Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Brendan Lee, an expert in the Science of Mathematics teaching, shares his innovative model for mathematics instruction, rooted in education research. He emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices and describes how his strategies help educators support student learning. The discussion includes the role of pre-lesson planning, teacher collaboration, and the significance of ongoing professional development to enrich teaching effectiveness. Brendan also addresses the need for tailored approaches to meet diverse student needs, ultimately aiming for improved math comprehension.

Elliot Morgan, an expert in the teaching job application process, shares invaluable insights on landing your dream teaching role. He discusses the importance of school visits in evaluating fit and provides tips for crafting a standout application. Elliot also dives into effective interview preparation, introducing the STAR method for structuring responses. He highlights essential tasks teachers may encounter during interviews and emphasizes the need for authenticity and communication skills to shine in the competitive landscape.

Lloyd Williams-Jones, an expert in educational practices, and Christopher Such, a dedicated educator, dive into the complexities of primary education. They discuss whether summative assessment results should be reported to pupils and parents, emphasizing a broader understanding of learning. They also share tips for finding high-quality texts to enhance classroom reading strategies. Additionally, they explore the unique challenges Year 6 leaders face, from social media influences to SATs preparation, and stress the importance of a well-rounded curriculum.

Neil Almond, an expert on the significance of stories in education, joins Christopher Such, a knowledgeable figure on storytelling's impact, to explore the deep connection between narratives and learning. They discuss how stories hold a unique place in the human mind, enhancing memory retention and engagement. The conversation uncovers pitfalls teachers should avoid while utilizing storytelling in classrooms and emphasizes the benefits of structuring lessons like narrative arcs. They also touch on the interplay between storytelling and AI in education.

Neil Almond, an expert in English orthography, and Christopher Such, who focuses on morphology, dive deep into the complexities of the English writing system. They discuss how English orthography compares to simpler systems like Finnish and its relationship with spoken language. The role of morphology in literacy is highlighted, along with the historical evolution of words that shape spelling today. Teachers will learn essential insights into how these intricacies impact early reading and spelling instruction.

Episode 115: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty, Jonny Hall and Elliot Morgan for an in-depth exploration of task design, including key principles to keep in mind when designing tasks, how to tell they are going as planned, and what to do if they don't. As part of the chat we discuss... What are the features of a well designed task? What about a poorly designed task? How can you tell if something has just been thrown together with little thought? What are you thinking about when you sit down to design a task? How do you know if a task has worked as you’d hoped? And what do you do if not? ...plus much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Dan Rosen, a science practical expert, and Elliot Morgan, an insightful educator, dive into the essentials of effective science experiments. They discuss the vital purpose of practicals, emphasizing hands-on experiences that boost engagement and understanding. The duo highlights the importance of clear objectives, careful preparation, and teacher demonstrations to create a productive learning environment. Plus, they explore the challenges of integrating these activities into tight curricula, offering practical advice for educators at all levels.

Lloyd Williams-Jones, an expert in effective communication strategies for educators, teams up with seasoned educator Christopher Such to tackle the nuances of school-parent communication. They delve into why clear communication is crucial and how it can often misfire. The pair emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity, proactive dialogue, and simplicity in language to foster trust and engagement. They also discuss bridging socioeconomic gaps in parental involvement, showcasing strategies to enhance collaboration and support for all students.

Episode 112: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Lisa Coe, Shannen Doherty and Sarah Farrell for an in-depth exploration of multiplication tables, the fallout from the first official multiplication check in England and how we can support all pupils in developing automaticity and understanding in this area of mathematics. As part of the chat we discuss... 1. With regards to multiplication tables what comes first, knowing or understanding? 2. What systems or approaches should and can we put in place to help pupils learn about multiplication tables? 3. What did you think of the outcomes of the MTC this year (2022) Is there anything you’d change on a school or systemic level as a result? 4. If we imagine that the MTC is a suitable proxy for pupils knowing their times tables, what would you change on a systemic level so that more than 27% can be considered to know their times tables at the end of Year 4? 5. If pupils are struggling to develop quick or even derivative recall of multiplication facts what can we put in place to support them? ...plus much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Episode 111: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Chris Such and Neil Almond for an in-depth exploration of teaching writing and how we can support all pupils in becoming proficient, confident writers. As part of the chat we discuss... 1. What are your guiding principles for teaching writing? 2. To what extent does primary teaching of writing match these principles? 3. What role does modelling play in the teaching if writing and what advice would you give in this area? 4. There appears to be a bit of a trend towards a greater focus on sentence construction? What are the advantages and potential pitfalls of this? ...plus much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!