Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Episode 161: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Reid Smith and Christopher Such as we explore the role of background knowledge in reading comprehension and the research Reid has conducted over the better part of the last decade.

As part of the chat we discuss...

...and much, much more.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at [email protected] or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 160:

Counting is fundamental to mathematics, but how much do we really know about it?

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, we explore the principles of counting and the ways we can support all pupils in developing confidence with number during their formative school years.

As part of the chat we discuss...

What are the principles of counting?

When should students learn them?

Why is it important that students learn and understand these principles?

What are some common mistakes/misconceptions students make or have when learning to count?

Is there a set sequence to teach these principles or can they be taught concurrently?

How do tasks/activities change based on the principle in focus?

What activities or strategies do you use to support students when learning to count?

When do students make the connection between the number names and the symbols we use to represent them and how can teachers help students with this?

...and much, much more.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, this episode will give you some valuable insights and ideas on how to teach counting in a way that fosters deep understanding and enjoyment of mathematics.

If you enjoy this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation on www.ko-fi.com/tdape.

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at [email protected] or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 159: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Larsen and Tom Brassington for a thorough exploration of geography teaching. As part of the episode we discuss...

1. The importance of language in geography lessons

2. The fundamentals of comparative studies

3. The use of images in the geography classroom

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

Full Transcript available at www.ko-fi.com/tdape 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 158: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Neil Almond to kick off 2024 with some unseen questions and much opinion based frivolity. As part of the episode we discuss...

...the point of using cursive writing on displays

...how to approach teaching in small schools

...what we should keep in subject leader folders...

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

Full Transcript available at www.ko-fi.com/tdape 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 157: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Christopher Such for an exploration of nine common misconceptions which surround the teaching of phonics. As part of the chat we explore all nine misconceptions and discuss...

...the purpose of phonics,

the origin of these common misconceptions,

how prevalent they are

and how important it is to try and avoid them...

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

Full Transcript available at www.ko-fi.com/tdape

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 156: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Lod Will Jon for an exploration of the ways we can engage parents/carers with mathematics. As part of the chat we discuss...

1. Why should we try to engage parents with mathematics?

2. In an ideal world, what would this engagement look like?

3. What mathematical games can we play at home?

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 155: Join us for this special episode of "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education" as we continue on a fascinating journey into the world of early math research and pedagogy. In this in-depth analysis, we delve into the 2023 paper "Research and Pedagogies for Early Math" by esteemed researchers, Douglas Clements, Renee Lizcano and Julie Sarama.

What does the research say about the use of manipulatives in the early mathematics classroom? What role does practice play and what form should it take? We discuss each of these questions and much, much more.

Whether you're an educator, a student, or simply curious about the fascinating intersection of research, pedagogy and early mathematics, this episode promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 154: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, we take a deep dive into the essence of middle leadership in schools. Stuart Welsh shares his invaluable insights on the importance of middle leadership, the guiding principles that underpin effective leadership at this level, and how these principles translate into tangible actions in the classroom. This episode promises to be a treasure trove of wisdom for educators looking to enhance their leadership skills and impact student learning positively. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 153: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by Kate Jones and Shannen Doherty to discuss the themes in Kate’s new book, Smashing Glass Ceilings: Empowering Women in Education, which explores the challenges and opportunities for female teachers and leaders in schools. As part of the chat we discuss…

1. What inspired Kate to write this book and what are the main messages she wants to convey to readers?

2. What are some of the barriers and biases that women face in pursuing leadership roles in education and how can they overcome them?

3. How can schools create a more inclusive and supportive culture for women leaders and aspiring leaders?

4. How can men be allies and advocates for women in education and what are some of the benefits of having more diverse and balanced leadership teams?

5. What are some of the resources and networks that women can access to support their professional development and career progression?

…and much, much more! Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won’t want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 152: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, we conclude our conversation with Dr Robert Sharples (Episode 151), a senior lecturer in language and education at the University of Bristol, about the challenges and opportunities of supporting pupils who use English as an additional language (EAL).

As part of the chat we discuss...

1. Are there any common misconceptions you encounter in the profession about pupils who speak English as an additional language?

2. Given the diverse nature of pupils defined as speaking English as an additional language, what would you want every teacher to know about how best to support these pupils?

3. You have worked on projects specifically relating to migrant learners and refugees and school leadership. What would you want every teacher and school leader to know about how to best support these pupils?

4. Other than your excellent book, 'Teaching EAL: Evidence-Based Strategies for the Classroom and School', are there any other resources that you would direct teachers towards to help them support pupils who speak English as an additional language?

Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won’t want to miss this one!

If you would like to submit a question, email us at [email protected] or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.