Overall impression:
The book is a collection of stories from educators the length and breadth of the country. Stories which will make you laugh, cry, entertain and inspire you.
Who is the book for and what will they learn?
Chronicles from the Classroom has been written for everyone: new teachers, experienced teachers and those who are interested in knowing more about how the world of education works. Education professionals share their weird and wonderful stories, tips and more to leave you entertained.
Writing style:
The book is full of various styles of writing as it contains a collection of narratives from a variety of education professionals from a variety of schools, each with their own unique way of telling their own story. Including this article written by yours truly: ‘Take Care of Yourself’, Chapter 9.
What evidence does the author use to underpin their ideas?
Each chapter has a loose theme which you can dip in and out of. The narratives are ‘real’ stories from ‘real’ educators. Sarah uses social media to reach out to those in the profession to ‘tell’ their stories then collates them into something magical.
‘The life we lead in education organically creates amazing stories. As professionals, we enter the classroom and re-tread school territory that is both strangely familiar and disarmingly new; the story that unfolds there is already the sequel…The wonderful thing about teacher’ stories are how they can make us laugh, make us cry, raise our spirits and make us feel less alone. ’
A quote that resonates:
‘The very best educators are always a work in progress; teachers are always learning, growing and developing so that we can have evidenced informed understanding of what works best. It is essential that teachers continue to invest in their subject knowledge, taking time to learn from other teachers so that we can share good practice with one another.’
Additional comments.
Chapter 4 contains a series of anecdotes, incidents, memorable moments and scenarios that will leave you laughing and shaking your head wondering how, why and what on earth possessed you!
It includes stories about:
- A child jumping out classroom window
- A ferret
- Bees in the classroom
- A trip to Morocco
- Escaping sheep
- Using bench hooks and saws
- Those questions from pupils