Teaching & learning – Amba Press

Teaching History: A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers offers educators a clear and concise guide to navigating the unique challenges of history education. This book provides a balanced approach, combining practical strategies with thoughtful insights into the nature of historical thinking, helping teachers develop both their understanding of the subject and their instructional techniques. Grounded in current research and real-world experience, this resource 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 - this book equips teachers with the tools they need to create engaging, effective and meaningful history classes.

365 Days of Play $39.95

Life is too short to take too seriously, so why not make every day a playful adventure? 365 Days of Play is your go-to guide for injecting joy, connection, and a whole lot of laughter into your daily routine. Packed with creative challenges, uplifting stories, and science-backed activities, this book is designed to help families, friends, and even solo adventurers rediscover the magic of play. Created by world-renowned play experts Dale Sidebottom & Paul Campbell from The School of Play, this book is more than just a collection of games, it's a movement toward a happier, healthier, and more playful life. From brain-boosting ideas and wacky movement games to gratitude reflections and kindness missions, every day brings a new surprise that will have you smiling, moving, and connecting in ways you never imagined. So, what are you waiting for? Flip to today's page, dive in, and let the fun begin! Let's play!

Classroom Vibe $34.95

Dr Timothy O’Leary is a firm believer that decisions about improvements, whether they be for a teacher or school, need to be based on fact, not fancy. In Classroom Vibe he uses data to demystify why some classrooms are primed for learning while others aren’t and explains why strategies for change in schools often fail. In breaking down the atmosphere of the classroom as experienced by the students – the ‘classroom vibe’ – he gives teachers practical steps for improving theirs. The author argues that when teachers focus their improvement efforts on the ‘vibe’ in each of their classrooms and school leaders focus on supporting their teachers in this endeavour, everyone benefits. He provides a clear framework that highlights how the culture of a classroom can determine whether important teaching strategies will succeed or fail.

Fast and Effective Assessment $55.00

What if teachers could dramatically reduce the amount of time they spend reviewing and correcting student work and actually see better results in terms of student learning? That's the goal of Glen Pearsall, who shares dozens of classroom-tested strategies that lessen teachers' workload while increasing students' class participation and improving their understanding.Readers will learn how to: Refine their classroom questioning techniques to continually check students' progress and provide instant feedback. Encourage students to internalize learning goals so they better understand what is expected of them. Use fast, formative assessment strategies to check and correct during class time. Modify traditional summative-testing strategies to monitor student progress in a formative way. Speed up the correction process via student self-proofing, representative sampling, and helpful technology tools. Engage students in becoming actively involved in assessing their own work. Drawing from his own experience as a teacher and coach, Pearsall offers practical, real-world advice in the form of techniques that are both effective and sustainable in the everyday classroom. The result is smarter assessment-for both teachers and students. * This title is a buy in and is for online orders only.

The Learning Classroom $39.95

Unlock the potential of every learner with The Learning Classroom, an essential resource for every educator that explores innovative strategies to make learning not only visible but also impactful and engaging for learners. Dive into the science of how students learn and discover how to implement evidence-based visible learning strategies that empower them to take ownership of their educational journey. Through insightful exploration of feedback mechanisms, self-reflection practices and formative assessment, this book provides practical tools to enhance the learning experience for all. Whether you’re an educator seeking to elevate your teaching practice or a school leader aiming to foster a culture of continuous improvement, The Learning Classroom offers a roadmap to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. With actionable insights and real-world examples, this book will inspire you to amplify your students’ voices, share their successes and cultivate meaningful learning experiences that last a lifetime. Join the movement toward a more transparent, collaborative and impactful classroom – where learning is not just an event, but a shared journey in pursuit of excellence.

The Teaching Game $34.95

Do you want to engage students, prevent disruption, and maybe even teach a decent lesson? The Teaching Game offers a very practical approach that can be applied immediately. You’ll discover how to manage a classroom, deliver curriculum, provide effective feedback, use data, plan for the next unit, write an assessment piece, teach students on the spectrum, and care for your own wellbeing. This book is for those who are: About to embark on their teaching career Thinking of joining the teaching ranks Wanting to further develop their teaching skills Mentoring early-career teachers

Gospel-Inspired Teaching and Learning $44.95

Gospel-Inspired Teaching and Learning introduces a transformative framework that uses a structured view of teaching and learning in Christian schools. This ‘gospel-inspired’ framework helps teachers to create meaningful and nurturing lessons that provide students with the tools and capabilities to flourish and experience life in all its fullness in alignment with God’s vision. The framework emphasises important facets of the educational process, such as fostering meaningful relationships, supporting and inspiring learning, making education accessible and engaging, unveiling the beauty of God’s creation, modelling Christian virtues, encouraging excellence and nurturing individual God-given gifts. Upon joining a missional Christian school, teachers embark on a profound journey of discovery, serving within a community and worshiping together. This journey involves personal and professional growth, aligning one’s gifts with God’s plans. It is hoped that the ‘gospel-inspired’ approach will be embraced and valued by educators and school leaders in Christian schools – and ultimately enrich the learning experience for students and their families.

The Collaborative Classroom $44.95

Unlock the power of cooperative learning with this comprehensive book. Packed with 50 practical strategies, each accompanied by clear instructions and adaptable examples, this resource equips teachers with the tools they need to seamlessly integrate high-impact teaching techniques into their classrooms. From setting goals to fostering positive interdependence, The Collaborative Classroom covers all the essential elements of cooperative learning, promoting active participation, collaboration, and engagement across diverse subject areas and grade levels. Whether in traditional or remote learning environments, educators can confidently plan and implement cooperative learning activities, preparing students for success in the classroom and beyond. Get ready to transform your teaching with cooperative learning strategies that truly make a difference.

On Character $34.95

What does it mean to live a life of good character? And how do we form such character in ourselves and those we teach? Character is how we live our lives as individuals and in community. It's how we strive to belong, fulfil our potential and do what is good and right in the world. It's how we wrestle with ourselves and the world to make a mark and measure up. Through the metaphor of the stonemason's chisel – making marks that are both distinctive and enduring – Dr Phil Cummins reveals character as the wrestling between who we are and who we might become. Drawing on decades of experience working with schools worldwide, he shows how we are formed through this wrestling, always the wrestling, in a life that might come, in time, to be both worthwhile and well-lived. A person of good character can be seen and recognised as one who pursues what is best, who seeks to know, love and do what is true and beautiful in the world. Yet for all our good intentions, we cannot ever quite be the best versions of ourselves, no matter how much we would like this to be the case. We need relationships of character apprenticeship that show us we are not good enough yet – and then help us to grow. Written with clarity, wisdom and a distinctively Australian perspective on equity and excellence, this essential guide challenges educators, leaders and anyone committed to human flourishing to embrace the formation of character for lives of purpose, integrity and service to others.

50 Cooperative Learning Activities $39.95

This book has been designed specifically to engage and motivate primary and secondary school students to think ‘outside’ the box, to create new ideas and to have fun whilst learning. These activities have been based on the following underlying principles: Children need to be involved in activities that are engaging, relevant and exciting. Children should have the opportunity to choose various thinking tools to complete and to present the required tasks. These activities can be incorporated into the 48-grid matrix which integrates Bloom’s Taxonomy and Multiple Intelligences.In this way, we will provide for the thinking skills and learning styles of our students.It is anticipated that the children will be encouraged to work in groups and to present their ideas through their ‘preferred’ multiple intelligences.

Play Matters $62.95

In this highly successful resource, Kathy Walker demonstrates the key principles of the Walker Learning Approach that she has developed over 15 years of observation, participation and presentation in schools and child care centres across Australia. Play Matters provides practical guidance and innovative strategies for teachers working with young children from preschool to Grade 2, through a unique balance of explicit instruction in literacy and numeracy skills and personalised, explorative learning. The book promotes the active engagement of all young children, with an enhanced focus on children from diverse backgrounds as well as children with specific needs. Play Matters is packed with pedagogical features to support implementation in any educational setting. It contains a full colour section of photographs. Organisational ideas and resources are provided, along with a comprehensive bibliography for further reference and advice. Download the Appendices documents for planning, assessment and reporting activities in Word or PDF.

Engagement Matters $61.95

Following the success of Play Matters 2nd ed., Engagement Matters is the next stage of the Walker Learning Approach for implementation with primary students in Grades 3-6. Engagement Matters provides a step-by-step, practical guide for teachers, emphasising student engagement, empowerment and achievement, and importantly, personalised learning. The transition from Grade 2 into the middle and upper primary years is made seamless through the provision of tips, activities and explanatory theory. Engagement Matters will equip schools with the capacity to actively engage students in their learning across all subject areas and diverse contexts. In doing so, Engagement Maters effectively lays the foundations for ongoing engagement and successful learning throughout the school life. The book contains a full colour section of photographs to highlight key themes. Download the Appendices documents for planning, assessment and reporting activities here: Planning Materials Editable Templates

Early Childhood Play Matters $61.95

Play-based learning has long been a means of facilitating teaching and learning in the early childhood years. The Walker Learning Approach, an Australian-designed, evidence-based play pedagogy, provides a solid base and foundation for intentional and responsive teaching in the early years. The program's systems and practices support teams of early childhood educators in a consistent approach that ensures continuity and predictability for children, educators and families. Early Childhood Play Matters provides guidance and many practical ideas on implementing the Walker Learning Approach within early childhood learning practices. Topics include: Intentional teaching How to minimise time spent on planning and documentation while producing clinical and professional records How to set up open-ended play learning experiences to promote skills How to scaffold with intention and purpose for learning How to communicate effectively as an educator How to honour and build relationships with children and families. It also includes organisational ideas and resources, a full-colour section of photographs, templates for planning, assessment and reporting activities, and a bibliography for further reference. Early Childhood Play Matters concentrates on the most formative years of education (birth to six years of age), with intentional, rich and rigorous play-based opportunities for young children. It builds upon the successful work that Shona Bass and Kathy Walker have achieved in play-based curriculum in the early and primary years nationally and internationally. Early Childhood Play Matters Resources Daily/Weekly Record Sheet Individual observation and planning record (IOPR) Statement of intent: Early Childhood Education generic planning indicator

Teachers, Students and the Law $36.95

Teachers, Students and the Law is an indispensable pocket-sized resource that guides primary and secondary school teachers through the many complex legal issues that can arise in school environments. Covering key topics including duty of care, cyberbullying, discrimination, privacy and family law, among others, the book provides concise, plain-language information in an easy-to-use format.This fifth edition incorporates revised and expanded information and references, including online learning and pandemic advice, with an up-to-date directory of national contacts and services.

Mindful Assessment $39.95

Mindful Assessment redefines how we think about teaching, learning, and assessment in the modern classroom. In this insightful and practical guide, Lee Crockett and Andrew Churches reveal how true learning begins when teaching becomes a response to students’ needs—rather than an end goal in itself. Grounded in six essential fluencies—core skills every learner needs to succeed in today’s complex world—Mindful Assessment provides a clear pathway for aligning teaching and assessment with inquiry-based and project-driven learning. Through practical examples, rubrics, and classroom-tested strategies, Lee and Andrew show how to move from grading tasks to cultivating growth. Both visionary and actionable, Mindful Assessment equips educators with the tools and mindset to create classrooms where mindfulness, feedback, and continuous improvement drive authentic learning.

Growing Global Digital Citizens $39.95

Growing Global Digital Citizens is a practical and visionary guide to transforming education through the principles of ethical and empowered participation in the digital age. Drawing on years of collaboration with schools around the world, Lee Crockett and Andrew Churches present a clear and actionable pathway for cultivating students who think critically, act responsibly, and contribute meaningfully in an interconnected world. This essential guide demonstrates how schools can move beyond traditional acceptable-use policies to embrace a culture of ethically driven digital citizenship. With practical strategies, resources, and assessment tools, the authors show how to embed global digital citizenship across every level of schooling—from elementary through secondary education—and extend it to educators and the wider community. Grounded in real-world practice and focused on developing the skills and mindsets essential for the 21st century, Growing Global Digital Citizens equips teachers and leaders to inspire a generation of learners ready to shape a more connected, compassionate, and responsible world.

Future-Focused Learning $39.95

Future-Focused Learning is the definitive guide to transforming today’s classrooms into thriving, future-ready learning environments. Drawing on years of work with schools across the globe, renowned keynote speaker Lee Crockett distils his experience into ten powerful shifts of practice, designed to help educators move from good teaching to truly exceptional learning. With practical clarity and a focus on immediate impact, Lee introduces simple microshifts you can apply right away, regardless of your curriculum or teaching style. These proven strategies make it easy to create more student-centred, inquiry-driven classrooms that foster authentic learning for every kind of learner. Packed with over 50 classroom-tested examples, Future-Focused Learning provides educators with a clear roadmap for implementing change at any scale. You’ll also discover the six essential fluencies—core skills that empower students with creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability in an ever-changing world. From project-based learning and essential questions to STEM education and digital fluency, Lee offers a compelling vision of what learning can—and must—become. Future-Focused Learning is both a practical handbook and an inspiring call to action for educators ready to build classrooms that prepare students not just to learn for the future, but to shape it.

Agents to Agency $44.95

Agents to Agency is a compelling, practice-driven guide to transforming learning by empowering learners to take true ownership of their growth. Drawing on decades of work with hundreds of schools around the world, renowned author and speaker Lee Crockett reveals proven strategies for shifting the responsibility for learning from teachers to learners—creating classrooms where curiosity, autonomy, and agency thrive. With clear explanations, insightful reflections, and real-world examples, Agents to Agency shows you exactly how to cultivate the mindsets and practices that foster genuine learner agency. Each chapter breaks down complex ideas into practical steps you can apply immediately, helping you transform both teaching and learning. In the final chapters, Lee introduces a series of practical continuums—powerful tools for guiding, facilitating, and measuring the progression of learner agency in any educational setting. The result is an inspiring and actionable roadmap for every educator ready to move from simply managing learning to truly empowering it.

Coming soon

Cued Articulation $46.95

Cued Articulation helps children to see a sound and hear a letter by the use of easy and logical hand cues. It is used by speech pathologists, speech and language therapists and teachers who find the approach helpful in showing phoneme-grapheme relationships and use it in the classroom to teach children the sounds of speech. The book combines the previously separate Cued Articulation and Cued Vowels in one. It is a full-colour comprehensive description of Jane Passy's methods for teaching speech and language-challenged children and adults how to make the sounds required for articulate speech.

Teaching Sprints $42.90

Enhance teachers' expertise - in every term, every school year. Teachers and school leaders have ambitious goals, but improvement work in busy schools is hard. Eminently practical and field tested around the globe, the evidence-informed process outlined in this book will provide you with a framework for robust, sustainable and powerful professional learning.No matter your years of experience or level of expertise, Teaching Sprints will support you to enhance your expertise in a way that is sustainable on the ground.In Teaching Sprints, readers will find: three big ideas about practice improvement a detailed description of a simple improvement process advice on how to establish a routine for continual improvement * This book is a buy in so only available for online orders.

-6% sale

Alice Vigors bundle $79.95 $84.90

Get the Alice Vigors book bundle. The Thinking Classroom (published October 2022).The Learning Classroom (published May 2025).

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