Product reviews for Opening Doors to Ambitious Primary English

Another thoroughly researched book from the inimitable Bob Cox, full of exciting suggestions and resources and supported by excellent classroom examples. The collaboration of experts who have worked with Bob to put this text together have drawn upon their own experience to provide an abundance of ideas which teachers cannot fail to be enthused by. Bob inspires us each to be ‘a teacher who learns and develops throughout their career’, who will  understand ‘when to intervene, when to change resources, when to apply new methodologies and when to be conservative’; in other words, a teacher who is reflective and responsive to the needs of the children, not necessarily shackled to the regime of tests and inspections. The recurring theme that struck me throughout the book is Bob’s absolute belief in the need for the teacher to be immersed, inspired by and knowledgeable about the text they choose. How many teachers ‘select’ a text because it’s what has always been used, or what the school curriculum has dictated, rather than ‘pitching high and including all’?

The whole book is peppered with real case studies written by enthusiastic (and sometimes surprised) teachers. It is impossible not to be carried along by their enthusiasm for the work they have been doing, inspired by the Opening Doors approaches. Also, throughout the book are so many recommendations for texts, teachers need look no further.

Taking and using the suggestions and ideas in this book, children and their teachers will be exposed to outstanding texts and through these, every possible required objective will be met without the need for tick lists. If fluency is a focus, this will be tackled. Vocabulary and spelling, too, are considered and addressed, not by arbitrary words of the day or spelling lists, but through the quality text, carefully chosen by the teacher.

Anyone familiar with the Opening Doors strategies and approaches will immediately recognise them here. For newcomers, the tried and tested methods are explained so clearly, all teachers will be empowered to introduce enriching English content to the children they teach.

For all reflective teachers looking to introduce their pupils to challenging and rewarding texts, this book is essential.