We are all now familiar with the idea of schema: the mind-map diagrams representing knowledge and the relationships between items…
My ASE Talk January 10th 2019 – How to Teach Problem Solving in Science (with added Bar-Models!)
I have planned the outline of my ASE Annual Conference talk (Thursday 12.00). It may develop a little, but the…
Applying Efrat Furst’s Model of Building Long-Term Memory Representations
One of the challenges facing teacher is to know when to apply specific tasks to support long-term learning. I have…
My ResearchEd Ipswich Slides (Disciplinary Literacy in Science)
I had a great time at ResearchEd Ipswich on Saturday – and learnt loads (almost too much). Here are my…
Faded Support Terminal Velocity Writing Scaffolds
Explaining terminal velocity is a classic piece of GCSE writing. The cognitive demands are high: recalling the sequence; structuring the…
The Origin of Species Packet
Four years ago I adapted the first four chapters of Darwin’s The Origin of Species for my year 6 classes (see here).…
A Knowledge Curriculum, Informed by Cognitive Science with a Disciplinary Literacy Focus
Colleagues at Paradigm Trust are developing a KS1-3 curriculum. It is a knowledge curriculum, informed by cognitive science with a…
Characteristics of Science Vocabulary and Some Classroom Tools
I’m really excited to be part of a sequence of blogs – a symposium – on writing in science coordinated by Pritesh…
A Quick Translation of a German Year 10 Physics Exam
In 1992, I completed my physics degree. Out of a cohort of 80, less than 5 of us found physics…
The Privileged Status of Story – Energy – Audio Version
I wrote my book for novice physics teachers and I’ve had some very kind feedback about it. Chapter Zero in…
