We all make decisions all the time.  And then, having made them, we defend them – no matter how awful they were.

No matter how bad that decision looks in retrospect, it takes a very confident and self-possessed individual to say, “yes I got that one wrong.”

Instead the blame is put elsewhere.  It was “not my fault”.  It “couldn’t be helped”.  “Events conspired against me.”  We blame the environment, the individuals around us, and society, but rarely do we blame ourselves and the decisions we took.

Yet the fact is that it is quite possible to improve our reaction to the society in which we live, and through that our decision making – if only we can practice.

Which is why the copiable volume, “Life Games” exists.

The volume contains 50 different decision-based games that can be played in the classroom with anything from eight to 40 players from Key Stage 3 to the sixth form.

Each game is presented in the form of a single page of copiable teaching notes – normally with a separate set of student notes also provided.  Each also focuses on a theme, ranging from the working of the media to lifestyle balances, from government decisions and consequences to healthy eating, from stress to addiction.

In short, there are enough activities in this volume to provide more than a year’s worth of citizenship and PSHE education, taught and explored in a way that the students will find refreshing, engaging and meaningful.

Life Games is available as a photocopiable book or on CD Rom, and individual activities can thus be readily copied and distributed to students as required. The copies can also be shared with colleagues or given to supply teachers, without any fear of the original book being misplaced.

An extract from Life Games, ISBN 978 1 86083 718 0, order code T1730EMN, is available at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/pshe/T1730.pdf

Prices

• Photocopiable report in a ring binder, £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
  
• Both the Ring Binder and the CD £31.94 plus £3.95 delivery
  
• Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report…

• By post from First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct, Earlstrees Rd, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
  
• On-line with a credit card at  http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=558
• By phone with a school order number or a credit card to 01536 399 011

When ordering the book please quote the reference T1730EMN.

What is the most effective way of having my educational book published?

Twenty years ago the answer was simple: authors would just send their ideas for a book to a few publishers, and then wait to see if any of the books were published.

Digitalisation changed all that. Today fewer and fewer publishers are taking on new authors, and it can be a fruitless task to send out an idea to all the relevant publishers listed in a trade directory.

But there are still some publishing companies that are looking for books from writers. These tend to be specialist publishers, working with a specific audience in one specific field, and they tend to be publishers that are embracing the new media as well as publishing in printed form.

First and Best is one such publishing company, and we are indeed seeking authors who can produce volumes that will be purchased by teachers in secondary schools.

The books we publish often move across various media – they can be sold as printed copies, on CD with permission for the schools to put them on their learning platforms, and as downloads. But the one thing that all our books have in common is that they are copiable under licence by the school.

You can see exactly what we currently publish by going to www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk and look at the category headings down the left of the screen.  From there you’ll be able to read some details about any of the books that are of interest.  However I must stress that although we have some books for primary schools listed there, we are not currently looking to expand that range.

Our books are advertised through direct marketing – which means that we write to teachers who might be interested, telling them of the items on sale.  We also advertise on www.ukeducationnews.co.uk and other websites of a similar type.  Our authors receive a royalty of 10% on the price of each sale.

If you have a book that is ready to be published or if you have an idea for a book, we’d like to hear from you.  Just email Anne@firstandbest.co.uk with the following information:

• The proposed title of the book
• The target audience (eg GCSE history teachers, senior managers, administrators…)
• A contents list and outline of the book’s coverage
• A short extract from the body of the book (ie not the introduction).

I’m sorry to say that it is very hard indeed for us to make a judgement about a book just by hearing about it on the phone, so if you have any questions please do email me at the above address.  If you prefer you can submit your proposal by post, but please note we can’t return any materials unless you provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

You can write to me at Anne Cockburn, First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH

I look forward to hearing from you.

Anne Cockburn