How to Use Discussion in the Classroom: The Complete Guide

by Mike Gershon

Mike Gershon's teaching resources have been viewed and downloaded more than 2.6 million times in over 180 countries and territories. His books expand and develop his electronic materials, such as the Starter Generator, the Plenary Producer and the Assessment for Learning Toolkit. How to use Discussion in the Classroom: The Complete Guide gives classroom teachers everything they need to create brilliant lessons filled with great learning opportunities for all their students. The book is written by a practising teacher and is unashamedly practical. It contains a wide range of activities, strategies and techniques which teachers can use to create outstanding lessons. Everything in the book is generic, meaning it can be applied across the curriculum. The book is divided into two sections. In the first part, Mike outlines and exemplifies twenty strategies and techniques which every teacher can master in order to facilitate fantastic discussion. In the second section, he goes on to explain and illustrate forty different activities which can be used with any set of students to teach almost any topic. Every entry is founded on the premise that active, engaged learning helps all pupils to make significant progress. The 'How to...' series developed out of Mike's desire to share great classroom practice with teachers around the world. He wanted to put together a collection of books which would help professionals no matter what age group or subject they were teaching. Each volume focuses on a different element of classroom practice and each is overflowing with brilliant, practical strategies, techniques and activities - all of which are clearly explained and ready-to-use. In most cases, the ideas can be applied immediately, helping teachers not only to teach better but to save time as well. Each book goes out of its way to make teachers' lives easier and their lessons even more engaging, inspiring and successful then they already are. The 'How to...' series is great teaching made easy.

229 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2013

About the author

Mike Gershon is an expert educationalist whose knowledge of teaching and learning extends across the age ranges and the curriculum. His online teaching tools have been viewed and downloaded more than 2.6 million times by teachers in over 180 countries and territories. They include the now famous Starter Generator, Plenary Producer and AFL Toolkit, all available at www.mikegershon.com.

He is the author of 21 books on teaching and learning, including numerous bestsellers. All of Mike's work is closely focused on the practicalities of pedagogy; teachers across the world return to his toolkits and writing because of their relevance to the classroom and the immediacy with which the ideas can be implemented.

He is also the author of 8 books on thinking and work skills - the Gershon Business Essentials series. In these books, Mike brings his knowledge of business and thinking to bear on different aspects of working life such as time management, how to think creatively and how to deliver outstanding presentations.

Mike writes on teaching and learning for the Times Educational Supplement, trains teachers around the UK, acts as an educational consultant for various organisations and continues to teach at secondary level.