The Big Idea 💡
A common misconception about codifying teaching strategies is that it restricts creativity. In reality, these models empower teachers to adapt and personalise their approach to meet the needs of their students and the unique context of their classrooms. This is where the real ownership and creativity of teaching come into play.
A Closer Look 👀
🤝 When educators have a shared understanding of strategies, such as Cold Calling, they can make real-time adjustments. The more familiar they are with the mechanics, the easier it becomes to adapt to their students’ needs, creating a more dynamic and responsive learning environment.
🎷 Tom Sherrington provides a fantastic analogy using jazz music. Musicians follow a set structure but have room to improvise. Similarly, codified teaching strategies provide a framework that allows teachers to adjust and personalise their methods, fitting the diverse needs of their classrooms while maintaining structure.
🔍 In our example of the Cold Calling Walk-thru used with staff recently, what seems like a simple mental model is actually quite complex in practice. Each teacher adapts the strategy to suit their class’s dynamics—this is where real teaching expertise shines through.
🧠 These expert models don’t just help in the moment; they also support long-term lesson planning, allowing teachers to modify their techniques based on the changing dynamics of their classroom and cohort. Codified language is crucial for creating consistent yet adaptable teaching practices.
🎒 Codifying strategies doesn’t result in rigid teaching—it provides educators with a toolkit of adaptable methods, enabling them to personalise their approach and respond effectively to their students’ needs and the ever-changing classroom context.
📝 More from WAGOLL Teaching
Thank You, AI: Can we get back to teaching now? ➡️ What might AI mean for the future of Primary teaching?
5 Triggers to Boost Classroom Engagement: Harnessing Dopamine and Cortisol for Learning ➡️ Understanding how dopamine and cortisol influence classroom engagement
Retrieval Practice: 7 Activities That work in Primary ➡️ A handy list of retrieval activities for Primary children
Speak soon,
Coops 😎