Students retain 90% of what they learn through teaching others. Of course, learning cannot happen in this way all the time, and in order to get the best out of this method, you need to give your students the tools they need to implement it.

Your challenge: In one of your lessons ask a selection of students to research a particular topic in your subject, and to teach it by delivering a presentation to the class.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Remind students that learning is challenging and uncomfortable at times. We have bought into the myth that our lessons are always meant to be fun. They aren’t. Your lessons are allowed to be challenging and frustrating.

Your challenge: Ask your students to write down one thing they learned when they were younger (like riding a bike) and ask them to describe the process.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

It is not your job to close the learning gap, but to support your students in closing the gap for themselves through their own efforts and by using techniques that work for them.

Your challenge: Share this idea of personal responsibility with your classes today.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Celebrate yourself. The school day is so centred on itself that you can often feel ignored. It’s only natural. Teaching is often described as a ‘thankless’ job, but it needn’t be a demoralising one as well.

Your challenge: Write down 5 things you are proud of and find a way to celebrate one of them today.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Do not control your classroom. Create an atmosphere that promotes the behaviour you want whilst giving students the tools to modify it when necessary.

Your challenge: Write down three ways you can empower your students to identify their own behaviours and remind them that it is their responsibility to exercise self-control.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Balance your behaviour management. Have you noticed how easy it is to hand out punishments and sanctions? Make more of an effort to praise and promote good behaviour.

Your challenge: For every detention or sanction you issue today, follow it up with two positive awards to other pupils in your classroom.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Catering to your students’ various learning styles will not only improve your classroom dynamics, but it will also improve learning and retention. The main learning styles are Visual, Read & Write, Auditory and Kinaesthetic learners.

Your challenge: pick a learning style that you don't usually use and implement it in a lesson of your choice today. It can be a 5-minute starter, or a part of your evaluation at the end of the lesson.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Reflect on all lessons and use it as an opportunity to consider what worked well in the lesson and what you could do to improve the next time you teach. There is always something new to learn and reflection builds gratitude and promotes growth.

Your challenge: Deliberately take a few minutes to reflect on your lessons - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Remember you are a lifelong learner. Learn something new about your subject. The best teachers are students, and your excitement about something new you learnt will serve as a model for your students.

Your challenge: Learn one new fact or recent development in your area of expertise.

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk

Don’t burn out to keep your school warm. Remember that your fire needs to be stoked and fanned as well. Being a martyr in the name of professionalism will not help you in the long run.

Your challenge: Pick something that will refuel, refocus, or re-energise you. Schedule it today!

Written and Recorded by Roi Campbell and Alexandros Ayeni

1stverse.co.uk