The Education Continuum

Book Launch at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln

Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln are holding a launch for two of our titles, Relationships and Sex Education 5-11 and Teaching and Learning on Foundation Degrees, on Friday February 17th at 4pm.

Do come along to the launch to meet the authors and celebrate the publication of these projects if you can. The first 30 attendees will receive a complimentary glass of wine!

Alison Baker
Senior Commissioning Editor

Fourth edition of Getting the Buggers to Behave is out now!

Pedigree Chum, anyone?

To celebrate the launch of the new edition of this international bestseller, we're offering you the chance to win a copy and a mention on the companion website!

For those of you who’ve never read Sue Cowley’s prodigious bestseller Getting the Buggers to Behave, you won’t yet be familiar with some of the slightly zany tactics Sue employs to get her kids to listen, and actually enjoy listening. My personal favourite is ‘The Can of Dog Food’, which can be found on p.115 of the new edition:

Description:

This activity was originally used for design technology, and it shocks the students into paying attention. Of all the suggestions I’ve ever made, this has attracted the most controversy. Your teaching style probably needs to be ‘comic and quirky’ or possibly ‘edge of madness’ to pull it off. Prepare your can ahead of time: cut the base off the tin or split open the pouch carefully; empty it out and wash it well; chop up the Mars bars and mix this with the jelly; refill the can or pouch and fix it back together with glue or tape. (Note: an easier alternative is to swap the labels over between dog food and something more appetizing.) Explain to the class that the lesson is about packaging. Show the students the can of dog food, open it up, and then eat from it. Offer it round the class, to see if anyone will have a taste. You’ll get a lively reaction to this opening, but your students will eventually quieten down to hear what you have to say.

Have you ever used a slightly off-the-wall starter to get your students’ attention? If so, we want to hear from you! If Sue likes your idea the best, you’ll win a free copy of the new edition and a mention on the companion website. To enter, just email mwilson@continuumbooks.com with your ‘edge of madness’ story before 30 September 2010.

Melanie Wilson
Commissioning Editor (Professional Education)