The Joy of Not Knowing: A Philosophy of Education Transforming Teaching, Thinking, Learning and Leadership in Schools

Product Description The Joy of Not Knowing takes every aspect of the curriculum and of school life and transforms it into a personalised, meaningful and enjoyable experience for all. It offers readers an innovative, theoretical and practical guide to establish a values-based, enquiry-led and challenge-rich learning to learn approach to teaching and learning and to school leadership. This thought-provoking guide provides the reader with a wealth of whole-class, easy-to-implement, malleable, practical ideas and case studies that can be personalised to the vision of each setting, age-group and curriculum. It brings together, as a whole-school framework, the strategies that have been shown to have the greatest impact on practitioner’s professional fulfilment and on children’s life chances, love of learning, intrinsic motivation and enthusiasm for wanting to know. The Joy of Not Knowingenables schools to launch the academic year with a bespoke JONK Learning to Learn Week that enables every student to succeeddevelops philosophical, creative and critical problem-solving and multi-lingual thinking skillsestablishes collaborative cultures of thinking, learning and leadership informs practice through active action research incorporates a values-led democratic approach to school lifenurtures school-pupil-family-community partnershipsDesigned for school leaders and practitioners at all levels and across all ages, this practical guide shows how all students can thrive and develop the dispositions of successful lifelong learners and global citizens. Review ‘This is a wonderful book packed with practical examples of how to build an authentic learning culture within an early years setting or primary school. The author draws upon his own extensive research experience as a teacher and headteacher in helping the reader to develop their own deep understanding of learning discovery, the importance of challenge and the insight of being able to explain thinking. This is a book to dip into and to delight in whether you are starting out on your career as a teacher or whether you have spent many years observing and learning with children. There is much here to remind us about the purpose and wonder of learning as a truly collective endeavor. I recommend this work to you and hope that as you are guided through the text by Staricoff you discover much that resonates with your existing philosophy and even more that spurs you not only to be inspired but to act.’Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of The Chartered College of Teaching‘The Joy of Not Knowing provides readers with a philosophically informed festival of teaching ideas and strategies to fundamentally rethink how to inspire and foster the curiosity of learners. Whether you are an experienced school leader, or a beginning professional engaged in initial teacher education, this book offers a thought-provoking guide to unleashing a radical classroom culture of engagement in uncertainty and nurturing a commitment to lifelong learning. Rooted in both pedagogic wisdom and practice rich exemplification, JONK moves from establishing values led principles and ethos to sharing structured models for personalised learning, cross-curricula development and whole school approaches whereby a love of learning becomes not only a source of pleasure and inspiration but a way of being and knowing.’Simon James Thompson, Head of Education, National Teaching Fellowship Award 2016‘If it is true that "the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled" then The Joy of Not Knowing is a bonfire. Marcelo Staricoff has produced a resource that is radical and reassuring, challenging and supportive. JONK offers a deeply thought out, integrated and coherent model that focuses on securing optimal learning for every member of the school community but particularly every child. This is a highly inclusive strategy that supports academic success, personal development and building cultural capital.’John West