Product reviews for Teacher Geek

I am always on the look out for new techniques and ideas to try out in the lesson and have accumulated a number of different books over the years to that end. 

had previously brought "Don't Change the Lightbulbs" which Rachel had edited so I was eager to get my hands on her new book "Teacher Geek"

I have often been described as a teaching geek by friends and colleagues due to my interest in all things teaching and learning and my students have started to refer to themselves as my guinea pigs as I do tell them when I am trying something new or different. HOwever Rachel has taken being a teacher geek to whole new level in this book. 

From the very start Rachel doesn't tell you how to do your job or bog you down in extensive research to back up her ideas, instead she just uses her experience in the class room speak for itself. She doesn't suggest that if we all do everything that is suggested in the book that we will have outstanding lessons every time, but she does suggest activities and ideas that will help the students learn and progress in a more exciting and interesting way. This book seems to be more about igniting a teachers imagination and giving them the confidence to take a risk in their teaching, even if it does go wrong the first time round. 

Some of the highlights in this book for me and things that I am going to try in September include:

Entry Music: I love having music in the lesson and try to find ways of using it as more then just background. I have in the past used music as a timer for an activity, however I had not thought to use it as a way to ensure the students settle quickly. The ideas (and such a simple one) is to have a piece of music playing as the students enter the room, by the end of the piece they should have all their equipment out and be getting on with the starter activity. The music could link to the lesson or it could be something soothing for the more energetic groups or even something up beat to get the blood flowing.

Collages: I used to love making collages as a kid, so many Saturdays were spent around my Nana's kitchen table cutting and sticking and I had not thought to use it in my lessons for some time. This activity is create to find out what the students already know about a topic or their understanding of a concept. Also makes for some great display work. Rachel even shows how you could create these collages online if you have the facilities. 

Key Word Points: It seems like a constant battle to get the students to use key terms in their extended answers, they often explain around the term without actually using it. This activity means that key terms are given a points value, the easier it is to include the term the lower the point value. The students then write a response trying to get as many points as they can by using the key term in the correct way. These responses can then be peer marked and moderated and the point score awarded rather then a grade. 



There are so many more ideas that can be found in this book and if you haven't already got a copy then I highly suggest it gets put on your summer reading list.