BOOK REVIEWS

Gcse Maths For Neurodivergent Learners

ByJudyHornigoldandRoseJewell

Jessica Kingsley publishers 2022

At first glance this is possibly not a typical book to be reviewed for inTuition, but I felt it would be useful to take a look at it, and I was not disappointed.

In the further education and training sector, we regularly encounter students who are working towards their GCSE exams, and this book would make a welcome addition to any maths department bookshelf. It is a big book, but well presented, and, as its primary reader is the student, its contents are very accessible. It is also not obviously a traditional maths book, but the subject matter is instantly recognisable.

A lot of this book is very sensible with a positive vibe to it. There is a good introduction to neurodivergence, including some strategies to help with understanding why difficulties with this subject can arise.

Although aimed at learners, it is also clearly useful for educators and parents and has lots of suggestions in the second section for teaching the different areas of maths that students find challenging.

Overall this is an excellent book for any further education (FE) maths teacher who is teaching GCSE.

InTuition readers receive a 20% discount on this book with the code GCSETUTOR23 at uk.jkp.com/products/ gcse-maths-for-neurodivergent-learners (valid until 30 June 2023)

GREAT FE TEACHING: SHARING GOOD PRACTICE

BySamanthaJones

Corwin (Sage) 2022

This is a collection of case studies and highlighted practices presented and explained by a group of educators who are highly regarded in their fields, including regular contributors to inTuition. These practitioners are experts who are still teaching in the sector, and make a really inspiring and diverse group. Their passion for what they do is obvious and contagious. Just scanning the short biographies at the start of the book made me eager to read it.

This book is well organised, with each chapter set out in a similar manner, addressing the main topics of who the learners are, why they are learning, and what and how they are learning, followed by conclusions. It is a relatively easy read with insights and commentary from the editor added at relevant points.

Our reviewer is DR ANNE DAVIS MSET QTLS , who has worked as a sixth-form maths teacher and head of maths in south-east England. She is also a private tutor, teaching maths, chemistry and physics, specialising in the 16+ age group. She is a cycling and kayaking coach, with experience of coaching disabled athletes

THE MINDFUL TEACHER’S HANDBOOK

ByKamalagitaHughes

Crown House Publishing 2022

The immediate recognition that the modern classroom and lecture hall are high-pressure environments where educators need to put their own wellbeing first is an instant appeal for this book.

The author is an experienced mindfulness trainer and classroom teacher who quotes researched statistics about the seriousness of today’s mental health issues affecting learners and educators alike. She acknowledges the dayto-day demands on educators’ time, and also presents evidence showing that mindfulness can help with addressing mental health problems. However, she is also emphatic that it offers school and college staff a greater awareness of their mental health state, rather than an instant fix.

It affords the opportunity to gain nuggets of wisdom in fields ranging from maths and art to cookery and hairdressing, across a diverse range of learners in the further education and training sector. This is what FE is all about, and I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone in the sector.

InTuition readers receive a 30% discount on this book with the code UK22STFEGE at uk.sagepub.com

This book is aimed at those who are complete novices to mindfulness, as well as those who have some training but still need to maintain regular practice. It provides exercises that can be used to build up a regular routine, supported by explanations, case studies and led reflection opportunities.

Generally the ideas proposed in this book make a lot of sense and it offers a valuable way to tackle our everyday stress and worry, starting with our own minds and outlooks.

InTuition readers receive a 20% discount on this book with the code intuition20 at crownhouse.co.uk