Thinking like a writer
How do we get better at writing? By writing. The advice I always give to students to improve their writing is to write. Often. Everyday if possible. This might be a private diary entry, an Amazon review, an essay or, even better: a public blog post which someone might actually read. For years now I've been in the habit of writing with my students; whenever they have a controlled assessment [...]
What is meta-cognition and can we teach it?
Meta-cognition is one of those terms that gets bandied about in educational circles as if we all know exactly what it is. And we do: it's...er...thinking about thinking, isn't it? Ever since the Education Endowment Foundation cited meta-cognition and self-regulation as the second highest impact strategy teachers can use in the class room I've felt I should be a bit clearer about what it actually is. They describe it as [...]
Magic glasses and the Meares-Irlen syndrome
In case you missed it, I published a post on the dubious existence of dyslexia this weekend. A few people have been in touch via Twitter to tell me about the remarkable effect of Irlen lenses and that their miraculous success is clear evidence of the existence of dyslexia. Well, despite their apparent impact on some people's ability to read, I'm not so sure it has much of a bearing of on whether [...]
This is how I work
I was very excited to hear the accusation that I am (or might be) leading a 'cult of personality', whatever that means. To that end, and just in case anyone is interested, Dai Barnes has posted this interview with me on his blog (see also below.) If you're interested in joining any cults which I may set up in the near future, do please let me know. Oh, and any suggestions [...]
Does dyslexia exist?
Schools are packed to the gunnels (whatever they are) with students diagnosed with dyslexia. And, of the hundreds of dyslexic students I've taught, many have languished helplessly in the doldrums of illiteracy while some seem suddenly to make rapid and remarkable progress. This year, two students who were presented to me as dyslexic have experienced very different trajectories. One, let's call him Ben, had spent Years 7 and 8 being [...]
Teacher talk: the missing link
Back in 2008 I was told by an Ofsted inspector that I talked too much. I had always prided myself on being considered an outstanding teacher, and was devastated to be told my lesson was "satisfactory to good". My attempts to probe this judgement got little further; he offered no criticism of what I'd said or how I'd said it, just that I'd spoken for too long. This came as huge blow to my [...]
Livy living below the line
It's been some time since my last post and, sadly perhaps, this one has little to do with education. Instead it's a plea for support. From today Rosie and I along with our daughters (Olivia, aged 9 and Maddie, aged 7) will be living below the poverty line for 5 days to raise money for Oxfam and Action Against Hunger, and also to raise awareness of the fact that many folk just [...]
Mind your language – a language based approach to pedagogy
The most astonishing example of hyperbole ever! As the chap heading up Literacy at my school, I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking around the subject over the past year. I've become particularly interested in the need for oral language to develop written language and have been working with subject leaders to determine how students can think, speak and write like subject specialists. Kelly Hawkins, the [...]
Redesigning a curriculum
Effective reform must start with the understanding that the curriculum is the central focus and the central business of schools. Effective curricula are the sina que non of the system that is capable of delivering a quality education to all kids. Siegfried Engelmann At the start of the year I foolishly asked what the good people of Twitter would like me to write about. The message came back, loud and [...]
Building evidence into education
Does he look happy? Today I got to rub shoulders with the great and the good at Bethnal Green Academy (second most improved school in the land, dontcha know?) for the Teach First sponsored launch of Ben Goldacre's thoughts on Building Evidence into Education. I somehow found myself on a guest list that included Michael Gove, Kevan Collins, chief executive of the EEF and sundry academics and educational big wigs. Fortunately [...]
The Grand Unified Theory of Mastery
Is this all you need to know about motivation, learning and professional development? No, probably not. But, it is a beguilingly complete way of tying together many of the theories which have baffled and bedevilled me over the past few years. Here they all are, neatly and beautifully packaged for your convenience. I love the fact that Pete Jones (@Pekabelo) has designed this as a tube map as it resonates with an [...]
Making Meaning in English
Learning Spy CPD
*NEW* Intelligent Accountability
#Cleverer
#PsychBook
#WrongBook
The Secret of Literacy
The Perfect English Lesson
Join Over 10,000 Subscribers Learning from David Didau
Become Part of David Didau’s Network and Further Your Teaching Career.
