This post is the result of a conversation with the great Alistair Gittner on Bluesky. We go back a way … More
Tag: education
How Reading Comprehension Happens
Clue: it all depends on your background knowledge. I think we all agree don’t we? Reading is the most important … More
Should We Explain a New Concept to a Class, or Ask Pupils to Read an Explanation Instead?
Could teachers make their lives easier by giving their pupils a well-crafted science explanation to read instead of explaining it … More
Reading for Learning or Learning for Reading?
Back in 2014, when I started this blog, I was a primary school teacher with a special interest in science … More
What Makes an Explanation in Science Lessons Effective?
A review of “Towards a framework for effective instructional explanations in science teaching” by Christoph Kulgemeyer (2019) This paper provides … More
“Lovely rich tasks” Vs “Tedious exercises”
Hands up if you’ve never set your pupils a block of practice questions that are all similar but slightly different. … More
Attempting to Make Sense of “Working Scientifically” in the English National Curriculum.
For years I have struggled with teaching “Working Scientifically” in science lessons. It is a core strand from Key Stage … More
Should We Use Explicit Teaching Approaches or Enquiry Methods in Primary Science: Does the EEFs New Primary Science Guidance Report Tell Us?
Last week (28th November 2023) the Education Endowment Foundation published its long-awaited Improving Primary Science Guidance Report. We now have … More
When colleagues recommend books to you that you find insulting and dismissive!
I’ve been recommended a couple of books by thoughtful, well-meaning colleagues who know I favour ‘explicit teaching’. These are books … More
A Reflection on “Science for Children” by Marilyn Fleer
Promoting Explicit Teaching while Holding Your Nose? I was recommended reading “Science for Children” by Marilyn Fleer by a colleague … More
Reading for Learning 