Ian Gilbert

Written by Dr Alexia Barrable,Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning: Improving learning and well-being by teaching withnature in mindis an engaging and insightful take on how educators can deliver more outdoor- and nature-oriented learning opportunities for the benefit of their pupils' mental and physical well-

A great deal has changed in the word of education since Essential Motivation in the Classroom was first published in 2002.Then again, nothing has really changed at all: schools are still under pressure to raise standards, government ministers come and go along with various educational fads, initiatives and silver bullets, young people are still young people and teachers are still looking for ways to motivate their students to do their very best in the classroom and beyond. Which is why this new, updated third edition of Ian Gilbert’s bestselling and classic text is still very much needed. Complete with a new preface and especially written ‘Notes From the Future’ introducing each of the seven ‘keys to motivation’, this book remains what it always was – an entertaining and inspiring read, full of useful, practical advice ranging from motivational research from leading theorists to philosophical gems from Homer Simpson.For teachers in all phases and sectors of education around the world, this fascinating and highly engaging book takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of strategies, ideas and insights to help educators think again about classroom practice and school culture, and to look with fresh eyes at motivation, relationships and achievement in their classrooms.

A great deal has changed in the word of education since Essential Motivation in the Classroom was first published in 2002.Then again, nothing has really changed at all: schools are still under pressure to raise standards, government ministers come and go along with various educational fads, initiatives and silver bullets, young people are still young people and teachers are still looking for ways to motivate their students to do their very best in the classroom and beyond. Which is why this new, updated third edition of Ian Gilbert’s bestselling and classic text is still very much needed. Complete with a new preface and especially written ‘Notes From the Future’ introducing each of the seven ‘keys to motivation’, this book remains what it always was – an entertaining and inspiring read, full of useful, practical advice ranging from motivational research from leading theorists to philosophical gems from Homer Simpson.For teachers in all phases and sectors of education around the world, this fascinating and highly engaging book takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of strategies, ideas and insights to help educators think again about classroom practice and school culture, and to look with fresh eyes at motivation, relationships and achievement in their classrooms.

Little Owl's Book of Thinking squeezes years of research, teaching and experience into seven chapters, two owls and a whole forest of woodland creatures.

Written from the personal experience of a parent and his three children, Independent Thinking on Loss: A little book about bereavement for schools details the ways in which schools can help their pupils come to terms with the death of a parent. A child loses a parent every twenty-two minutes in the UK. Childhood bereavement brings with it a whole series of challenges for the children involved challenges they will deal with all their lives. The research shows teachers want to help, but don't know what to do. This book is a start. Written by Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert together with his three children, Independent Thinking on Loss is a personal account of the way educational institutions tried and succeeded, tried and failed and sometimes didn't try at all to help William, Olivia and Phoebe come to terms with the death of their mother. Several months after their mother's death, BBC's Newsround aired a brave and still controversial programme in which four children talked about their losses. This prompted Ian and his children to sit down and think about their own experiences and draw up a fifteen -strong list of dos and don'ts that could help steer schools towards a better understanding of what is needed from them at such a difficult time. The warmth of reception of this handout led the family to expand their advice and suggestions into what has now become Independent Thinking on Loss, the proceeds of which will go to Winston's Wish, one of the UK's leading children's bereavement charities. Ian, William, Olivia and Phoebe encourage educators to view death and bereavement as something that can be acknowledged and talked about in school, and offer clear guidelines that will make a difference as to how a school can support a bereaved child in their midst. They also explore how conversations and actions little ones, whole-school ones, genuine ones, professional ones, personal ones in the school setting can make an awful scenario just that little bit easier for children to deal with. Suitable for anyone working with children and young people in an educational setting. ?Independent Thinking on Loss is an updated edition of The Little Book of Bereavement for Schools (ISBN 9781845904647) and is one of a number of books in the Independent Thinking On series from the award-winning Independent Thinking Press.

Jackie Beere's Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning: Developing independence and resilience in all teachers and learners is a practical guide full of educational wisdom to help teachers make a genuine difference to the lives of every young person in their classroom. Foreword by Ian Gilbert. All the evidence shows that the most valuable asset in any classroom is the teacher at the front. No matter what changes are made to systems or to the curriculum, one certainty remains: children will be helped or hindered in their learning, job prospects, life chances and, indeed, happiness by the teachers they come across during their time in the education system. In this all-encompassing book on teaching and learning, Independent Thinking Associate Jackie Beere draws on her many years' experience as a teaching assistant, primary teacher and secondary head teacher to re-energise every teacher's passion for their profession. She champions both children and teachers as learners, and together with expert advice on how to instil the habits of independent learning in all pupils shares great practice that delivers outstanding outcomes for all educators. Jackie encourages teachers to embrace challenge and change, and suggests ways in which they can provide a model for their pupils when it comes to developing independence and resilience. She also offers expert guidance on how teachers can build rapport with their students and cultivate with them a sense of co-ownership of their learning journey so that they work hard, value their learning and fulfil their potential. Essential reading for all teachers and school leaders who wish to make an impact on the teaching and learning in their school. Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning contains some material previously published in The Perfect Lesson (ISBN 978-178135244-1) and The (Practically) Perfect Teacher (ISBN 978-178135252-6), and is one of a number of books in the Independent Thinking On ... series from the award-winning Independent Thinking Press. Independent Thinking on Teaching and Learning has been shortlisted for the Educational Book Award in the 2021 Education Resources Awards!

Can a robot be kind? Can you touch the wind? Is there more future than past? Since publishing The Little Book of Thunks over a decade ago, Ian Gilbert's 'beguilingly simple-looking questions' have caused brain ache across the world in children, young people and the wider school community. Born out of Ian's work in Philosophy for Children, questions like those posed above leave everyone thinking new thoughts about everyday life, love, the things around us and the world beyond. Whereas a right answer is a thinking cul-de-sac, a Thunk has no one right answer. And without that - and without the fear that many people have of coming up with wrong answers - all that remains is the opportunity for thinking, reflecting, philosophising, debating, thinking new thoughts and rethinking old ones. Such is the power of a Thunk. Now, for the first time, 50 of these probing provocations are presented in a brand new format - on a specially designed set of cards for use in a range of fun and innovative ways, both inside and outside the classroom. Caution: Reported side effects of Thunks include thinking, creativity, talking, arguing, changing your mind and brain ache. A complete downloadable list of suggested activities comes with the card set - here are a select few: - Stick a Thunk on a wall/board/large piece of paper and get the class to write their responses and why they think that way around it. - Allocate a 'Yes', 'No' or 'Other' response to individuals or groups before the Thunk is revealed. They then have to argue their case accordingly. - Give each pupil a random card. Give them 15 minutes to produce an artistic interpretation of the dilemma covered by their Thunk. Make a class Thunks display for use in future lessons. - Find some space, read out a Thunk and give the class the choice of standing on one side if they think 'Yes', the opposite side if they think 'No' and in the middle if they think 'Other'. Get each faction to come up with the reasons why the others are wrong, in order to persuade them to defect to their side.

A brain workout book for uncertain times. We are living in a world where facts don't count, certainty no longer exists and complexity means we never quite know what will happen next. To prepare ourselves better for such a world, we need a brain workout that isn't so much about finding answers as getting our heads around questions. We need The Compleat Thunks(R) Book. In The Compleat Thunks(R) Book, Thunks(R) creator Ian Gilbert brings together Thunks(R) from a number of his books as well as over 100 new ones, all designed to get you thinking, questioning, debating and arguing your way to a better understanding of how to survive in a world gone dangerously bonkers. Some of these Thunks(R) were previously published in The Book of Thunks(R), ISBN 978-184590092-2 and The Little Book of Thunks(R), ISBN 978-184590062-5. Thunks is a registered trademark to Independent Thinking Ltd.

Teachers around the world have found Ian Gilbert’s classic text Essential Motivation in the Classroom an inspiring and provocative read. This ground-breaking companion to the book is a definitive one-stop guide for teachers who are looking for inspiration into how his ideas can be put into practice in every-day classrooms. A truly lively and engaging resource, it scrutinises each aspect of Gilbert’s now famous ‘seven keys’ of motivation and provides a wide range of practical ideas, activities and launch-pads for discussion which can be blended seamlessly into your own lessons. Taking as its starting point the right of every child to an inspirational education that develops their values, attitudes and skills, this book provides you with the means to unlock even your most challenging of pupils and will act as a spring board for visionary learning in the classroom and beyond, Key ideas explored include: • Goal setting strategies• Students’ own intrinsic motivation• Preparing effective challenges• Developing multiple approaches to learning • Using physical activities to anchor learning • Helping students to understand themselves better and be better prepared for the world todayFor teachers of pupils at all ages and stages, this book is easy to follow, easy to ‘dip in and out of’, is conversational in tone, and has the potential to be a game-changer for any teacher wishing reinvigorate their pupils, colleagues and classrooms.

Teachers around the world have found Ian Gilbert’s classic text Essential Motivation in the Classroom an inspiring and provocative read. This ground-breaking companion to the book is a definitive one-stop guide for teachers who are looking for inspiration into how his ideas can be put into practice in every-day classrooms. A truly lively and engaging resource, it scrutinises each aspect of Gilbert’s now famous ‘seven keys’ of motivation and provides a wide range of practical ideas, activities and launch-pads for discussion which can be blended seamlessly into your own lessons. Taking as its starting point the right of every child to an inspirational education that develops their values, attitudes and skills, this book provides you with the means to unlock even your most challenging of pupils and will act as a spring board for visionary learning in the classroom and beyond, Key ideas explored include: • Goal setting strategies• Students’ own intrinsic motivation• Preparing effective challenges• Developing multiple approaches to learning • Using physical activities to anchor learning • Helping students to understand themselves better and be better prepared for the world todayFor teachers of pupils at all ages and stages, this book is easy to follow, easy to ‘dip in and out of’, is conversational in tone, and has the potential to be a game-changer for any teacher wishing reinvigorate their pupils, colleagues and classrooms.

Why do I need a teacher when I’ve got Google? is just one of the challenging, controversial and thought-provoking questions Ian Gilbert poses in this urgent and invigorating book.Questioning the unquestionable, this fully updated new edition will make you re-consider everything you thought you knew about teaching and learning, such as:Are you simply preparing the next generation of unemployed accountants?What do you do for the ‘sweetcorn kids’ who come out of the education system in pretty much the same state as when they went in?What’s the real point of school?Exams – So whose bright idea was that?Why ‘EQ’ is fast becoming the new ‘IQ’What will your school policy be on brain-enhancing technologies?Which is the odd one out between a hamster and a caravan?With his customary combination of hard-hitting truths, practical classroom ideas and irreverent sense of humour, Ian Gilbert takes the reader on a breathless rollercoaster ride through burning issues of the twenty-first century, considering everything from the threats facing the world and the challenge of the BRIC economies to the link between eugenics and the 11+.As wide-ranging and exhaustively-researched as it is entertaining and accessible, this book is designed to challenge teachers and inform them – as well as encourage them – as they strive to design a twenty-first century learning experience that really does bring the best out of all young people. After all, the future of the world may just depend on it.

Why do I need a teacher when I’ve got Google? is just one of the challenging, controversial and thought-provoking questions Ian Gilbert poses in this urgent and invigorating book.Questioning the unquestionable, this fully updated new edition will make you re-consider everything you thought you knew about teaching and learning, such as:Are you simply preparing the next generation of unemployed accountants?What do you do for the ‘sweetcorn kids’ who come out of the education system in pretty much the same state as when they went in?What’s the real point of school?Exams – So whose bright idea was that?Why ‘EQ’ is fast becoming the new ‘IQ’What will your school policy be on brain-enhancing technologies?Which is the odd one out between a hamster and a caravan?With his customary combination of hard-hitting truths, practical classroom ideas and irreverent sense of humour, Ian Gilbert takes the reader on a breathless rollercoaster ride through burning issues of the twenty-first century, considering everything from the threats facing the world and the challenge of the BRIC economies to the link between eugenics and the 11+.As wide-ranging and exhaustively-researched as it is entertaining and accessible, this book is designed to challenge teachers and inform them – as well as encourage them – as they strive to design a twenty-first century learning experience that really does bring the best out of all young people. After all, the future of the world may just depend on it.

Praise for the 1st edition: 'This is now one of my top five education books. .I was absorbed and uplifted by it and my own practice as a teacher will undoubtedly change as a result. Surely there can be no higher recommendation.' - Geoff Barton, Times Educational Supplement Essential Motivation in the Classroom is the definitive one-stop guide for teachers who want to know how to motivate children - and how children learn to motivate themselves. In the ten years since this book was first published, it has proven to be a best selling text that informs, inspires and amuses educationalist around the world.This fully updated and revised tenth anniversary edition continues to take the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the theories of teaching, learning and thinking. Ian Gilbert highlights the 'seven keys' of motivation, offering a range of strategies, ideas and insights to help learners become motivated from within.An entertaining and inspiring read, this book is full of useful, practical advice, ranging from motivational research from leading theorists to philosophical gems from Homer Simpson. Teachers in all sectors of education will find this book indispensable, helping them to change the culture of their classrooms and improve the effectiveness of their teaching.

Praise for the 1st edition: 'This is now one of my top five education books. .I was absorbed and uplifted by it and my own practice as a teacher will undoubtedly change as a result. Surely there can be no higher recommendation.' - Geoff Barton, Times Educational Supplement Essential Motivation in the Classroom is the definitive one-stop guide for teachers who want to know how to motivate children - and how children learn to motivate themselves. In the ten years since this book was first published, it has proven to be a best selling text that informs, inspires and amuses educationalist around the world.This fully updated and revised tenth anniversary edition continues to take the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the theories of teaching, learning and thinking. Ian Gilbert highlights the 'seven keys' of motivation, offering a range of strategies, ideas and insights to help learners become motivated from within.An entertaining and inspiring read, this book is full of useful, practical advice, ranging from motivational research from leading theorists to philosophical gems from Homer Simpson. Teachers in all sectors of education will find this book indispensable, helping them to change the culture of their classrooms and improve the effectiveness of their teaching.

A great gift book for possibly the most impossible person to buy for! The Book of Thunks will shake up your templates, rattle your thought routines and force you to think about things differently. A Thunk is a beguiling question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. So find a friend or family member, ask a Thunk, disagree with their answer (remember there are no right and wrong answers) and keep your brain working longer and better. If you typed the word run a thousand times would that be a short story? Warning: A few of these Thunks are unsuitable for use with children.

A Thunk is a beguiling question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. The author guides you through the origins and uses of Thunks and demonstrates how this powerful little book can develop philosophical thinking for all ages. Remember there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. How liberating is that?