Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Christopher Such, an expert in phonics, discusses 9 common misconceptions about teaching phonics, including the purpose of phonics, the origin of misconceptions, their prevalence, and the importance of avoiding them. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing sight words and phonetic decoding, navigating inspection frameworks, and dispelling misconceptions about phonics instruction.

Shannen Doherty, a teacher development lead, and Lloyd Williams-Jones, a primary school teacher known for his parental engagement initiatives, dive into the importance of involving parents in children's math education. They discuss ideal engagement strategies and how to foster effective communication between parents and teachers. Fun home-based mathematical games are shared to make learning enjoyable. The conversation also explores the role of digital media in enhancing parental involvement, breaking down barriers, and creating a supportive environment for children's math confidence.

Christopher Such, an expert in early mathematics pedagogy, joins the discussion on the vital role of manipulatives in early math learning. They explore the balance between concrete experiences and abstract reasoning, challenging traditional teaching methods. The conversation highlights five key principles for effectively using sensory and virtual tools. Additionally, Such emphasizes the significance of engaging families through play, particularly with board games, to enhance mathematical learning and foster social interaction.

In this engaging discussion, Stuart Welsh, an accomplished mathematics educator and co-founder of Alta Education, delves into the vital role of middle leadership in schools. He emphasizes the need for supportive training as leaders transition from the classroom. Time management is highlighted as crucial for effective leadership, urging a focus on impactful initiatives. The conversation also tackles embracing change, maintaining flexibility in math teaching, and setting clear objectives to enhance student outcomes. Stuart's insights are a goldmine for educators intent on improving their leadership skills.

This episode features Kate Jones, author and educator focused on women's empowerment in education, and Shannen Doherty, an advocate for women's leadership in the field. They discuss the inspiration behind Kate's book and the barriers women face in pursuing leadership roles. The conversation highlights the importance of creating supportive environments and the role of male allies in fostering gender equality. Personal anecdotes illustrate the challenges of self-promotion and public speaking, while offering practical resources for professional development.

Discussion on misconceptions about pupils who use English as an additional language (EAL), importance of supporting bilingual students in language development, stages of language proficiency in bilingual children, assessing English language proficiency using the Bell Foundation Yale Assessment Framework, understanding language use and utilizing collected data effectively, supporting migrant learners and refugees in schools, challenges faced by professionals working with EAL learners

Topics discussed include multilingual perspectives, early years pedagogy, strategies for accessing research papers, challenges and rewards of supporting students with English as an additional language, collecting proficiency data for EAL students, and understanding and supporting EAL learners in the classroom.

Esteemed researchers Douglas Clements, Renee Lizcano, and Julie Sarama discuss fascinating topics in early math research and pedagogy. They explore the role of play in the classroom, the appropriateness of direct instruction with young learners, and how research can inform classroom practice. This thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for educators and anyone interested in the intersection of research, pedagogy, and early mathematics.

Neil Almond, a teacher and co-creator of AI Education newsletter, explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The podcast delves into the definition and purpose of AI, its use in lesson planning, generating diagrams, and reducing teacher workload. They also discuss the limitations of AI in generating accurate and unbiased content, emphasizing the importance of checking for accuracy and biases. Overall, a fascinating discussion on the role of AI in education.

Lloyd Williams-Jones, a dedicated primary school teacher, dives into the transformative journey of implementing evidence-informed reading strategies. He shares insights on initial pandemic challenges and the crucial role of effective leadership and collaboration. The conversation highlights how reflective practices and training through video resources have invigorated both teaching methods and student engagement. Williams-Jones discusses the importance of maintaining fidelity to established practices while navigating the complexities of educational change.