Product Description

Philosophy is what's left when science has answered all the other questions. Following the success of `Little Owl s Book of Thinking Ian Gilbert now introduces `The Little Book of Thunks`. A Thunk is a beguiling question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. The Thunks in this book cover most areas of human existence including truth, justice, reality, beliefs, the natural world, the human condition, art, beauty, existence, right and wrong, good and bad, life and death, war, religion, love, friendship and whether Marmite tastes nice. Examples include: If I borrow a million pounds am I a millionaire? Could a fly cause an aeroplane to crash? Are you man-made or natural? Do dogs believe in God? When you comb your hair is it art? The book contains a comprehensive introduction by Ian who guides you through the origins and uses of Thunks and how best to use them. Not only are they a fun way to develop thinking skills but they also hit all the right buttons in the National Primary Strategy 'Creative Thinking' strand where children are encouraged to: generate imaginative ideas to stimuli; look at and think about things differently and from other points of view;and 'ask "why", "how", "what if" or unusual questions'. A great resource for teachers to use in the classroom - and remember there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. How liberating is that...?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9147 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 104 pages

Review
Another gem from Ian Gilbert. Stimulating and enthralling. Without realising it I have been doing Thunks for years, as a parent, rugby coach and Open University tutor, helping my children and students to develop their own thinking. These statements will form the basis of my brain gyms, to stimulate mental skills and personal confidence. This is not a book to be left on the shelf, these THUNKS can be great for -thought for the Day in schools, colleges, the office, factory and ….. the kitchen at home. Enjoy the discussion. John Morris, JTM Educational Consultants --John Morris, JTM Educational Consultants

Two weeks in the Ardeche Mountains and gorges in France. Hot weather, excellent food, beautiful scenery and The Little Book of Thunks to review and what a pleasure it was too. What is a Thunk? The author, Ian Gilbert explains that a thunk is a beguiling question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you to start looking at the world in a whole new light? And what a fun read it was too! No boring evenings back at the tent swatting mosquitoes for me! Oh no! A game of thunks was in order. Firstly, a game of thunks is played with at least two people, (better with a group), secondly read out a thunk from the book, for example, Can you dream of a taste? Thirdly sit back, listen and learn on how people view their world. Best of all there are no right or wrong answers however, be prepared for some good debates and reasoning along the way. The Little Book of Thunks is an ideal book for the family to enjoy and originally aimed at the education sector for teaching staff to have a number of questions for encouraging pupil s thinking skills makes it an ideal mealtime conversation piece for the whole family. Questions such as, does a goldfish know it is your pet? And another two hundred and fifty eight questions as the author puts it to make your brain go ouch! This book is definitely worth a read, especially at those times when the old grey matter needs a bit of stimulating. Don t just leave it for family mealtimes, put it on the menu for the after dinner party games. Lets face it, makes a change from a game of charades. Ian Gilbert, definitely knows his stuff with this little gem of a book and I look forward to playing thunks more often. Hope you all get as much enjoyment from it as much as I did and I am sure it will be one of those that grace the bookshelf for a long time and makes a valued appearance from time to time. David Feakes, Whats Happening Magazine --David Feakes, What s Happening Magazine

This little book brings to life higher order thinking skills in the classroom with 260 gems for lessons and excellent ideas on how to deliver them truly irresistible for staff and pupils alike! Lyn Bull, Gifted and Talented (G&T) Consultant --Lyn Bull, Gifted and Talented (G&T) Consultant

Two weeks in the Ardeche Mountains and gorges in France. Hot weather, excellent food, beautiful scenery and The Little Book of Thunks to review and what a pleasure it was too. What is a Thunk? The author, Ian Gilbert explains that a thunk is a beguiling question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you to start looking at the world in a whole new light? And what a fun read it was too! No boring evenings back at the tent swatting mosquitoes for me! Oh no! A game of thunks was in order. Firstly, a game of thunks is played with at least two people, (better with a group), secondly read out a thunk from the book, for example, Can you dream of a taste? Thirdly sit back, listen and learn on how people view their world. Best of all there are no right or wrong answers however, be prepared for some good debates and reasoning along the way. The Little Book of Thunks is an ideal book for the family to enjoy and originally aimed at the education sector for teaching staff to have a number of questions for encouraging pupil s thinking skills makes it an ideal mealtime conversation piece for the whole family. Questions such as, does a goldfish know it is your pet? And another two hundred and fifty eight questions as the author puts it to make your brain go ouch! This book is definitely worth a read, especially at those times when the old grey matter needs a bit of stimulating. Don t just leave it for family mealtimes, put it on the menu for the after dinner party games. Lets face it, makes a change from a game of charades. Ian Gilbert, definitely knows his stuff with this little gem of a book and I look forward to playing thunks more often. Hope you all get as much enjoyment from it as much as I did and I am sure it will be one of those that grace the bookshelf for a long time and makes a valued appearance from time to time. David Feakes, Whats Happening Magazine --David Feakes, What s Happening Magazine

This little book brings to life higher order thinking skills in the classroom with 260 gems for lessons and excellent ideas on how to deliver them truly irresistible for staff and pupils alike! Lyn Bull, Gifted and Talented (G&T) Consultant --Lyn Bull, Gifted and Talented (G&T) Consultant

Dr Betty Rudd, Education Psychologist
What a delight this little book is, which can be used as a basis
to build philosophical discussion.

H Bryn Williams, PGCE Director, Staff Development Officer, Coleg Meirion Dwyfor
A truly fascinating book that really generates deep thinking. ..
could be used to develop a range of generic skills with students of all
ages.

Customer Reviews

Amazing little book!
This book does exactly what it says. It makes you think!! Some of the statements at first glance can appear too obvious - but when pondered really do stimulate those grey cells. I gave this book as a Christmas present and it was very well received.

Thunk with a Clunk
Opening at random, first thunk spotted: Did Perseus cheat in the labyrinth? Well, no. Because that would be Theseus.

I was going to buy this to keep us all going on a family walking holiday but I don't think that would impress kids who've relished the story of the minotaur all through primary school.

hhmm...
nice idea but the book didn't really provoke much discussion in our household! i will wait to try it on my son when he is a little older. i suspect that children give far better answers than cynical adults anyway!