Jumpstart!
John has recently written three books in the Jumpstart! series published by Routledge.
Jumpstart! Study Skills
Jumpstart! Study Skills presents a range of activities that enable children to learn how to work independently and with others, and to develop the study skills necessary to succeed in their schoolwork.
The activities provide opportunities for the children to learn:
- to plan how to carry out investigations and assignment
- to ask relevant questions, considering problems and suggesting how to solve them, predicting outcomes and anticipating consequences
- how to locate and collect information, carrying out research using the internet, how to gather information from books, using reading techniques such as skimming and scanning, and how to collect information by observation and fieldwork.
- how to sift and record data, for example, by taking notes and putting data on the computer
- how to analyse data and draw conclusions
- how to present and report their findings, orally and in writing, for example, making a power point presentation, making a video or doing a role play
- how to manage their time, how to revise and prepare for tests and how and to work effectively in teams
- how to evaluate and assess what they have achieved and to identify targets to work towards.
It includes a range of classroom activities that can be used by the class teacher to develop active learning in Key Stage 2.
This resource will enable children to develop the essential skills required to plan and carry out projects, researching and reporting their findings and consequently to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Jumpstart! Talk for Learning by Lyn Dawes and John Foster
Jumpstart! Talk for Learning offers games and activities for 7-12 year olds to promote children’s effective use of talk. Specifically written to help teachers with the direct teaching of talk skills required by the National Curriculum, it contains activities that can be used in literacy lessons and across the curriculum.
Children are encouraged to:
- participate in group and class discussions
- use exploratory talk and share a range of points of view
- use talk imaginatively to develop understanding
- develop individual presentational talk
- take part in drama sessions.
The book helps teachers to develop children’s ability to use talk so that they will understand one another and learn to work co-operatively to get things done.
Jumpstart! PSHE
Jumpstart! PSHE offers a wealth of practical activities for 7-12 year olds that will help teachers to deliver effective and imaginative PSHE lessons, encouraging children to:
- share their views on issues that concern them such as bullying
- begin to think for themselves and to make their own decisions
- be aware of the dangers involved in drinking, smoking and drugtaking
- understand their relationships with family and friends
- explore social issues such as prejudice and discrimination
- learn how to handle their emotions.
‘ No PSHE lesson should be prepared without first looking through this book.’ - Amazon book review.