Slow Teaching: On finding calm, clarity and impact in the classroom

by Jamie Thom

Slow Teaching is a thoughtful exploration of how slowing down in all aspects of education can lead to improved student outcomes. It evaluates how this slow pedagogy will result in improved feedback, more nuanced and skilled classroom management and relationships, meaningful classroom dialogue, retention of knowledge and school leadership with attention to detail. It explores how to slowly deepen the craft of teaching to grow expert practitioners who are committed to mastering their practice. It also reflects on strategies that will enable teachers to feel calm, confident and organised in a profession that can often appear relentless.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2018

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the philosophy this brings to teaching and found many useful aspects. I like the level of simplification that it provides, whilst focusing on the most important things. If something doesn’t add to the learning experience then why do it? My favourite chapter and the one I’m sharing the most is the one on marking!

[Jon Margetts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest in a range of teacher development books from John Catt Educational is an interesting synthesis and exploration of the wide, whirling array of current educational thought. Branded under the guise of 'Slow Teaching', Jamie Thom's writing is deft, readable and concise. Sections in the book are helpfully separated to include most areas of the teaching in the classroom (modelling, teacher talk, behaviour management, etc.), with a few chapters dedicated to development and leadership, and a handful well-being. These chapters are further divided into small chunks, making for a pacy and engaging read that's easy to pick up and dip into at ease.

If you're a regular user of Twitter or tend to read widely anyway, then you'll likely be familiar with much of the material in this book. That said, the 'Slow Questions' at the end of every section act as useful prompts for measured and thoughtful reflection upon your own practice. Further, the book can still act as a useful cornerstone for departmental discussion, or even as a starting point for your own personal development. For example, if I've identified 'Literacy' as an area to improve within a coaching or mentoring session, then Thom's chapter on this would be an ideal primer for entering the topic with a mindset to exploring wider reading.

Overall: an indispensable book for the teacher development bookshelf; if you hunger for more depth, Slow Teaching will wisely prompt you to other areas.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book for anyone in the professsion, especially in the first few years which can be very hectic. Even as someone pretty chilled about my job, I still took lots from this book about how to slow things down for the benefit of the students, their outcomes, their view of adults and the leadership of my team. This is a very practical, calming read, perfect for summer. I highly recommend it.

[Amy Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book that talked at length about the importance of maintaining high standards and expectations, you would think there would be fewer typos.

[John Nowlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was working in the library with a student feeling sorry for myself when my eyes locked with this book. It was as if it was faintly illuminated by a cylinder of light from the heavens.

It is full of useful tips to help you enjoy teaching again and not get caught up in a frantic rush. Particularly helpful where the tips about posture in the classroom and dialogue in the classroom.

Very easy to read and understand.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought and a well organised book, both good to finish off now the holidays are here but also tough to do so on account of another fast-paced year in pedagogy. Hopefully I took enough of this on board to use and propel into my practice come September!

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always Room For Improvement.

I have been teaching for many years and found much to recommend in this book. It will be by my side throughout the coming year to aid reflection and improve my practice.
The 4 stars is for the typos in the kindle edition.

[James (JD) Dittes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thom's book has the feel of a long talk in the teacher's lounge with an experienced (but clearly not jaded) teacher. It's more about how to live as a teacher than how to teach--although there is plenty of good information on the latter subject, too.

I have been teaching for 20+ years, and I'm currently transitioning from ELA (Jamie's subject) to foreign language. Many of the lessons he mentions here I have learned the hard way: the paradigm of "great teacher" that so many of us envision as undergraduates is even more unrealistic than the paradigm of politicians set up by Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or TV series.

The answer to the hustle is slow teaching. Thom covers a lot of bases here, from professional development to getting enough sleep and exercise. But this isn't just a lifestyle book. There is plenty of pedagogy here, too. I enjoyed his chapters on questioning and developing rewarding student relationships.

Whether you're a new teacher or an experienced one like me, you will find much to enjoy in Slow Teaching.

[Wouter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jamie Thom summarizes many well-known works in Slow Teaching, but does not add a lot, if anything, himself. The 'slow' gets lost in the, for me, well-known concepts of modelling, spaced learning, assertive teaching, clean classrooms, peer feedback, and Sinek's leadership advice.

I hoped to find some insight into bringing more 'slow' in my day-to-day teachings, but all I got was a summary of my education bookshelf.

Also, for new teachers I would advice Thom's sources to read instead of Slow Teaching: Making every English lesson count, make it stick, the hidden lives of learners, making good progress, teaching like a champion, start with why, and why don't students like school?

I know reading all these works will go slower than reading Jamie Thom's book, but it will be more rewarding for your teaching and will prevent anxiety and stress better.

[Isabella Abigail Ow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. So full of wisdom and perspective. However, there are many typos in this book. The editing was quite poorly done. A good read for any educator. Quite inspiring, especially the 1st 3/4 of the book.

[Almachius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was this proofread?

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of these ideas were presented in my Classroom Management course.