About the Book
The book also shines a spotlight on the role of the teacher and how he or she can do the right things to get the absolute best from students.
Some of the best learning takes place when, rather than imposing on young people a pre-determined curriculum, you find the stimulus that is relevant and engaging for them and build from there. Then the curriculum starts to emerge in a way that simply hooks students into learning almost despite themselves. There is nothing for them to push against ('What's the point?!', 'This is boring..!') as they have helped shape the direction of the lesson in a way that makes it real and useful to them. All this without them even realising what is going on!
They have been 'lured into learning' and the process is shared with teachers in this book, with examples as to how it can be done and how the author has done it. Reading this book will support teachers in developing ideas that motivate everybody in the classroom, from infants to secondary and beyond.
Whether you're new to teaching or have vast experience you will find in this book inspiration to raise achievement, improve behaviour and enhance creativity in the classroom; and you will change the way you approach lesson planning forever.
Shortlisted for the Education Resources Awards 2013, Secondary Resource - non ICT category
Oops Book Launch, Waterstones, Sheffield, May 2012:
Photography by Jane Hewitt www.janehewittphotography.co.uk
About the Author :
Hywel Roberts has taught in secondary, primary and special settings for almost 30 years. He contributes to university education programmes and writes regularly for TES as the 'travelling teacher'. A true Northerner, Hywel deals in botheredness, creative practice, curriculum development and imagineering. He was recently described as 'a world leader in enthusiasm' and his first book, Oops! Helping Children Learn Accidentally, is a favourite among teachers. Hywel is a much sought-after educational speaker, an Independent Thinking Associate and has contributed to events worldwide. He also contributes fiction to prison-based literacy reading programmes developed by The Shannon Trust and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Since establishing Independent Thinking 25 years ago, Ian Gilbert has made a name for himself across the world as a highly original writer, editor, speaker, practitioner and thinker and is someone who the IB World magazine has referred to as one of the world's leading educational visionaries.The author of several books, and the editor of many more, Ian is known by thousands of teachers and young people across the world for his award-winning Thunks books. Thunks grew out of Ian's work with Philosophy for Children (P4C), and are beguiling yet deceptively powerful little philosophical questions that he has created to make children's - as well as their teachers' - brains hurt.Ian's growing collection of bestselling books has a more serious side too, without ever losing sight of his trademark wit and straight-talking style. The Little Book of Bereavement for Schools, born from personal family experience, is finding a home in schools across the world, and The Working Class - a massive collaborative effort he instigated and edited - is making a genuine difference to the lives of young people from some of the poorest backgrounds.A unique writer and editor, there is no other voice like Ian Gilbert's in education today.
Review :
A book of happy accidents and improvisations that would be a lovely addition to any teacher's bookshelf - Ian McMillan, Poet, broadcaster and comedian The voice of a true pioneer, clear and sure in the belief that teaching is an amalgam of so many things beyond 'subject knowledge'. The book races along at an almost breathless speed-just like the writer. Luke Abbott, Director of Mantle of the Expert Oops! is about principles. It's about a mentality that encourages us to drop the reins of rigid, boring schemes of work and instead create learning that is exciting and relevant! Jamie Portman, Assistant Headteacher, Campsmount Technology College Hywel Roberts' message is that engagement is the message and in delivering it he's sharp, he's intellectually underpinned, he's effervescent, he's the teacher you wished your teachers had seen teach. Phil Beadle, teacher, broadcaster, author If you want the children in your school to make great progress and remember you as a teacher who made learning fun, dip into this book for inspiration and ideas. Diane Heritage, Deputy Lead Associate, North of England National College This book had Hywel Roberts' inspirational stamp of wit and infectious enthusiasm running right through its core: I read the whole book with a huge grin on my face. Ruth Saxton - Primary School Teacher and Chair for NATD Whether you are a student teacher, NQT or school leader, this is a genuine guide to pushing your own practice. Dave Whitaker, Executive Deputy Headteacher, Springwell Community School Hywel makes the art of questioning, waiting and trusting learners to rise to the situation safer and less scary for teachers. Go on - try one or two of his ideas - they really work. Karen Ardley, Karen Ardley Associates It's no accident that Hywel Roberts - himself a world leader in enthusiasm - has written a must read book for teachers. Oops! brings together insight, pizzazz, wit and quirkiness into one happy place, it's a joy of a book written by a great teacher. Alistair Smith, learning consultant and author, www.alistairsmithlearning.com Oops! must be essential reading for student teachers. It is a dossier for practical teaching and describes the pedagogy of 'the buzzing'. - I am buying a copy for each of the team at school. Richard Kieran, Headteacher, Woodrow First School Oops! makes you smile, wince, laugh, and ponder ... and, most of all, think; think how enjoyable teaching can be if we invest in ourselves as teachers. Mick Waters, Professor of Education at Wolverhampton University
