Best Selling Books by Jill Jesson

This informative book brings together theory, research and practice examples of creativity in primary schools, providing a scholarly yet accessible introduction. The book offers an overview for teachers looking for a concise guide to current thinking about creativity, particularly if your school is thinking of introducing or extending its practice. The book considers recent developments in the creative curriculum, and techniques embedded in approaches such as Philosophy for Children, Mantle of the Expert and Enterprise Education. Ideas for personalising teaching and creating independent and motivated learners are incorporated. Other key features of the book include: Examination of the major theories of creativity How to develop your own creativity as a teacher Focus on the difference between developing group and individual creativity Innovative ideas for creativity in subject teaching Practical examples and ‘Creative Challenges’ throughout The book draws on the author''s many years of experience of working with children in schools, working on Creative Partnerships and Higher Education in the Arts (HEARTS) projects and ideas developed through working in initial teacher training. This book is essential reading for students in the early stages of their teacher training course as well as for practising teachers looking for innovative ideas and guidance on developing creativity in themselves and their classrooms. “This is an interesting book, which explores theory, practice and policy of creativity in the primary classroom. Jill Jesson links five key creative behaviours drawn together initially by (then) policymakers QCA, with what she identifies as six areas of creative endeavour. Primary teachers committed to developing a ‘creative curriculum’ will find much material in this lively book that supports their personal and professional creativity, as well as suggestions for classroom practice in developing individual and group work.” Professor Anna Craft, University of Exeter and The Open University, UK “This is a compulsory read for all those interested in developing the creative potential of young people in primary schools. It includes a useful overview of previous thinking on creativity and makes a convincing case for its importance across the curriculum. Above all, this book is jam-packed with practical ideas. Whether you are interested in creative approaches to maths or modern languages, developing group or personal creativity, or the challenges of assessing creative endeavour, you will find a host of strategies that have been tried and tested in the classroom.” Hilary Hodgson, Director, Ormiston Trust

The literature review is a compulsory part of research and, increasingly, may form the whole of a student research project. This highly accessible book guides students through the production of either a traditional or a systematic literature review, clearly explaining the difference between the two types of review, the advantages and disadvantages of both, and the skills needed. It gives practical advice on reading and organising relevant literature and critically assessing the reviewed field. Contents include: using libraries and the internet note making presentation critical analysis referencing, plagiarism and copyright. This book will be relevant to students from any discipline. It includes contributions from two lecturers who have many years experience of teaching research methods and the supervision of postgraduate research dissertations and a librarian, each offering expert advice on either the creation and assessment of literature reviews or the process of searching for information. The book also highlights the increasing importance for many disciplines of the systematic review methodology and discusses some of the specific challenges which it brings. Jill K. Jesson has worked with multi-disciplinary research teams within the Aston School of Pharmacy, Aston Business School and with M-E-L Research, an independent public services research consultancy. She has now left Aston University and is working as a Consultant. Lydia Matheson is an Information Specialist working for Library & Information Services at Aston University. Fiona M. Lacey is an academic pharmacist, a member of the pharmacy practice teaching group in the School of Pharmacy, and Associate Dean in the School of Life and Health Sciences at Aston.

A complete ICT course for children from five years of age.

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.

A complete ICT course for children from five years of age.

A complete ICT course for children from five years of age.

A complete ICT course for children from five years of age.

A complete ICT course for children from five years of age.

Starter Award in ICT: Next Steps is one of three titles focusing on ICT for primary school children. Next Steps introduces children to the basic concepts of ICT and will help them to develop skills in this area. It is designed for use in the classroom and at home, and includes guidance for parents and helpers so that they can assist children who wish to practise their new skills on their home computers. All the activities in the book use the BlackCat Supertool CD-ROM, produced by Granada.

In this book for 8-9 year-olds, the cat and mouse team, Dex and Data introduce a simple, step-by-step approach to all the main uses of computers including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, using CD-ROMs, creating designs on computers and organising files. Along the way Dex and Data highlight shortcuts, offer tips and reinforce important points to help the reader create cards, posters and stationery; invent new games; designs badges and logos; keep records and accounts; write newsletters and learn from CD-ROMs and the net. The book is suitable for both Mac and PC. It is written for use with Microsoft Office and, by following the simple instructions, can be easily adapted for use with Claris or Apple Works.

Starter Award in ICT: Initial Steps is one of three titles focusing on ICT for primary school children. Initial Steps introduces children to the basic concepts of ICT and will help them to develop skills in this area. It is designed for use in the classroom and at home, and includes guidance for parents and helpers so that they can assist children who wish to practise their new skills on their home computers. All the activities in the book use the BlackCat Supertool CD-ROM, produced by Granada, as well as the readily available Microsoft encyclopaedia Encarta.

Use ICT gives step-by-step instructions in ICT following the sequence of the QCA Scheme of Work. Each unit covers a particular skill and features cross curricula activities for one core and one foundation subject. The books can be used with or without a PC and feature an offscreen section in each unit.

Through easy-to-do projects you will learn what causes earthquakes, what fossils reveal, what causes stalactites and stalagmites, and discover how the world underground works.

Starter Award in ICT: On Track is one of three titles focusing on ICT for primary school children. Starter Award in ICT: On Track introduces students to more advanced concepts of ICT. Using illustrations and screen displays, it builds on keyboard skills and basic routines such as email, handling data, spreadsheet management, handling images and using the Internet. Features include: . clear step-by-step instruction in use of computer applications . stimulating activities . easy-to-follow format The book can be used in the classroom and at home, and includes additional guidance for helpers.

Using the popular medium of Microsoft Office®, the Cambridge ICT Starters series offers a complete ICT course for children from five years of age. Through lively activities, illustrations and screen displays, key skills such as how to make multimedia presentations are learnt.

In this activity book for 7-8 year-olds, which is intended to help parents support their child''s appreciation of how science relates to the world around them, the core content of the National Curriculum scheme of work for science is covered. It covers an introduction to the topic, practice and reinforcement of the core skills or concepts that are being learnt, simple tasks and activities that can be carried out at home and directions for the recording of activities.

In this activity book for 8-9 year-olds, which is intended to help parents support their child''s appreciation of how science relates to the world around them, the core content of the National Curriculum scheme of work for science is covered. It covers an introduction to the topic, practice and reinforcement of the core skills or concepts that are being learnt, simple tasks and activities that can be carried out at home and directions for the recording of activities.