Here is a little scenario: You are being observed by a senior member of staff. You hands are clammy and you are gritting your teeth through every minute of this …
Infectious Explanations
I have stolen this catchy title from the eminently likeable Mike Cladingbowl, OFSTED’s Director of Schools. You heard me right – top inspector praised for his sage words about teaching …
What is in a word? Etymology for Every Teacher
Etymology (noun) The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Etymology is often often considered the preserve of the English …
Breaking the Shackles of National Curriculum Levels
“We need to switch to a different conception of children’s ability. Every child, during Primary, being capable of anything, depending upon the effort that they have put in and how …
The Magic of Metaphor
Please take a minute to undertake the following little linguistic task. Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Write down a few sentences that describe yourself in a good mood. …
The ‘Halo Effect’ and Teacher Assessment
What if we are not the accurate judges that we think ourselves to be? What if our natural biases get the better of us, even when we don’t expect them …
Conducting Classroom Talk
What does the classroom of a great teacher look like and sound like? I imagine there are many answers to that question: from pin-drop silence, as students are abuzz with …
Multiple Choice Questions: A) Use regularly B) Don’t use
In the last couple of years I have become more interested in the use of multiple choice questions. I had never really used them with any regularity and considered them …
Curiosity killed by class?
When you become a father you get used to being asked endless questions about the intricacies of our complex world. The road is paved with unending questions. Why does this…? …
Mastering Boredom – The Secret to Success
Many a debate is sparked in education about the need for ‘engagement‘ in teaching and learning. Some dismiss ‘engagement‘ as the bastard language of OFSTED to encourage an adventure playground …