About the author
Steve Bowkett's background is in teaching. After qualifying in 1975 with a B.Ed (2:1 Hons) in English he taught for nearly 20 years in Leicestershire High Schools (Y7-9) while simultaneously developing a career in writing.
His first book, published in 1985, was a Fantasy novel for pre-teen readers. Further early published work consisted of fantasy and SF for teenagers. He has since diversified into adult and teen horror, teen romance, mainstream fiction for pre-teens, fiction and non-fiction for younger readers, educational nonfiction, and poetry for all ages. To date he has published forty-six titles and numerous short stories and poems.
Steve went freelance in 1994 and is now a full-time writer and trainer. Over the years he has visited hundreds of schools to do storytelling sessions, run creative writing and thinking workshops, give talks about writing and run INSET courses on thinking skills, creativity, writing and emotional resourcefulness.
Educational books published:
Imagine That This is a compendium of around 100 creative thinking activities applicable across the age and ability range. Spiral bound, with many photocopiable pages. ISBN: 1 85539 043 4. Network Continuum Education (NCE and originally Network Educational Press).
Self Intelligence A compendium of activities, strategies and ideas for developing self-confidence, self-esteem and other aspects of emotional resourcefulness. ISBN: 1 85539 055 8. (NCE and originally NEP).
ALPS StoryMaker This teaching pack for KS 2-4 uses children's love of story and the structure of narrative to teach thinking skills and boost creativity. The manual itself explores and explains around 80 writing activities, which can also be used analytically to develop critical skills in terms of literacy, deconstruction and appreciation of text, etc. The manual 300 page can be bought as a stand-alone resource (ISBN: 1 85539 076 0) with a free interactive CD (NCE / NEP).
StoryMaker Catch Pack This is a follow-up to the first StoryMaker pack. The manual contains around 70 further ideas for developing writing, thinking and creativity, and here the focus is on Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction to address the issue of motivating boys. Again the manual is available by itself (ISBN: 1 85539 109 0) with a CD ROM or in conjunction with the Catch books of stories and Catch and Other Stories, Catch SF Minitales and Catch Horror Minitales. (NCE / NEP).
But Why? Developing philosophical thinking in the classroom This is a manual written by Sara Stanley with contributions from myself. The pack is a 'starter kit' for establishing a community of philosophical enquiry in your classroom. Intended for KS1 and KS2, the manual (ISBN: 1 85539 172 4) comes with four picture books and a dark retelling of Pinocchio by Sara and three books by me and Philosophy Bear and the Big Sky, Dojen the Wanderer and the poem If I Were A Spider. You also get a Philosophy Bear soft toy (also available separately). (NCE / NEP).
What's The Story? Games and activities for creative storymaking This book, for upper KS1 and KS2, is largely photocopiable and contains 40 ideas for creative writing. ISBN: 0 7136 5420 1 AandC Black.
100 Ideas for Teaching Creativity (ISBN 0-8264-8478-6) / 100 Ideas for Teaching Thinking Skills (ISBN 0-8264-8479-4) Continuum. INSET also available and 'Boosting Creativity in the Classroom'.
Boys and Writing (ISBN 1-85539-108-2) Network Continuum PocketPAL book and Practical Aided Learning A dip-in pocketbook of ideas. INSET also available and 'Creative English Lessons'.
Success in the Creative Classroom: using past wisdom to inspire excellence (ISBN 978-1-85539-216-8) This is a collaboration between myself, Roy Leighton, Trish Lee and Tim Harding. The emphasis of the book is to link profound ideas from past thinkers with new ideas in neuroscience and education, focussed into practical classroom activities. Topics covered include philosophical enquiry and reasoned dialogue, creativity and thinking, 'narrative intelligence', learning and remembering through song, further memory techniques, listening skills and peer group education. Ideas are applicable both to primary and secondary students. Network Continuum.
Emotional Intelligence (ISBN 1-85539-165-1) Network Continuum PocketPAL book and Practical Aided Learning A dip-in pocketbook of ideas covering relaxation techniques, developing sensory acuity, teaching empathy, developing emotional resourcefulness and 'dealing with feelings'. INSET also available and 'Relaxation, Stress Management and Emotional Resourcefulness'.
A Handbook of Creative Learning Activities (ISBN 978-1-85539-363-9) This is a refresh of my old book Imagine That. It's a user-friendly manual of practical activities suitable for KS2-4 to stimulate creative thinking, talking and writing in the classroom. Network Continuum Education.
Jumpstart! Creativity (ISBN 978-0-415-43273-3) Part of David Fulton's (Routledge) Jumpstart series, this is a handbook of over fifty interactive and multisensory techniques for developing mental flexibility and emotional resourcefulness in creative thinking. Sections cover creative thinking, questioning, reasoning, problem solving and wordplay.
Forthcoming:
- 100 Ideas for Creative Development
- 100 Ideas for Good Practice
(Both of these are written in collaboration with Wendy Bowkett and focus on the early years).