Developing the critical and creative thinking skills of students in our classrooms is a necessary culture that all teachers should foster. Not only does it underpin the syllabus outcomes and content indicators, but the ability to think critically and creatively, and to articulate that thinking to others, is a hugely valuable skill in today's world.

Supporting students to be critical and creative thinkers requires us as educators to be willing to build our capacity, to make small consistent shifts towards embedding practices and fostering a 'thinking' environment that welcomes questions, that celebrates multiple perspectives and is comfortable working in a space that requires depth of understanding.

This book was written with the teacher and leader in mind and is a mix of foundational theory and practical strategies with tools you can take away and apply in your classroom or with your teams tomorrow. It is divided into five parts, with each component delving into key areas of embedding critical and creative thinking into practice.

Amid the discourse surrounding the controversial role of generative AI in education, Practical AI Strategies goes beyond the hype to explore the opportunities and challenges of the technology in K-tertiary education. The book looks past individual applications to explore the broader landscape of generative artificial intelligence, offering educators invaluable insights into its workings and ethical considerations.

Divided into six parts, Practical AI Strategies guides readers through the construction and ethics of generative AI technologies, navigates policy landscapes and provides practical strategies for using these technologies in education. Detailed sections on text and image generation provide a solid foundation for using generative AI, and prepare educators for multimodal technologies on the near horizon including video, audio and 3D generation.

Leon Furze prompts educators to engage critically with generative AI and consider the near future of this rapidly developing technology. He encourages readers to navigate this terrain with an open mind and a discerning eye, and stresses the need for educators to have the fundamental skills to work with generative AI.

The Pruning Principle offers a groundbreaking approach to educational leadership, drawing inspiration from horticulture to address the chronic issues of overwork and inefficiency in schools. The authors, Dr Simon Breakspear and Michael Rosenbrock, propose a radical shift from the culture of doing more to one of strategic subtraction, arguing that by carefully pruning away non-essential tasks and initiatives, schools can achieve better outcomes with less strain on resources and staff.

This practical guide provides a comprehensive framework for implementing The Pruning Principle in educational settings. It outlines the causes of current challenges, introduces the concept and mechanics of pruning, and offers detailed, actionable steps for creating sustainable work rhythms and decision-making processes. With its focus on achievable improvement and educator wellbeing, this book promises to be an invaluable resource for school leaders seeking to cultivate more-effective and balanced educational environments.

Dive into the definitive guide to nurturing self-regulated learners with Educate to Self-Regulate. Drawing from extensive teaching experience, research studies and school partnerships, Dr Shyam Barr presents evidence-informed strategies to empower both educators and students on the path to lifelong success.

Through three comprehensive parts, the book navigates from laying the foundations of self-regulated learning to practical classroom implementation and leadership initiatives. It is an essential roadmap for teachers to identify barriers to students' self-regulated learning and apply effective teaching approaches.

Whether you're an educational leader, teacher or someone interested in the field of human learning, this book provides invaluable insights and actionable steps to transform your teaching practice and empower students for success in an ever-changing world.

As classroom teachers know firsthand, it is critical for K-12 students to be able to extend their learning. But expecting all students to attain the same performance via generalized instruction is unrealistic. Educators must honor and leverage students' unique learning strengths to support students and expand their possibilities for success.

In Neurodevelopmental Differentiation: Optimizing Brain Systems to Maximize Learning, authors Andrew Fuller and Lucy Fuller explain that by understanding the brain's eight information-processing systems-(1) spatial reasoning, (2) perceptual and motor skills, (3) concentration and memory, (4) planning and sequencing, (5) thinking and logic, (6) people smarts, (7) language and word smarts, and (8) number smarts-educators can help students apply their processing strengths to areas that challenge them using individualized learning plans. With this approach, learners' growth is limitless.

Readers will:

• Study the eight brain information-processing systems and understand how developing strengths in these areas increases academic success
• Discover how to identify students' learning strengths and blockages
• Learn how to develop individualized learning plans to fit the needs of all students
• Review templates for recording and tracking student progress
• Contemplate reflective questions on the eight brain areas to determine next steps in their classrooms

There is a growing body of research concerning the important role of the school principal in cultivating a positive school culture. School culture influences all happenings in a school and therefore impacts on a school community and on an individual's behaviour, expectations and interactions with others. It follows that cultivating and sustaining a positive school culture should be one of the highest priorities for all school principals. To improve schools and student learning, you must first focus on the culture of the school.

Based on Australian author Michael Stewart's groudbreaking PhD thesis, this book explores the journey of a school principal in creating a positive school culture and presents research findings from a case study that explored the cultivation of a positive school culture from the viewpoint of the principal and the various stakeholders within the school. The results from this research indicate that the principal plays a pivotal and crucial role in the cultivation of a positive school culture.

However, the results also demonstrated that the principal cannot do this alone, as many other members of the school community contribute to a school's culture. The principal's success in cultivating a school culture was found to depend upon his ability to unite the school community to work together to achieve the school's goals and vision. Results from the research indicated that the principal needed to use a range of strategies to cultivate and maintain a positive school culture.

The aim for this book is to assist schools in creating positive school cultures. It is designed to provide some assistance for people who wish to make a difference in their own workplace.

Dive into the depths of literary exploration with the Literary Analysis Handbook. Designed for high school students, this guide offers a roadmap to dissecting literary works and crafting compelling responses.

From learning to understand narrative complexities to decoding symbolic imagery, students will gain insightful tips and engaging examples to enhance their understanding of their English and literature texts. Whether exploring a timeless classic novel or critiquing a modern masterpiece, this handbook equips students with the skills to navigate the written word with clarity and finesse, transforming every reading experience into an opportunity for profound comprehension.

Teaching History: A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers offers educators a clear and concise guide to navigating the unique challenges of history education. Providing a balanced approach that combines practical strategies with thoughtful insights into the nature of historical thinking, it will help teachers develop both their understanding of the subject and their instructional techniques.

Grounded in current research and real-world experience, this insightful book covers essential topics from unit planning and assessment design to working with historical scholarship and sources. While invaluable for early-career teachers, it will be equally beneficial to veterans seeking a fresh overview of the curricular landscape in the context of history education. By emphasising the bifocal nature of history teaching - balancing historical and instructional thinking - Teaching History will equip teachers with the tools they need to create engaging, effective and meaningful history classes.

Unlock the secrets of cinematic storytelling with the Film Analysis Handbook. Tailored for high school students studying English and Literature, this guide is your ticket to confidently dissecting films and crafting compelling analyses.

From unravelling narrative threads to decoding visual symbolism, this book is full of insightful tips and engaging examples to elevate a student's understanding of film. Learn how to dissect a classic or critique a contemporary masterpiece. Navigate the world of cinema with insight and finesse, making every viewing experience an opportunity for understanding.

Guerrilla Tactics for Teachers is a life-saving, career-preserving, sanity-building guide for teachers. Based on over 30 years of research, it is an essential collection of behaviour management and learning enhancement strategies that will help educators at any stage of their career.

These are the methods that will help educators create and maintain calm classrooms that enable students to learn effectively, achieve great results, and still have a life. It provides the secret knowledge of survival in a sector that loses many great teachers to other careers when they decide it is too hard and walk away.

This book is ideal for K-12 teachers looking for concrete strategies that they can immediately implement in their classrooms. Incorporating recent research on effective classroom practice, Pearsall discusses how to quickly address low-level off-task behaviour before it becomes problematic - and how to de-escalate potential conflicts and address difficult behaviours when it does. Classroom Dynamics also helps teachers understand the reasons behind these disruptive behaviours, offering practical ways to quickly get to the heart of issues that might be affecting student learning.

This revised edition includes a new chapter focusing on demand-avoidant behaviours where Pearsall guides educators in the subtleties of dealing sensitively with situations in which even low-level instruction might lead to an explosive response from the student.

Grammar is not just a set of rules; it's the roadmap to clarity and expression. In a world where AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly offer assistance, mastering grammar lays the foundation for effective communication and personal style.

This advanced Grammar Skills Handbook is tailored for high school students, and it dives deep into the essentials: style, vocabulary and more. Master the mysteries of grammar, and unlock the secrets of language, writing and reading. This book will elevate any student's English skills and their creative voice.

Divided into three parts, this book delves into understanding connection, building sustainable practices and maintaining connection over time. It focuses on collective leadership and community engagement to equip educators with the tools and inspiration to embark on the journey towards creating truly connected communities. Whether you are a teacher, school leader or community member seeking to revolutionise your school culture or promote positive change in your organisation, The Connection Curriculum provides the path to make it happen.

In a time where Australian classrooms are grappling with a rising tide of student misbehaviour exacerbated by a looming teacher shortage, this book emerges as a beacon of change. Dr Christopher Hudson challenges the archaic disciplinarian approach, urging educators to evolve with the times and view behaviour as a skill to be taught, modelled and practised.

Leading Positive Classrooms makes a compelling case for adopting an educative approach to behaviour management with a focus on relationships. It offers practical insights and tools for change including exemplar conversational scripts, real-world strategies and reflection activities. This powerful resource offers a roadmap to shift the focus from managing behaviour to leading behaviour, ultimately creating a positive and transformative learning environment.

In the race to academic success, it's not just about how long you study, but how smart you revise. Scott Francis, passionate author and educator, unveils the Exam Skills Handbook, a roadmap for high schoolers to unlock their full potential. Delve into the secrets of using your class time, developing study skills, making the most of the exam preparation block and performing well on exam day.

Tailored to senior students, this handbook is your ticket to a more deliberate, thorough and successful exam experience. With expert insights and practical strategies, you'll transform study sessions into power-packed learning routines. Say goodbye to inefficient cramming and hello to a smarter, more fulfilling academic journey. Get ready to conquer exams with confidence and make the most of your precious time, because life is too good for bad study!

With a focus on practicality and accessibility, The Next Word: AI & Teachers has something for educators at all levels. Nick and Matthew's straightforward approach and global perspectives ensure that educators from Sydney to Norway can effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices. Whether you're exploring innovative strategies or seeking to understand the impact of technology on education, this comprehensive guide offers the tools and knowledge needed to shape the future of learning.

This book draws upon Nick and Matthew's extensive experience in the field of education and has a clear objective: to explore the strategic and practical use of AI in schools, aiming to build AI awareness and capability for all students, staff and leaders in schools.

In Developing Executive Functioning in the Early Years, Dr Rosalyn Muir delves into the crucial yet often overlooked domain of executive functioning in young children. Drawing on more than 30 years of educational experience and rigorous PhD research, Dr Muir introduces the SOWATT framework - a practical toolkit for educators. This book bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering actionable strategies for developing executive functions such as self-regulation, working memory and cognitive flexibility.

Dr Muir's work is deeply rooted in contemporary educational goals, resonating with the OECD's vision of student agency and the Early Years Learning Framework. Through the lens of the SOWATT framework, educators are provided with concrete steps to cultivate these essential skills in the classroom. This book emphasises that all children - not just those with learning difficulties - benefit from the intentional development of executive functions. By presenting a holistic and accessible approach, the author empowers educators to transform their practice, ultimately setting up children for a lifetime of success and fulfilment.

Transform your approach to early childhood education by unlocking the true potential of play-based learning. In The Power of Play, educator Lili-Ann Kriegler provides a practical roadmap for embedding deep conceptual understanding into daily activities. This book, explicitly designed for early educators, emphasises that language is at the heart of learning. It outlines 7 dynamic learning zones to help you implement a highly effective play-based curriculum.

With real-world examples and evidence-based strategies, Lili-Ann empowers you to create language-rich environments in which each child can thrive. Whether through free play or guided creative exploration, this book equips you with the tools to ensure play is vital in developing the skills children need for lifelong success.

Work Smarter, Not Harder is a practical guide aimed at helping you maximise your academic performance while minimising effort. This book covers essential topics such as goal setting, efficient homework completion, memory techniques, essay writing, note-making, exam preparation and the importance of perseverance.

Andrew Fuller emphasises that while he can't eliminate homework or study, he can teach you how to work more efficiently and effectively. This approach is based on extensive research and trials with thousands of students, promising to help all learners achieve better marks and free up more of their time.