Progressively Incorrect S5E17: Femi Adeniran on Explicit Math Instruction and Coaching for Better Math Teaching
Feb 16, 2026
Femi Adeniran, maths educator and coach behind the Beyond Good podcast, shares practical approaches to explicit math instruction. He talks about powerful lesson starts, quick diagnostics that keep momentum, live modelling and example sequencing, and bite-sized coaching steps to change classroom practice. The conversation also covers readiness routines and strategies for supporting struggling teachers.
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Establish A Readiness Routine
- Teach a clear readiness routine: say what pupils will do and what you will do for the next minutes.
- Enforce pens down, eyes on the board during modelling so students attend to the explanation.
Minimize Teacher's Extraneous Load
- Teachers' in-class actions consume pupils' attention; poor timing or board-work reduces attention to explanation.
- Effective teachers minimize nonessential actions so more working memory attends to new content.
Use Micro Redirections During Modelling
- Insert students' names briefly during explanations to check attention without breaking flow.
- Use micro redirections rather than long reprimands so modelling remains coherent.