Publications - Christians in Education

The Whoosh Book

Summary: English teachers are always keen to explore new ways of motivating their pupils to engage with reading, both for learning and for pleasure. Literacy Activities for Classic and Contemporary Texts 7-14 is a practical, friendly book which uses the ‘whoosh’ to cover some of our best known classic and contemporary texts and offers a thoroughly enjoyable way for pupils to become part of the story, rather than just passive recipients of it. As an innovative and active learning strategy, the whoosh technique allows all students, regardless of gender, age, ability, learning need or command of language, to partake on an equal footing.

The Essential Charles Dickens School Resource

Summary: Charles Dickens is arguably the greatest storyteller in English Literature and his novels have been loved and respected for nearly two hundred years. As accurate reflections of Victorian society they are unparalleled. Vivid characters and realistic settings are created in the mind of the reader, all laced with Dickens inimitable humour, wit and lacerating political comment. This book aims to bring alive these characters and settings in the minds of children. It provides a comprehensive resource for children not only to learn about the literary heritage of the English language, but also to encourage them to create meanings from these classic stories through their personal, social and cultural experiences. The authors set each novel in context, providing a synopsis of the book, as well as characters, settings themes and symbolism.

Praise, Motivation and the Child

Summary: Anyone who spends time with children knows that praise works. It is a powerful motivator – praising children for good behaviour or good work builds self- esteem and self-confidence. Children love to collect stickers, certificates and rewards – so what better way is there to shape behaviour, encourage good work habits and produce confident learners? Teachers and parents alike know that praise is effective – we use it every day and we see the positive effect that it has on our children.

Learning with God: Daily memes for Christians in education

Summary: What is a Christian worldview? Can it be manifested in our work if we are educators who also happen to be Christians? Or should our faith remain a private matter, divorced from who we are as teachers? Through a series of daily thoughts, this book considers how our teaching and interaction with others is shaped by our faith when God is at the centre of our being. It reflects on a range of educational issues from a Christian perspective, demonstrating that our worldview as Christians already defines who we are and how we teach. It is not about the confessional teaching of Christianity: it is about being distinctively Christian, rather than uniquely Christian. It is about each and every one of us living out our faith and teaching our subject confidently from a Christian viewpoint. It is about understanding the biblical vision of our role, and it is ultimately about being faithful and confident disciples as we teach. We may never be able to openly share the root of our belief in a living God, but we will be committed to living out Christ’s commission to be salt and light in a broken world.