If you’re planning to embark on a PGCE course, congratulations! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey that will challenge and inspire you in equal measure. To help prepare you for the journey ahead, here are five books that you should read before starting your PGCE course:
1) “The Art of Being a Brilliant Teacher” by Gary Toward, Chris Henley, and Andy Cope
This book offers practical advice and inspiration for new teachers. It covers everything from building positive relationships with students to managing workload and dealing with challenging behaviour.
2) “What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Psychology” by David Didau and Nick Rose
This book provides an introduction to the principles of psychology that underpin effective teaching. It covers topics such as memory, motivation, and cognitive load theory and offers practical advice for applying these principles in the classroom.
3) “Teach Like a Champion 3.0” by Doug Lemov
This book provides practical techniques for improving teaching practice, based on Lemov’s observations of successful teachers. It covers a range of topics, including questioning, feedback, and classroom management.
4) “The Secret Teacher” by Anonymous
This book offers a candid and often humorous look at the realities of teaching. It covers everything from lesson planning to dealing with difficult colleagues and offers valuable insights into the profession.
5) “Making Every Lesson Count” by Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby
This book provides practical advice for designing and delivering effective lessons. It covers topics such as planning, questioning, and assessment and offers a wealth of ideas for improving teaching practice.
By reading these books before starting your PGCE course, you’ll be better prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. These books will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to build upon throughout your training and beyond.
It’s important to note that reading these books is not a substitute for the practical experience you’ll gain during your PGCE course. However, they will provide you with a valuable perspective and help you to develop your own teaching style.
In conclusion, reading these five books before starting your PGCE course will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of effective teaching and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. So why not add them to your reading list today?