wealth of innovative ideas to enrich literacy practice. Written by an experienced author with extensive experience of initial teacher education and English teaching in the primary school, this book is an essential purchase for any professional who wishes to embed creative approaches to teaching in their classroom.

The plan and purpose of this book is to provide educationally sound theories and creative activities in the teaching of English. This Third Edition retains many of the activities that were included in previous editions but also offers much new material based on the most current research and practice in English education. The book provides, in great detail, proven and tested measures for teachers to use to be successful in their instructional efforts. Major topics well described include creating an effective classroom climate, preparation for group interaction, teaching oral English, the teaching of writing, teaching literature, reading in the English classroom, teaching the English language, developing thinking skills, and creating the English curriculum. In this new edition, the chapters on reading and teaching literature have been completely rewritten and include sections on literature circles and Socratic seminars. In addition, the chapter on writing updates the research on assessment and the use of portfolios and also includes practice and theory concerning the use of writing workshops. All of the 'Additional Reading' sections at the end of each chapter have been completely updated with the most current resources on theory, research, and practice. The book's easy-to-read style with the large number of teaching strategies, programs, and effective classroom activities that have been proven successful make this an essential resource for the English teacher.

This revised and updated third edition offers a range of strategies, activities and ideas to bring mathematics to life in the primary classroom. Taking an innovative and playful approach to maths teaching, this book promotes creativity as a key element of practice and offers ideas to help your students develop knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the subject. In the creative classroom, mathematics becomes a tool to build confidence, develop problem solving skills and motivate children. The fresh approaches explored in this book include a range of activities such as storytelling, music and construction, elevating maths learning beyond subject knowledge itself to enable students to see mathematics in a new way. Key chapters of this book explore: • Learning maths outdoors - make more noise, make more mess or work on a larger scale • Everyday maths - making sense of the numbers, patterns, shapes and measures children see around them • Music and maths – the role of rhythm in learning, and music and pattern in maths Stimulating, accessible and underpinned by the latest research and theory, this is essential reading for trainee and practising teachers who wish to embed creative approaches to maths teaching in their classroom.

The fully updated second edition of Teaching History Creatively introduces teachers to the wealth of available approaches to historical enquiry, ensuring creative, effective learning. This book clearly sets out the processes of historical enquiry, demonstrating how these are integrally linked with key criteria of creativity and helps readers to employ those features of creativity in the classroom. Underpinned by theory and research, it offers informed and practical support and is illustrated throughout with examples of children’s work. Key themes addressed include: investigating sources using archives in your own research project becoming historical agents and history detectives drama for exploring events myths and legends communicating historical understanding creatively. With brand new chapters from the Stone Ages to the Iron Age, using prehistoric sources; The withdrawal of the Romans and the conquest and settlement of Britain by the Anglo-Saxons, in addition to many new case studies, this exciting edition puts an emphasis on accessible, recent research, new evidence and interpretations and encourages the creative dynamism of the study of history. Teaching History Creatively provides vivid and rich examples of the creative use of sources, of approaches to understanding chronology and concepts of time and of strategies to create interpretations. It is an essential purchase for any teacher or educator who wishes to embed creative approaches to teaching history in their classroom.

Offers ideas to involve your students and demonstrate the potential of creative teaching to develop children's knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes. Underpinned by theory and research, it offers informed and practical support to both students in initial teacher education, and practising teachers who want to develop their teaching.€ Illustrated by examples of children's work, this book explores the core elements of creative practice in relation to developing enthusiastic, passionate science learners.

Offering a brand new approach to teaching music in the primary classroom, Teaching Music Creatively provides training and qualified teachers with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively deliver a creative music curriculum. Exploring research-informed teaching ideas, diverse practices and approaches to music teaching, the authors offer well-tested strategies for developing children’s musical creativity, knowledge, skills and understanding. With ground-breaking contributions from international experts in the field, this book presents a unique set of perspectives on music teaching. Key topics covered include: Creative teaching, and what it means to teach creatively; Composition, listening and notation; Spontaneous music-making; Group music and performance; The use of multimedia; Integration of music into the wider curriculum; Musical play; Cultural diversity; Assessment and planning. Packed with practical, innovative ideas for teaching music in a lively and creative way, together with the theory and background necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of creative teaching methods, Teaching Music Creatively is an invaluable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students in initial teacher training, practising teachers, and undergraduate students of music and education.

Teaching Geography Creatively offers an innovative approach to geography education in the primary classroom, and is crammed full of practical approaches for bringing the teaching of geography to life. With ideas for exploring physical geography, human geography and environmental issues, it is a stimulating and enjoyable source of inspiration for all training and experienced teachers. Underpinned by the latest research and theory and with contemporary, cutting-edge practice at the forefront, expert authors from schools and universities explore the inter-relationship between creativity and learning and how creativity can enhance pupils' motivation, self-image and well-being. The importance of equipping children for a rapidly changing environment and the need to place learning in a values context are also stressed. With an emphasis on promoting creativity as a key element to developing young children's knowledge, understanding and enjoyment, Teaching Geography Creatively offers a range of practical strategies to enable teachers to take a fresh approach to geography teaching.

Teaching Physical Education Creatively provides knowledge and understanding in order to engage creatively with the primary Physical Education curriculum for both trainee teachers and qualified teachers. It is full of ideas for developing the teaching of dance, games, gymnastics and outdoor and adventurous activities in an innovative and engaging manner. With an emphasis on developing creative teaching processes by building from children’s curiosity, imagination and need to explore and move, it forges clear links between research and practice, and offers suggestions for developing exciting, engaging new approaches to teaching physical education. Key topics explored include: Physical Competence and Physical Literacy Creative ways to develop the teaching of dance, games, gymnastics and outdoor and adventurous activities Developing understanding of space, speed and dynamics Creative lesson planning Inclusive approaches and aspects of differentiation Teaching Physical Education Creatively presents the theory and background necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of creative teaching and children’s learning. Packed with practical guidance and inspiration for lively, enjoyable physical education, it is an invaluable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students in initial teacher training, practicing teachers, and undergraduate students of physical education.

Teaching Religious Education Creatively offers a brand new approach for the primary classroom and is crammed full of innovative ideas for bringing the teaching of RE to life. It helps teachers understand what constitutes a healthy curriculum that will encourage children to appreciate and understand different belief systems. Perhaps most importantly, it also challenges teachers to understand RE as a transformatory subject that offers children the tools to be discerning, to work out their own beliefs and answer puzzling questions. Underpinned by the latest research and theory and with contemporary, cutting-edge practice at the forefront, expert authors emphasise creative thinking strategies and teaching creatively. Key topics explored include: What is creative teaching and learning? Why is it important to teach creatively and teach for creativity? What is Religious Education? Why is it important for children to learn ‘about’ and ‘from’ religion? How can you teach non-biased RE creatively as a discrete subject and integrate it with other curriculum areas? Teaching Religious Education Creatively is for all teachers who want to learn more about innovative teaching and learning in RE in order to improve understanding and enjoyment and transform their own as well as their pupil’s lives.

Teaching Outdoors Creatively offers guidance and a variety of exciting ideas to suit the full range of primary schools and locations. Underpinned by current research and practical experience, it investigates innovative approaches to working creatively with children beyond the classroom. While recognising the diverse needs and opportunities that primary schools have to develop the outdoors as part of their curriculum, it presents a broad range of activities, philosophies and approaches. Key themes explored include: Understanding and using local and home environments Investigating streets and buildings in your area Planning fieldwork Using rivers to inspire children Forest schools Beach schools Physical education outdoors Learning through adventure. Teaching Outdoors Creatively supports teaching and learning in a wide range of settings, from schools in rural and urban areas, to off-site outdoor education centres and residential visits. With a focus on developing effective and stimulating learning environments for children it is a must-have resource for all busy trainee and practising teachers.