Pritesh Raichura: Academic Success, Character and Culture
Jun 22, 2024
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Science teacher Pritesh Raichura shares his successful classroom strategies focusing on explicit teaching, sequential questioning, and the importance of character development. The discussion also touches on the significance of educational booklets, fostering a positive school culture, and engaging students through verbal questioning and rehearsal.
Effective teaching methods prioritize student knowledge and thought processes over techniques.
Fluency in foundational knowledge enhances learning transitions and application in various subjects.
Direct instruction, rehearsal, and precise language corrections contribute to student mastery and success in the classroom.
Deep dives
Effective Teaching Practices Recognized in Year Eight Chemistry Classroom
In a year eight chemistry lesson, students' depth of knowledge stood out to a visitor, highlighting the effectiveness of the teaching methods. Rather than relying solely on teaching techniques, the focus was on the students' knowledge base and thought processes, showcasing successful teaching practices in action. The culture of politeness, warmth, respect, and gratitude among students further emphasized the positive learning environment.
Importance of Fluency in Foundational Knowledge for Effective Learning
The podcast discusses the significance of students' fluency in foundational knowledge as a prerequisite for successful learning. Explicit teaching methods are highlighted as essential for building this knowledge base, with emphasis on practicing and rehearsing information to enhance retention and understanding. By prioritizing fluency in core concepts like times tables in mathematics, educators can facilitate easier learning transitions and application of knowledge in various subjects.
Achieving High Levels of Student Mastery Through Direct Instruction and Rehearsal Strategies
The episode delves into the teaching strategies that lead to high levels of student mastery, such as direct instruction and rigorous rehearsal practices. By explicitly teaching content and engaging students in frequent retrieval and practice sessions, educators can enhance knowledge retention and application. The use of questioning techniques, feedback loops, and precise language corrections contribute to a culture of accountability, rigor, and success in the classroom, ultimately leading to impressive student outcomes.
Creating a Collaborative Approach to Resource Development
Teachers at the school create their own resources in-house by dividing the tasks among the department. This process involves writing booklets from scratch, ensuring a tailored approach to teaching methods. The teachers take ownership of their respective booklets and units, leading to a sense of responsibility and a collaborative environment that enhances the quality and effectiveness of the teaching resources.
Building a Culture of Respect and Responsibility
The school focuses on instilling a culture of politeness and gratitude in students, emphasizing the importance of every interaction in shaping the overall culture. Students are taught explicit routines, such as greeting teachers and serving each other, to develop habits that reflect positivity and responsibility. Teachers and leaders play a crucial role in setting clear expectations, training staff, and reinforcing desired behaviors to maintain a strong culture throughout the school.
Pritesh is a science teacher, head of science and assistant head in charge of teaching and learning at Ark Soane Academy. Known as the best science teacher in the country because of his student’s outstanding results, Pritesh takes us through the what, why and how of his approach to classroom teaching, including direct instruction, rehearsal, participation, the three phases of questioning, independent work, booklets, sequencing, chunking and precision.
Amongst other things, we also discuss the intentional development character, culture and behaviour – things which are evident in abundance when talking to students at Ark Soane Academy.
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