Are you looking for a creative opening, energising middle or big finish to a lesson? then just pick out a relevant game, exercise or idea from this wonderful book and watch the fireworks go.
Failing that, just leave the room as you found it and head for your local hostelry where Dawn will be waiting with a patient ear, a packet of crisps and your usual.
All the ideas contained within this book have come together over ten years of experience, working with thousands of students in hundreds of schools.
Some are of Dave's own devising, some have been donated and the rest have been simply nicked under the user-friendly title of knowledge sharing, but all have been deployed with one vision in mind which is to shamelessly entertain whilst at the same time engaging young people in the creative arena in order to prove, as Socrates the Greek philosopher once stated, 'Life and learning should be a festival of the mind'.
About the Author :
Dave Keeling has been a professional actor for 20 years and a 'stand-up' educationalist for 18 years working the length and breadth of the country with teachers, pupils and parents. 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 :
aThe most memorable moments in education always happen outside the curriculum. Dave Keelings book is all about creating memorable moments, about teacher and class finding something to enjoy together, about shaking off both the shackles and the cobwebs of classroom activity. It could change completely the way a teacher teaches. There are so many ideas here that are guaranteed to improve the classroom atmosphere. I think absolutely every teacher will find something new and improving in this book.a
Johnny Ball
Bite sized chunks of innovative ideas guaranteed to give you and your lessons a new lease of life. Some of the ideas are true genius. It's packed full of motivational titbits to get your students' mental faculties racing, but the gift is that the kid's just think they're playing games, when the reality is they're learning to work cooperatively, thinking creatively and generally having fun. I've road tested a couple of these nuggets and whether you use them at the start, middle or end there's an energy generated leading to increased pupil engagement. Fun and most importantly, these nuggets work!
Pauline Tomlin, 'Deputy Curriculum Leader and coordinator KS3', Belle Vue Boys' School, Bradford
Dave Keeling describes himself as a astand-up educationalist' responsible for empowering and enabling young people to take control of their learning so that they may leave education already exploring and developing the skills required to cope with the 21st century and to be happy and successful within it. Keeling's motivation for producing this book was his own experience of school, which he compares to the Socratic ideal where life and learning is a afestival of the mind'. The result is this compact catalogue of practical activities that will engage even the most reluctant pupil or teacher. There are no chapters, only an index of 101 activities for different stages of a lesson, and themes like communication, concentration and creative thinking. For each activity there is an explanation of why and how it can be used. Keeling's humorous style makes everything easy to understand and he frequently offers the reader an insight into his own teaching experiences over the years. Not every activity in the book is new. Indeed, some are based on party games or TV game shows. What makes the book endearing to all teachers, however, is its small size, concise length and punchy content, which can be used at a minute's notice. Rocket Up Your Class is a teaching and learning resource which has-made it into my toolkit Everyone should have a copy.
Anna Reid, Learning & Teaching Update
David Keeling's vibrant and witty book blows a breath of fresh air up the backside of any classroom. I have been using some of his games and exercises in my university classroom, and can see the students engage more with one another and the material we're covering. They even ask for the games by name! The book is practical, immediately relevant and reads like you've put rocket fuel in your muesli. The essential balance of physical engagement, mental dexterity and focused challenges are applicable to all classroom situations and most importantly, fun. I feel like a better teacher using this book
Matthew Gray Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University
Humorous and thought provoking and aimed at a specific further education audience.
Marissa Bryan, Programme Leader HRM Courses, University Centre Croydon
I've really enjoyed reading Rocket Up Your Class, the activity ideas are useful for a gallery or community context as well as in the classroom. Learning can and should be fun especially when young people get to set the agenda, David's activities encourage participants to think deeply about issues that concern them but they're also about pleasure. With this approach young people enjoy taking part and they are motivated to take responsibility for their own learning. I love the athought grenades' where the facilitator drops in ideas or anuggets' to stimulate thought and discussion. I've worked a lot with David and I've seen lots of these techniques in action, students love them and even the most reticent individuals get involved in the debate. David's approach motivates all students to think and learn and doesn't simply teach to the 20% who are already motivated.
Esther Sayers, Curator for Young People's Programmes, Tate Modern
The most memorable moments in education always happen outside the curriculum. Dave Keelings book is all about creating memorable moments, about teacher and class finding something to enjoy together, about shaking off both the shackles and the cobwebs of classroom activity. It could change completely the way a teacher teaches. There are so many ideas here that are guaranteed to improve the classroom atmosphere. I think absolutely every teacher will find something new and improving in this book.
Johnny Ball, Science Enthusiast
