Books by Craig Barton

Here are the three maths books I have written, one I have edited, and a few novels from back in the days when I didn't know any better.

Contents

Tips for Teachers: 400+ ideas to improve your teaching keyboard_arrow_up
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Teaching is complex. But there are simple ideas we can enact to help our teaching be more effective. This book contains over 400 such ideas.

The ideas come from two sources. First, from the wonderful guests on my Tips for Teachers podcast - education heavyweights such as Dylan Wiliam, Daisy Christodoulou and Tom Sherrington, as well as talented teachers who are not household names but have so much wisdom to share. Then there's what I have learned from working with amazing teachers and students in hundreds of schools around the world.

Inside you will find 22 ideas to enhance mini-whiteboard use, 15 ideas to improve the start of your lesson, 14 ideas to help make Silent Teacher effective, seven ways to respond if a student says they don't know, and lots, lots more.

Each idea can be implemented the very next time you step into a classroom. So, whatever your level of experience, subject or phase, there are plenty of ideas in this book to help take your teaching to the next level.

Available from Amazon, John Catt Educational, and all good (and evil) bookstores.

Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain: Sequences and behaviour to enable mathematical thinking in the classroom keyboard_arrow_up
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Some students think mathematically. They have the curiosity to notice relationships, the confidence to ask why, and the knowledge to understand the answer.

They are the lucky ones.

Many others just 'do' maths. They look at a question, think about how to answer it, answer it, and then move on.

In this book, Craig Barton, maths teacher and best-selling author of 'How I wish I'd taught maths', offers an approach to help all our students think mathematically. It requires the careful sequencing of questions and examples, the role of the teacher, and the mathematical behaviour of our students. It has transformed his teaching.

Drawing upon research into the Self-Explanation Effect, the Hypercorrection Effect and Variation Theory, together with two years of developing this approach with teachers and students around the world, Craig describes exactly what this looks like in the classroom.

But be warned: not everyone agrees. Indeed, it is this very approach that led to Craig being labelled as 'the most dangerous and clueless man in maths education'. If that is not a recommendation to keep reading, I don't know what is.

All activities, diagrams and resources mentioned in the book can be found here.

Available from Amazon, John Catt Educational, and all good (and evil) bookstores.

How I Wish I'd Taught Maths: Lessons learned from research, conversations with experts, and 12 years of mistakes keyboard_arrow_up
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'I genuinely believe I have never taught mathematics better, and my students have never learned more. I just wish I had known all of this twelve years ago...'

When you speak to the likes of Dylan Wiliam, Doug Lemov, Daisy Christodoulou, Kris Boulton and the Bjorks, you are bound to learn a thing or two. But when he started his Mr Barton Maths Podcast, Craig Barton wasn't expecting to have his whole outlook on teaching and learning turned upside down. How I Wish I'd Taught Maths is the story of an experienced and successful maths teacher's journey into the world of research, and what it looks like in the classroom.

Along the way we meet practical, easy-to-implement strategies including Supercharged Worked Examples, Silent Teacher, SSDD problems, low-stakes quizzes, diagnostic questions, Purposeful Practice, self-explanations, harnessing the power of the hypercorrection effect, how to (and how not to) teach problem-solving and much more. No matter your experience, teaching style or favourite number, every maths teacher will find something to think about in this book.

Available from Amazon, John Catt Educational, and all good (and evil) bookstores.

The researchED Guide to Education Myths: An evidence-informed guide for teachers keyboard_arrow_up
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This accessible and punchy series, overseen by founder Tom Bennett, tackles the most important topics in education, with a range of experienced contributors exploring the latest evidence and research and how it can apply in a variety of classroom settings.

In this edition, Craig Barton busts the most damaging myths in education, editing contributions from writers including: Doug Lemov; Bob and Elizabeth Bjork; Mark Enser; and Claire Sealy.

researchED is an educator-led organisation with the goal of bridging the gap between research and practice.

Available from Amazon, John Catt Educational, and all good (and evil) bookstores.

Secrets and Mince Pies keyboard_arrow_up
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Secrets and Mince Pies, tells the story of a modern-day family over the four days leading up to Christmas, all of whom have a secret to hide. The darkly comic, contemporary novel is played out over ninety-nine short chapters, each one written from the view point of one of the main characters, giving a humorous and interesting insight into modern-day family life.

John is struggling to cope with his role as the modern-day father in an ever changing world; Angela is struggling to cope with the lack of support and complete ignorance of her husband; nineteen year old Lewis is back from university and feels ever more distant from a family who have never understood him; sixteen year old Gemma has grown up and wishes her family would realise; and ten year old child genius Bradley cannot understand why everyone does not see the world as he does. When Angela's parents and Gemma's mysterious new boyfriend come to stay, and the stresses and strains of the festive period begin to take their hold, tensions rise, tempers flare, and those well hidden secrets begin to bubble to the surface.

Available from Amazon in print and Kindle formats.

Tell me a story keyboard_arrow_up
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Tom and Jamie work at SuperSave supermarket. Variety is the spice of life, and for them variety consists of whether they will be on the pet foods aisle or in the freezer. With their lives seemingly going nowhere, and both needing money for very different reasons, Tom and Jamie decide to do what any normal pair of nineteen year olds would do – they decide to rob the supermarket.

Tell me a Story is a novel about what happens when two ordinary people try to do the extra ordinary, and the consequences it has for all involved. Along the way there are twists and turns, tears and laughter, and discounted dairy produce.

Available from Amazon in Kindle and print formats