Happy School 365

LoveReading4Kids Says

Action Jackson's guide to motivating learners

This book has a really, important basic message that happy children will learn and be successful. It is packed with useful tips, interesting, stories and anecdotes. However, I feel what lets it down from the start is the cover which to me, paints the wrong picture and conjures up a cartoon style of children’s book. I am sure the colour and font are designed to complement the word ‘happy’, but does this work?

On a positive note, it is a very readable book, clearly laid out with some very helpful classroom tips. I particularly like the use of the acrostic technique of delivering messages, BIDMAS and READY on pages 113 and 117,being two great examples that would work as display material in the classroom.

The messages he delivers is so important, ‘make education relevant’, ‘embrace negativity’ and ‘don’t limit your challenges’ being particularly good examples. It is important to inspire and encourage. However, the British as a nation can be quite reticent and conservative, and to an extent negative about themselves.

I think chapters headed ‘you are amazing’ and ‘be in your zone of impact’ might be a little bit much for many staffrooms and deemed a little too ‘American’. I would say most of us would agree the sentiments and vision behind the book, we just need it delivered in a slightly less cliched and less patronising fashion.

Reviewed by Rosie Watch
Rosie Watch has taken her childhood passion for literature from classrooms in Cusco to Chelsea.
More reviews by Rosie Watch

About Happy School 365

From motivational speaker and founder of Fix Up Seminars, Action Jackson, comes an inspirational guide offering a tried-and-tested method that enables primary and secondary teachers to motivate young people and unlock their potential for success. Many learners are plagued with the fear of failure, anxious about self-image and apathetic towards the future.

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