Matt and Femi respond to a listener question about steps to improve the quality of teaching in their department as a new KS3 lead or second in department.

Matt was in a reflective mood recently and shared a few of the things he has been working on and thinking about with Femi.

Prompted by listener feedback, Femi and Matt explore the idea that when it comes to teaching we are making something simple more complicated than it needs to be.

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Matt and Femi discuss what comes to mind when one hears a teacher say "We had a great discussion today about ...".

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Femi and Matt discuss the utility, pros, and cons of looking at lessons through a simple 'attention, participation, thought' lens, discuss other approaches to diagnosis, ask if we are over-complicating things, and consider an alternative lens focussed on creating conditions for independent practice.

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Matt and Femi discuss the importance of quiet independent practice for students, and get into the challenges and preconditions for getting this happening in lessons.

Matt and Femi catch up with Rachael Southern two years after her first appearance on the pod and she shares her knowledge around improving reading and thoughts about leading on it whole-school.

Author, teacher, trainer, and expert coach Sarah Cottinghatt joins Matt and Femi to discuss her book 'Ausubel's Meaningful Learning in Action', and coaching!

Follow Sarah's Coaching Cuts on Substack:

https://cognitivecoaching.substack.com/

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In this double episode Matt and Femi explore the arguments for students sitting in rows facing the front vs sitting around tables in groups, and then turn their attention to the issues around the effectiveness of issuing detentions vs a prompt and stern conversation with the student.

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We've all experienced it!  Matt and Femi lay out some of the most important characteristics of poor leadership in schools as they see it.