What is the book about?

Former Physics and Head teacher Tom Sherrington bridges the gap between research and practice by applying Rosenshine’s much talked about 10 Principles of Instruction, as well as demonstrating how they can be used to inform teaching and practices in the classroom.

Why read this book?

Guided by many of the conversations Tom Sherrington has had with school leaders and teachers, this book, accompanied with excellent illustrations, offers teachers a quick and easy way of engaging with the world of cognitive science. Tom Sherrington clearly sets out a number of different evidence-based strategies that can be used to enhance teacher training and professional development to help educators ensure that all students fulfil their potential.

Who is this book for?

This book will help school leaders as well as new and experienced teachers.

Evidence base

Tom Sherrington’s book is very evidence-based, such that he takes Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction and condenses them into four strands: sequencing concepts and modelling, questioning, reviewing material, and stages of practice. The work is well researched and draws on the very best from cognitive and educational psychology.

Usability

Coming in at just over 50 pages long (as well as the pages that include the original research), this book, which can be read in a day, presents a quick and easy way for teachers to learn about effective strategies that can be implemented in their classroom. Alongside this short guide, the book does also include a copy of the full paper outlining Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction; teachers can use this to further extend their knowledge or obtain extensive information on a particular aspect.

Tom also increases the usability of this book by splitting the strategies into four different sections, meaning teachers can dip in and out of it. This book is also accompanied with clear and concise illustrations by Oliver Caviglioli, which helps explain the evidence given in the text and expand the readers knowledge.

Usefulness

This book is particularly timely as the profession becomes more research engaged. It is clear and concise without being too simplistic. Having been a teacher himself, Sherrington’s experiences have allowed him to produce a book that resonates with all teachers, such that he focuses on the universal aspects of classroom practices.

Value for money

On one hand, the book is incredible value for money given the amount of ideas it covers and how applicable the concepts are. However, before you buy it you should be aware that is less than 100 pages (which include the replication of the original paper it draws on), so it has more of an extended booklet feel to it. It is currently available to buy for £8.55 on Amazon.

Pros

• Topical – This is the sort of book that many teachers will currently be interested in, given the drive to become more research engaged.
• Applicable – Gives teachers evidence-based strategies that can easily be employed in the classroom.
• Clear illustrations – This compliments the ideas being discussed well.
• A quick read – Particularly useful for the many teachers with a busy schedule.
• Recommended for both new and experienced teachers.

Cons

• The book may not be extensive enough for those looking to gain detailed knowledge about specific practices. However, it is a good starter.
• Given the quality of it, it is almost a shame that it does not go on for longer, as we would have been happy to read more from Tom about this topic all day.

Final thoughts

Being a former teacher himself, Sherrington recognised the need for a simple guide to bridge the gap between research and practice. This book therefore offers a wide range of useful and evidence-based strategies that teachers can implement in the classroom, accompanied by clear and concise illustrations. We highly recommend this great read!

Alternative books

If you have already read this book or are looking to expand your knowledge of teaching practices further, we recommend reading:

• The Learning Rainforest: Great Teaching in Real Classrooms – Tom Sherrington
• The Science of Learning: 77 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know – Bradley Busch & Edward Watson
• Why Don’t Students Like School? A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom – Daniel Willingham

Related resources

If you have limited time and are looking for something a little less comprehensive to read that will still allow you to make positive changes to your classroom, why not try some of our blogs. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• The Power of Self-Questioning
• Psychologically Smart Lessons
• How to Help Students Raise Their Game
• 9 Questions to Improve Metacognition
• How Do You Actually Develop a Growth Mindset?