Ollie Lovell, an expert in mathematics education and instructional coaching, dives deep into lesson structure development. He shares insights from his collaboration with schools, emphasizing clarity and purpose in lesson planning. The conversation touches on innovative 'do now' strategies that boost student engagement and the critical role of retrieval practices. They explore the balance between structured lessons and flexibility, while also highlighting the importance of proactive feedback from educators to enhance overall teaching effectiveness.
The episode highlights the vital role of manipulatives like counters and cubes in enhancing students' understanding of mathematical concepts through hands-on activities.
A central theme is the development of a structured lesson flow, specifically the 'do now' phase, which boosts student engagement and comprehension from the start.
The discussion underscores the importance of collaborative professional development among educators to refine teaching practices and improve student learning outcomes.
Deep dives
The Impact of Manipulatives on Learning
The episode emphasizes the transformative role that manipulatives play in understanding mathematical concepts. Tools such as counters and cubes, specifically the Reckon Rec, are highlighted for their effectiveness in helping students grasp the fundamentals of math. The speaker shares personal experiences with their five-year-old, Isaac, engaging in hands-on activities using colorful cubes to explore shapes and patterns. These activities not only make learning enjoyable but also reinforce critical math skills through practical application.
Developing a Structured Lesson Plan
The discussion shifts to refining lesson structures, particularly focusing on the 'do now' phase. The importance of a consistent lesson flow is emphasized, suggesting that teachers should define and adhere to a standard approach that creates a seamless learning experience. Feedback from practitioners indicates that starting lessons with a clear purpose boosts student engagement and success. These reflections suggest a need for educators to continuously refine their teaching methods based on classroom observations and outcomes.
The Balance of Teaching and Learning
The speakers discuss the challenges of balancing effective teaching with the necessity for student engagement in math lessons. By sharing their experiences visiting various schools, they glean insights on what works—especially concerning instructional coaching and professional development. The conversation advocates for a collaborative approach between teachers and educational leaders to improve the learning environment. Enhancing teacher skill sets is seen as pivotal for driving change in student outcomes.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Do Now Activities
The effectiveness of 'do now' activities in fostering student engagement and reinforcing previous knowledge is a central theme. There is a focus on designing these activities to ensure they are straightforward yet stimulating, providing easy wins for students to build confidence. The speakers stress the importance of ensuring that students find initial questions accessible while also allowing for deeper exploration of content. By emphasizing both retrieval practice and the significance of early successes, teachers can set a positive tone for the rest of the lesson.
Refining Assessment Strategies
The episode outlines effective strategies for assessing student understanding through 'do now' activities. It encourages educators to design tasks that can be easily evaluated, avoiding questions that allow for multiple correct answers that complicate assessment. A structured routine for 'do now' setups is recommended to foster a supportive environment where students feel comfortable participating. By standardizing practices within departments, teachers can create a collective understanding of assessment goals, leading to improved learning outcomes.
In this episode, Ollie and I tried something different. I’ve been working with a school to help develop a departmental lesson structure with their maths team. I know Ollie had been doing something similar with a school he has been working with, so it seemed a good idea to chat through our ideas to see where we agreed and differed.
My original plan was to cover this all in one pod. But, as you will hear, I may have been a bit optimistic about that. So, we are going to turn this into a series of episodes. Given how far we got in this conversation, we should just about wrap up our dive into a lesson structure by 2029.