Mr Barton Maths Podcast #203 Atomisation in Action – episode 2 (with Kris Boulton and Lee Wheeler)
Jun 4, 2025
Kris Boulton, creator of Unstoppable Learning, and maths teacher Lee Wheeler dive into the world of Atomisation in education. They discuss how this innovative approach can both succeed and falter in diverse classroom settings. The duo highlights the intricate balance of catering to mixed-attainment classes and the importance of tailoring instruction for various learning levels. They also reflect on the challenges of teaching complex topics like geometry, emphasizing empathy and adaptability to enhance student engagement.
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Substack Gathers Global Interest
- Kris's Unstoppable Learning Substack gained wide positive uptake, reaching around 400 subscribers early on.
- He receives international messages from teachers and practitioners using the approach successfully.
Internal Data Showed Big Gains
- Lee tracked internal pre/post data and saw marked improvements where teachers implemented atomization well.
- He found stark contrasts between teachers who engaged deeply and those who didn't in year 10 results.
Design And Test Sequences Differently
- Design categorical and transformation sequences with minimal variation between paired examples and maximal variation across the set.
- During initial testing, deliberately break those initial-pattern rules to avoid signalling answers to students.
