Blue-Sky Thinking

Book excerpt: 'Blue-Sky Thinking' is a workbook designed for the modern classroom. It places a heavy emphasis on critical thinking skills and the development of a creative mind. Written for 11-16-year-olds, it enables students to enjoy the learning process while accelerating their development as students of life. It encourages the individual to compose life maps, personal mission statements, nutrition targets and mindfulness goals. It also features a lot of descriptive lessons, monthly revision exercises, composition work and quotes on living well.The technical aspects of English are covered comprehensively with punctuation, grammar and tense work throughout. These are approached in a student-friendly way and use mnemonics to make it easier for both student and teacher.One of the greatest assets of this book is that it has eight monthly modules and each module has individual lessons. This helps the student and teacher to look ahead and discuss what will be required in the short, medium and long-term.The poetry module takes the 'petry-fy' out of poetry and has a unique formula for great poetry that the students will find invaluable. It encourages the student to look for patterns and turns him/her into a poetry detective for the day.'Blue-Sky Thinking' throws down a challenge for the student while making the teacher's life so much easier. All the answers to these workbook exercises are in the 'Teacher's Guide'. This enables the teacher to be one step ahead at all times while the students are active participants in their own progress.