Bligh (1998) identified that students in class are most likely to remember the content at the very beginning and at the very end of a lesson. However, due to packed timetables, and back to back lessons, teachers can find themselves rushing to finish lessons leading to low impact endings to lessons. If used well, end of lesson activities, alternatively known as 'exit tickets', can be a great way of cementing specific knowledge in students' minds. Here are five tips on how to end lessons with purpose and impact. ​  

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One thing that we have perhaps learned during this difficult time is that creative thinking is not limited to the arts. Nor does it have to be a huge 'Aha!' moment that leads to fame and fortune! Creativity appears to have thrived, despite the limitations presented to us by a lockdown. This would suggest that creativity is far more simple and humble than the outcomes suggest.  Creative thinking should, therefore, not be seen as a huge event or a timetabled lesson. The aim should be to weave key aspects of creativity into everyday happenings at school. But, what are the key aspects of creativity and how can you get weaving? 

Teacher input can be really effective in setting the pace of the learning and guiding student's thinking when introducing them to new concepts, ideas and skills. However, if they lack focus or last too long, they can disengage children and have the opposite effect. They can allow teachers to fall into the trap of talking for too long and not engaging the students. So what does make great teacher input and how can you plan to ensure it has an impact every single time?  

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Are you a student teacher applying for your first job? Or are you applying for your next teaching post or step up? If the answer is yes, hopefully, my latest video will be useful to you. I will be discussing key topics for you to consider answers for, how to approach interviews with a positive mindset and answer questions in a clear and effective way!

Learning Objectives, Success Criteria and Steps to Success can be used very effectively to support students learning if used correctly. Schools can sometimes lose focus on what the purpose of each is which can hinder learning and confuse children. In this video, I try to break down with each one to ensure each has a clear focus and purpose in your lessons.

Visit www.wagollteaching.com for more simply great teaching ideas.

Visit www.literacywagoll.com for great example literacy texts to use in the classroom.

Preparing for lessons can seem like a complex and daunting task, especially on a late Sunday evening when a new school week is looming. As a new teacher, you may also find yourself trying to fulfil a never-ending tick box list of things to include in your lessons - especially when being observed. This can actually act as a blocker for designing well focused and planned learning opportunities. But, by asking these 7 simple questions you can focus your attention on what really matters to help you refine and fine-tune your day to day teaching and lessons.

Your children arrive to lesson from a break or lunch hyped up, chattering away. It is important that when they enter your classroom they refocus their mind on learning. This can be quite a task and can be challenging. But by engaging children from the moment they enter the room, you can start your lesson, hook them in and focus their minds on the lesson. Here are five simple ways you can do this that can be used in a range of subjects and lessons.