Teaching Creative and Critical Thinking in Schools

Dr Russell Grigg is an Education Inspector for the Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi. He was previously Associate Professor at the Wales Centre for Equity in Education and has worked for many years in teacher education. His interest in the teaching of thinking was triggered by reading the works of Edward De Bono as a student in the 1980s. He believes passionately in fostering creativity in teaching and learning, which is reflected in his writing. He is author of many books and articles on primary education including Becoming an Outstanding Primary Teacher (Routledge, 2014) and Big Ideas in education: What Every Teacher Should Know (Crown House, 2016). He is co-editor of the Wales Journal of Education and has a particular research interest in the history of education in Wales. He is currently involved in research projects associated with the history of the inspectorate in Wales and the history of free school meals. Russell is a lifelong Swansea City supporter, through the highs and lows.

′The case for teaching thinking skills and promoting creativity within a busy curriculum is clearly articulated throughout this comprehensive and informative book. From reflections on the rights and issues on the well-being of children through to a thoughtful consideration of their future employability the authors highlight the importance of making space for thinking skills and provide examples of innovative classroom activities for all areas of the curriculum.′

• Chapter 1: What do we mean by thinking?Chapter 2: What can we learn from history of thinking, childhood and schooling?Chapter 3: Why teach thinking skills?Chapter 4: Thinking RoutinesChapter 5: Thinking HatsChapter 6: Thinking MapsChapter 7: Thinkers KeysChapter 8: Philosophical approachesChapter 9: Cognitive AccelerationChapter 10: Dispositional approaches (Habits of Mind)Chapter 11: Case StudiesChapter 12: Some concluding thoughts