Chalk & Talk

Teaching math so students learn with Craig Barton (Ep 63)

15 snips
Jan 23, 2026
Guest
Craig Barton
Craig Barton, former secondary maths teacher and author known for evidence-informed teaching, discusses how learning science reshaped his approach. He explains atomisation, purposeful practice, and structuring lessons into I do, we do, you do. Short, practical tips on worked examples, checks for understanding, mini-whiteboard routines, and preparing students for problem solving.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ADVICE

Use AI To Create Purpose Hooks

  • Use AI to generate short purposes and motivating contexts when you're stuck planning a 'why' for a topic.
  • Keep AI outputs brief and vet them for accuracy before using them in class.
ANECDOTE

Barton’s Shift From Inquiry To Explicit

  • Craig Barton describes switching from open-ended tasks to explicit instruction after reading research and interviewing experts.
  • He found his earlier methods worked for top students but not for most learners.
INSIGHT

Struggle Isn't Always Productive

  • Productive struggle is often misapplied: for many students struggle signals failure rather than a path to understanding.
  • Students need taught foundational knowledge first; open problems alone won't build it.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app