The Book of Really Useful Information


Book Description

The Book of Really Useful Information provides a broad and fascinating education in 20 easy lessons, from great works of art to political leaders, literature that shaped society to basic science, and everything in between. This is an ideal book for anyone who spent their school days gazing out of the window and now realizes how much they missed out on. It provides a full and fascinating education that covers all key subjects. For clarity and ease of use, the book is divided into five days, Monday to Friday, and then subdivided into four single-subject lessons. Each lesson is based around the five w’s—who, what, when, where, and why—and poses questions such as: Who was Eric Arthur Blair? What happened to the Romans? When was the Big Bang? Where do laws come from? Why is evolution controversial? You can choose to dip into a lesson at random, read through a whole day, or start from the beginning and keep going to the end. Accessible writing and useful fact boxes will help you pick up the key points quickly, and summary boxes provide a concise review of each subject. And for that authentic school experience, each day in The Book of Really Useful Information ends with a test—except this time you get to mark it yourself. If you’re feeling brave, you could even get your kids to take the tests, too, to see which of you knows the most. So sharpen your pencils and get ready to quickly learn everything you need to know in the 20 lessons of The Book of Really Useful Information.




The Really Useful Physical Education Book


Book Description

The Really Useful Physical Education Book offers support, guidance and practical ideas for effective, innovative and imaginative physical education lessons. Underpinned by easy-to-understand theory, this second edition is fully updated in line with the National Curriculum for Physical Education at Key Stages 3 and 4 and provides a wide range of high-quality lessons alongside engaging teaching examples and methodologies. With an emphasis on inclusive physical education, it highlights the ways in which schools can re-design the curriculum to ensure maximum enjoyment for all pupils. Key topics covered include: • Planning, progression and assessment • Health and safety issues • Inclusive track and field athletics • Adapting activities to support SEND • Swimming and water-based activities • Alternative activities including street-surfing and combat sports • Introducing dance into the curriculum • Enjoyable gymnastics for physical literacy • On-site adventurous activities • Values-based teaching • Teaching accredited awards • Using new and emerging technologies The Really Useful Physical Education Book offers essential advice and inspiration for both trainee and practising teachers responsible for the 11–16 age range. It is a must-read for all those who want to make their lesson inclusive and fun whilst promoting a healthy lifestyle and enthusiasm for lifelong activity.




The Really Useful Grandparents' Book


Book Description

Flaps: Are you eager to spend time with your grandchildren, but anxious about what to do with them? The Really Useful Grandparents’ Book is the perfect solution. It’s a book that you can share with your grandchildren to discover the activities that will bring you closer and entertain you both all afternoon. Packed with information on the kinds of things a child will want to learn about from the world’s most dangerous animals to Mount Everest, from Alexander the Great to Henry VIII, this book will make learning fun and engaging. Is your grandchild more interested in hands-on activities? Learn how to play games and pick up hobbies that will have them all tuckered out by the time their mom comes to pick them up at night. Maybe you’ll plant a garden or play rugby, learn how to cross-stitch or play chess, write a rap or a poem, make a curiosity box, build a campfire, create a special playlist on your iPod and many other fun things which will truly enhance your relationship with your grandchild and leave both of you the richer for it. TONY LACEY has worked as an editor at Penguin for thirty years. He has two grown-up children, as well as two granddaughters and a grandson. ELEO GORDON also works in publishing. Her parents lived abroad and as a child she spent most of her holidays with her grandparents. Her grandfather was American and her grandmother Cuban and they met in New York and later settled in England. Back Cover: All grandparents are eager to spend meaningful time with their grandchildren but so often they are held back by the generation gap and aren't sure what they can do together that will be fun for everyone. Now, grandparents can stop being anxious about planning special time with their grandchildren and get involved the way they've always wanted. Whether they're looking for an activity or some impressive trivia it's all right here in this book. Some of the great ideas include: Learning and performing card tricks Starting a stamp collection Making a scrapbook Camping out in the backyard Playing chess Making Origami Having a Treasure Hunt and Making pancakes or baking meringues The Really Useful Grandparents’ Book includes simple directions and illustrations for all these activities plus a lot more. And on top of all the games and projects, it includes fun and educational conversation-starters ranging from every possible natural disaster to the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece. This is the perfect book for any grandparent who knows just how special it is to bond with his or her grandchild and is looking for ways to enhance and improve that relationship for years to come.




Homework Sucks!


Book Description

Can a crocodile spit? What does the Queen have for dinner? How do you measure a rainbow? Why is q always followed by u? Originally open for children to phone in with their homework issues, these days the ‘Homework Sucks’ segment of Simon Mayo’s award-winning Drivetime show invites listeners of all ages to send in questions they've always wanted to ask. Because the chances are a member of the very clever Radio 2 audience will have an answer. So now all you need to do is learn the contents of this book by heart. We apologize if, in the process, you become: a) smarter b) more interesting c) better at pub quizzes d) all of the above Got a question? Got a better answer? Join in! #homeworksucks




The Really Useful Book of ICT in the Early Years


Book Description

Practitioners and students wishing to know how very young children develop an awareness of ICT will find this text invaluable. ICT has arguably one of the biggest impacts on every-day 21st century life, so its inclusion in the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum reflects the need to encourage forward-looking practice in classrooms and nurseries. This book enables you to help young children develop their knowledge, understanding and skill in the use of ICT, with chapters from contributors with a wide range of practical experience. Full of ideas and new thinking, this practical guide shows you how to: promote independence in children's use of ICT through resources like digital cameras and role-play toys. explore the nature of creativity through ICT, using it to support the more traditional areas of art, music, dance and writing use ICT to enhance the physical and sensory aspects of outdoor learning experiences. harness the potential of ICT in reaching children with a variety of different learning needs, particularly those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, or autistic spectrum disorders. value children's home experiences of ICT and build on what they already know, and how to work with parents in developing their child's ICT capability. ICT can underpin all areas of learning for young children; this highly practical, inspirational and informative text is therefore relevant to all practitioners and students training in Early Years education.




The Really Useful Primary Design and Technology Book


Book Description

The Really Useful Primary Design and Technology Book brings together essential subject knowledge and pedagogy to support and inspire those planning to teach D&T in the primary school. Offering comprehensive coverage of the 2014 National Curriculum, as well as exciting ideas to extend beyond it, the book is packed full of everything the busy teacher needs to be able to develop children’s key skills and techniques, and a range of big and small projects to put them into practice. With crucial subject knowledge explained in detail, useful ‘How To’ guides at the end of each chapter reinforce the skills and technology covered with instructions for making a variety of models. Sets of lesson plans include information on the resources needed to support both more and less able children, and assessment guidance, ‘Top Tips’ and ‘Things to Consider’ provide extra help and inspiration. Key topics covered include: cooking and nutrition textiles and the design cycle IT control and monitoring mechanisms structures electronic systems the roles and responsibilities of the DT leader assessment of D&T. The Really Useful Primary Design and Technology Book provides all the information a new teacher needs to be able to teach D&T confidently, and with valuable cross-curricular links and photocopiable templates, even experienced teachers and subject leaders will find fresh inspiration for their lessons.




The Really Useful Physical Education Book


Book Description

This guide is designed to provide practicing and trainee teachers in the primary school with the practical, engaging ideas you need to teach PE imaginatively.




The Really Useful Elementary Science Book


Book Description

"Whether you are trying to answer the query of a child or just refresh your knowledge, this book provides a useful portal to science concepts and terminology. Written in concise language, with helpful diagrams, Jeffrey W. Bloom presents solid overviews of the most commonly encountered school science topics. Such a wealth of information gathered into one easily accessible place will make this an indispensible reference for the serious teacher of elementary science."--Bernard Ricca, Associate Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education, Saint John Fisher College




Thomas' Really Useful Word Book


Book Description

Travel around Sodor with Thomas, and learn new words as you go!




The Really Useful ICT Book


Book Description

The Really Useful ICT Book is a practical and easy-to-use guide to give you all the confidence you need to use ICT really effectively inside and outside the primary classroom. It makes clear how ICT can be taught as a standalone subject, and how it can be used easily and imaginatively to enhance teaching other subjects. Jam-packed with ideas and templates to save you time, this friendly handbook offers an introduction to: using ICT inside the classroom – including interactive whiteboards, computer suites, VLEs and e-safety using ICT outside the classroom – including word processors, laptops, data loggers and digital cameras when and how to use a wide range of software and hardware – from spreadsheet packages through to digital photography, e-portfolios and software simulation using ICT in all subject areas practical suggestions for using ICT in cross-curricular topics using ICT to develop teacher and pupil creativity using ICT for assessment and in your professional role. With an emphasis on developing children’s creativity and on progression from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, The Really Useful ICT Book is a comprehensive compendium of advice and inspiration for all training, newly qualified and experienced teachers, as well as those in support roles in primary schools.