The Learning Rainforest: Great Teaching in Real Classrooms

Really wish this book had existed when I did my PGCE. It's split into 2 sections. Part A focuses on educational research in a very accessible and succinct way, summarising research and debates on how and what students should learn (such as the curriculum debate, traditional/progressive paradigm, and more cognitive science and psychology based studies) I must stress how much I loved Chapter 5 on assessment. Tom tackles and simplifies the whole minefield- from basic in class assessment that teachers do without realising all the way to whole school tracking. One line that really resonated with me and will stick with me is for feedback to be effective "primarily there needs to be trust and good student-teacher relationships". I've been a teacher since 2005 and stopped teaching in 2014, but am returning next month. Part B has been a brilliant crash course in really simple yet timeless tips on creating a positive classroom ethos, establishing knowledge and then providing opportunities for a motivating, multi-faceted learning experience. The establishing knowledge section has so many techniques that I'm really looking forward to trying, such as the tips on promoting dialogic teaching (K5) and Say it Better (K10). These aspects of building knowledge structures in classrooms are often overlooked in teacher training courses therefore this section is essential for those who are in the early stages of their careers and are passionate about really getting subject knowledge through to students. Tom's passion for teaching really comes through and I wish he'd been my Physics teacher (was my worst subject!) I love the way he describes the importance of inspiring joy and wonder, and celebrate achievement as it's own reward. If like me, you are someone who just loves their subjects and wants your students to both love it and succeed in it, this is the book for you.

Teachers The Learning Rainforest is essential reading for anyone wanting to inform their practice with reference to the latest thinking and research, communicated by a consummate teacher who has a breadth of teaching and leadership experience within the English education system and beyond. If you want to cut to the chase, start with Chapter 6, which includes a brilliant summary of what constitutes great teaching, and then delve into the practical, "I can use in my teaching tomorrow" guidance in Chapters 7-9. Be warned though, you might be required to rethink some of your most beloved teaching habits. And that, of course, is the true value of the book. Once you have got your quick fix of ideas for your classes tomorrow, you will then want to go back to Chapter One to see where all this brilliant advice is coming from... Leaders and education professionals The Learning Rainforest is essential reading if you want to be part of the "education conversation" today. I love the way in which Tom is able to describe so well, and in such an informed way, the path through the contemporary education maze, so that I found myself constantly nodding and making positive approval noises as I was reading. (Much to the annoyance of my family...) Chapter One describes the experiences and influences that have informed Tom Sherrington's thinking and led to the school / classroom as rainforest metaphor. Chapter Two makes practical school based sense of the Traditional V Progressive debate, arguing and exemplifying how "they both have a vital role to play in a child's education". Chapter 3 provides thought provoking challenges as to what students should learn in order to empower them in the "conversation" of humankind. Chapter 4 is a great summary of the latest thinking in educational research, with rich references, grouped around Classroom Climate, Principles of Instruction and Memory, concluding with implications for teaching. Chapter 5 lays down the assessment challenge: minimise the time spent on "macro summative data tracking" for accountability purposes, and focus instead on developing authentic formative assessment to transform student progress and teacher workload. Chapter 6 onwards, see above... To conclude, this is a book to keep in your bag and refer to constantly.

I bought this book after a lot of my colleagues whom I work with recommended it. Always being up for a bit of CPD and reading, I gave this a go. I would say the contents of the book are very good for those that are relatively new to the profession, or those that feel as if they are losing touch with the teaching aspect and need to refresh their practice. Although this did not benefit me quite so much, it will others. Some very interesting concepts, particularly surrounding project-based learning and assessment for learning (and making that work for you).

I loved this book and Tom's informed, experienced and warm approach to writing. At the outset there is much that mirrors my experiences training and in the early days of my teaching which, whilst it never felt comfortable with me at the time I just thought this is what everyone did. This book has helped clarify my own experience and make sense of it in a way I haven't before. The book resonates with leadership in schools through his breadth of experiences and different contexts. This has enabled me to have more confidence in my leadership and belief that the students in my setting deserve the very best and highest of expectations. It has given me the confidence to trust in myself and not subject the staff to every T&L fad that comes by. to continue developing culture, building solid sustainable knowledge base and then exploring. A great book which should be compulsory reading and sent to all schools and training centres.

Excellent

What I most liked about this book was that it was circumspect. Far too many ideas in education suggest that they’ve found “the answer” and that what worked in one place will work everywhere. Sherrington compares learning to a rainforest and suggests that one needs a lot of factors working in order to achieve the best results. Well worth reading!

This is every working teacher’s dream book! Administrators will find it invaluable too. Sherrington does a wonderful job of compiling and distilling the latest educational research. A particularly noteworthy chapter entitled ‘What does the research say’ will save you hours of outside reading alone.Chapters are organised in a thoughtful and logical manner allowing for opportunities to dip in and out of the material as time allows. The level of research is impeccable and Sherrington has clearly reframed the thinking of today’s leading educational experts ( such as Nuthall, Wiliam, Willingham and many others) as well as adding many useful insights of his own. It is well written, with practical tips from a writer who has actually known what it is like to be in a classroom. Each chapter begins with helpful thumbnail summaries for readers ‘on the go’. Of particular further note, is the second section of the book which is dedicated to learning in practice. Every teacher in the profession today will find this section invaluable, even if they do not agree with all that is said. It is designed to provoke further discussion and ideas. This is a book I will be sharing with my whole faculty and recommend strongly that, if you are an educational leader who wants to generate rewarding faculty room discussion, you do the same. As a faculty member I only wish this book had been available to me back in the day. Simply put, it is the best book on how to think about teaching and how students learn that I have read in 2017.

The Learning Rainforest is an absolute gem...such a wealth of personal knowledge perfectly woven together with research and practical advice. This book provides a plethora of information on a variety of topics. Usually, this equates to a book that tries too hard to do too much, but this is not the case with The Learning Rainforest. Tom Sherrington also does a wonderful job of appealing to both the administrator and the classroom teacher. If you're a teacher looking to improve today's lesson or an administrator planning out a vision for the school year, this book is for you. Highly recommend.

I finished this book in two sittings, something that doesn't happen to me too often with non-fiction. As a school leader, it helped me cut through the false progressive/traditional dichotomy and see a way forward that combines rich, practical demonstrations of learning with a core curriculum of knowledge. Unabashedly polemic and iconoclastic, this is a practical, nuanced and intelligent book.