Knowledge for Teachers: Recent Episodes
Brendan Lee
In the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, host Brendan Lee will be chatting to researchers, teachers and experts about what evidence-informed education is and the nuances involved with actually implementing effective and sustainable school based education.
If your school's intervention system feels like an endless treadmill, this episode is a must-listen. Dr Sarah Brown (President of System Impact Consulting) and Dr Stephanie Stollar (Creator of the Reading Science Academy) join the podcast to dismantle the most common mistakes schools make with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
In this episode, you will learn why the MTSS pyramid is actually a map of school resources rather than a tool for sorting students. Stephanie reveals the dangers of the "screen to intervene" trap, explaining why we must evaluate core Tier 1 instruction before pulling kids into intervention groups. We also discuss why expecting teachers to overhaul their practice without structural support ignores the reality that adults go through an acquisition stage of learning too. Get ready to shift your focus from admiring the problem to taking definitive instructional action.
Resources mentioned:
- MTSS for Reading Improvement by Dr Sarah Brown and Dr Stephanie Stollar
- MTSS for Reading Improvement - Free Reproducibles
- Routines for Reading Results (upcoming second edition of Teaching Struggling and At-Risk Readers)
- Effective Universal Instruction book by Bradley C. Niebling, Kimberly Gibbons and Sarah Brown
- StephanieStollarConsulting.com
- System Impact Consulting
You can connect with Sarah:
Linkedin: @sarah-brown-ph-d-9177b516
Website: systemimpactconsulting.com
You can connect with Stephanie:
Twitter/X: @SStollar6
Facebook: @StephanieStollarConsulting
Linkedin: @stephanie-stollar
Website: stephaniestollarconsulting.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website:learnwithlee.net
Substack: knowledgeforteachers.substack.com/
About SarahDr. Sarah Brown is a consultant and co-author of the books, Effective Universal Instruction, MTSS for Reading Improvement, and Routines for Reading Results. She empowers schools through her MTSS Data Academy. She’s served in a variety of educational roles, including Bureau Chief leading Special Education and MTSS implementation for Iowa, Special Education Director, Professional Learning Administrator, and School Psychologist. Dr. Brown is passionate about empowering systems to improve outcomes for every learner. She splits her time between the midwest and the southwest and her greatest accomplishment to date is toilet-training her cat, Oliver.
About StephanieStephanie is passionate about using MTSS as the framework for helping all students become skilled readers. She is the co-author of the books MTSS for Reading Improvement, Promoting Effective MTSS Implementation, Reading Assessment Done Right and Routines for Reading Results.
Stephanie is creator of the Reading Science Academy, co-creator of MTSS CollecAve, and serves on the boards of the Evidence Advocacy Center and the International MTSS Association.
Her past roles include Assistant Professor, Vice President of Professional Learning at Acadience Learning, and School Psychologist. Stephanie believes that supporting all educators to have deep knowledge about reading is foundational to high achievement for every student.
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode Brendan Lee is joined by Professor Stuart Kime, a leading voice in evidence-informed school improvement and co-founder of Evidence-Based Education. We dive into the Great Teaching Toolkit and explore how to bridge the knowing-doing gap in professional learning. Knowing the research is important, but it does not automatically translate into changing your teaching habits. Stuart explains how to hold a mirror up to our practice using objective tools. You will discover why video feedback is critical for bypassing our expert blind spots and how student surveys can reveal the true reality of your classroom environment. They also discuss why schools need to move away from standalone courses and build a supportive culture of continuous improvement. If you want to turn evidence into concrete action this conversation is essential listening.
Resources mentioned:
- Evidence-Based Education (EBE)
- The Great Teaching Toolkit
- The Great Teaching Toolkit: Evidence Review (2020)
- The Great Teacher Toolkit: School Environment and Leadership Evidence Review (2022)
- EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit (Steve Higgins)
You can connect with Stuart:
Twitter: @profkime
Linkedin: @stuart-kime-ebe
Website:evidencebased.education
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, host Brendan Lee sits down with Karen Robertson, national CEO of Life Ed Australia, to explore the escalating youth health crisis and the critical role of health literacy. Far from just kicking a ball around, modern preventative health requires a robust, evidence-backed approach.
Listeners will discover surprising data from the frontlines of education, including why 81 per cent of children aged two to five are already using the internet. Karen unpacks how to transition from traditional, fear-based warnings to a strength-based curriculum that builds critical thinking. Crucially, you will learn how Life Ed carries the load for time-poor educators, with research revealing that 89 per cent of teachers report significantly improved confidence in embedding wellbeing strategies post-visit.
Tune in for a thoughtful discussion packed with practical, research-grounded insights to help your students truly thrive.
You can connect with Karen:
Linkedin: @karen-robertson-mtc
Website: lifeed.org.au
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website:learnwithlee.net
Substack: knowledgeforteachers.substack.com/
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this special follow-up to the popular episode with Dr. Kent Johnson and Andrew Kieta on the Morningside Model that Guarantees Two Years of Growth in One, host Brendan Lee draws out the practical learning science expertise of university lecturer Dr Russ Fox and MTSS leader Karina Stocker. This conversation bridges the macro principles of the Morningside model directly with the reality of the classroom through the lens of the Instructional Hierarchy.
Listeners will hear Karina and Russ break down how to spot the hidden "tool skills" that frequently block student progress in reading and mathematics. They challenge common misconceptions about explicit instruction, detailing why the "We Do" phase must be a dynamic, data-driven interaction to build accurate acquisition. Plus, they share how to transition students into fluency building by measuring the rate of correct responses rather than simple percentages.
If you’re keen to delve deeper into the key mechanisms behind the Morningside Model of Generative Instruction and more, then this conversation is essential listening.
Resources mentioned:
- MorningsideAcademy.org
- Ryan O’Donnell’s documentary about Morningside Academy: The Morningside Model of Generative Instruction
- Thomas Gilbert’s Mathetics
- S01E01 – Dr. Russ Fox on building relationships, routines and using reinforcers
- Trina Spencer: Learning How Learning Works Helps Teachers Teach
- Mastery Schools Australia
- Brendan Lee: "Engineering the Aha! When Discovery Learning Actually Works"
- Stocker, K. L., Fox, R. A., Swain, N. R., & Leif, E. S. (2024). Between the lines: Integrating the science of reading and the science of behavior to improve reading outcomes for Australian children. Behavior and Social Issues, 33(1), 504-531.
You can connect with Karina:
You can connect with Russ:
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
As teachers, we’ve all felt the frustration of watching a student fall through the cracks because the curriculum is moving faster than they are. We’ve all wondered: how do we actually catch them up without just ‘watering down’ the work?
In this episode, Brendan Lee is joined by Dr. Kent Johnson and Andrew Kieta from Morningside Academy. What makes this conversation so special is that it’s not just theory. Morningside has spent over 40 years in their Seattle lab school proving that these challenges have answers. They have essentially "cracked the code" on the most persistent problems we face in schools.
They dive into their world-renowned model of Generative Instruction, exploring how they use "Precision Teaching" to build effortless fluency and why they group students by achievement rather than age. You’ll learn why a student who is 100% accurate can still be struggling and how a "Money Back Guarantee" on student growth is actually possible when you engineer instruction with this much precision. This is a deep look at how we can stop "praying and spraying" our teaching and start giving every student the success they deserve.
Resources mentioned:
- MorningsideAcademy.org
- Morningside Summer Institute
- John Dewey: How We Think
- Lev Vygotsky
- Michael Maloney
- Israel Goldiamond
- Tom Gilbert - Mathetics
- Ogden Lindsley
- Carl Binder
- Owen White
- Norris Haring
- B.F. Skinner
- Jerome Bruner
- Fred Keller
- Brendan Lee: "Engineering the Aha! When Discovery Learning Actually Works"
- Ryan O’Donnell’s documentary about Morningside Academy: The Morningside Model of Generative Instruction
You can connect with Kent:
You can connect with Andrew:
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast we explore how to transform classroom outcomes using the science of behaviour. Brendan Lee chats with Dr. Kimberley Nix Berens, a scientist-practitioner and the founder of Fit Learning. Together, they unpack the role of behaviour science in education and why observable, measurable learning matters. You’ll hear why fluency—not just accuracy—is the true indicator of mastery, how precision teaching can transform the way we assess and respond to students, and why many common approaches to instruction fall short of producing lasting outcomes.
Kim also challenges some widely held assumptions, including the limits of discovery learning and the over-reliance on grades as meaningful measures of progress.
If you’re looking for practical, research-informed ways to sharpen your teaching and better support every learner, this episode offers a powerful new lens.
Resources mentioned:
- https://fitlearning.com/
- Blindspots by Kimberly Berens
- The Technology of Teaching by B.F. Skinner
- Theory of Instruction by Sigfried Engelman and Doug Carnine
- The Standard Celeration Chart
- The Morningside Model of Generative Instruction (Johnson, Street, Kieta and Robbins)
- Program of International Student Assessment (PISA)
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
- FitLite (and the FitLite Literacy model)
- Scientist Educator Training Series
You can connect with Kimberly:
Twitter: @KimberlyBerens5
Instagram: @drkberens
Website:https://www.drkimberlyberens.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Kimberly Kimberly Nix Berens, Ph.D., is the Founder of Fit Learning and CEO of Fit Learning Online. She co-created a powerful system of instruction based in behavior science and the Technology of Teaching, which has transformed the learning abilities of thousands of children worldwide. For more than 20 years, her system of instruction has produced at least one year’s worth of academic growth in only 40 hours of training. Her learning programs effectively target such essential areas as early learning skills, basic classroom readiness, phonemic awareness, reading fluency, comprehension, inferential language, basic and advanced mathematics, logical problem solving, grammar, and expressive writing. From her early beginnings in a broom closet at the University of Nevada – Reno, Dr. Berens has helped grow Fit Learning to an organization with centers located throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. In her current role as CEO of Fit Learning Online, she focuses on increasing access for learners living in regions without a Fit Learning center. Dr. Berens is a frequent invited speaker and a contributor to many popular press publications such as Thrive Global, 74 Million, and Medium. Her first book, Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them, was released in October of 2020.
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by Dr. Trina Spencer, a leading researcher in language and literacy and the co-developer of Story Champs. They dive deep into why oral language is the true, widely misunderstood foundation of reading comprehension. Dr. Spencer challenges the status quo of literacy instruction by unpacking why we absolutely shouldn't wait for skilled decoding before teaching comprehension.
Tune in as they explore:
- Why the idea that academic language develops naturally is a damaging myth.
- Why some students struggle despite strong phonics teaching
- How just 30 minutes of explicit spoken language instruction daily can close the achievement gap.
- Why expecting teachers to act as instructional designers is an unfair burden.
If you are looking for practical, evidence-based ways to boost your students' language skills without adding impossible workloads, this conversation is a must-listen.
Resources mentioned:
- Story Champs
- trinaspencer.com/
- CUBED
- DYMOND
- MAP (Measuring Academic Progress)
- Spencer, T. D. (2021). Ten instructional design efforts to help behavior analysts take up the torch of direct instruction. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14(3), 816-830.
- Pamela Snow, Why the Big Six should actually be the Big Five.
- Doug Peterson
You can connect with:
Twitter/X: @TrinaDSpencer2
Instagram: @trinastoolbox/
Website: https://trinaspencer.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
Fluency is often treated as a small piece of mathematics learning, but in reality, it may be one of the most important and overlooked foundations for long term success.
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brian Poncy, Professor at Oklahoma State University and the creator of Facts on Fire, a highly regarded program designed to build maths fact fluency through short, structured, and evidence informed daily practice.
Brian challenges the common resistance to timed practice, arguing that fluency—defined strictly as accuracy plus speed—is the bridge that frees up working memory for higher-order problem solving.
Listeners will discover why timed practice only works when students are placed at the right starting point, how small sets and careful sequencing can dramatically improve motivation and success, and what schools can do to implement fluency routines effectively in just a few minutes a day.
The episode also explores the powerful concept of contingency adduction, where mastering component skills can lead students to solve complex problems they have never been explicitly taught.
A practical and thought provoking conversation for any educator serious about improving mathematics outcomes.
Catch Dr. Brian Poncy in Australia:
Tickets can be purchased here:Perth: https://www.trybooking.com/DHYZMAdelaide: https://www.trybooking.com/DHZSUMelbourne: https://www.trybooking.com/DIABMSydney: https://www.trybooking.com/DHYZG Resources mentioned:
- M.I.N.D. 2.0 - FACTS ON FIRE
- Chalk and Talk podcast (Anna Stokke)
- Morningside Academy
- PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports)
- Rocket Math
- Times Tables Rock Stars
- Engineering the “Aha!”: When Discovery Learning Actually Works
You can connect with Brian:
Twitter/X: @brian_poncy
Website: M.I.N.D. 2.0 - FACTS ON FIRE
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
Implementing Effective Primary Maths InstructionFor School LeadersThis is a two day online course for school and middle leaders and it is all about implementation. We look closely at curriculum and lesson design, assessment, coaching and the systems that help teachers change practice in a sustainable way.
Register here
Have you ever taught a "perfect" lesson where every student got the answer right, only to find they remembered absolutely nothing the next day? In this episode, education author David Didau joins me to reveal why what looks like learning is often just a "performance"—and how our best intentions might be fueling the illusion.
We dig into five common teaching habits you need to stop immediately, including why "Sat Nav teaching" is creating dependency rather than independence and why the popular idea of "productive struggle" might actually be setting your students up to fail. David challenges deep-seated beliefs about practice, compliance, and memory, offering a provocative look at what it really takes to make learning stick.
Resources mentioned:
Books
- David Didau – What If Everything You Knew About Education Was Wrong?
- David Didau – Intelligent Accountability
Websites & Tools
- Carousel Learning
People
- Robert Bjork
- Adam Boxer
- Carl Hendrick
- Christina Milos
You can connect with David:
Twitter/X: @DavidDidau
Substack: https://daviddidau.substack.com/
Website:https://learningspy.co.uk/
David Didau Events:Canberra - Thursday 12th March - https://events.humanitix.com/david-didau-full-day-eventMelbourne - Thursday 19th March - https://events.humanitix.com/coach-to-5k-writing-workshop-with-david-didau About David DidauDavid Didau is an educator, author, and professional learning leader known for his evidence-informed work on teaching, writing, and curriculum. He is the author of several highly regarded books including What If Everything You Knew About Education Was Wrong? and The Secret of Literacy. David writes in his blog The Learning Spy, a widely read platform supporting educators to translate research into classroom practice.
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
The Primary Maths Instruction FrameworkFor teachersThis is a three day online course for teachers where we focus on how learning happens and how to design maths lessons that support acquisition, build fluency and help students generalise what they know.
Register here
Implementing Effective Primary Maths InstructionFor School LeadersThis is a two day online course for school and middle leaders and it is all about implementation. We look closely at curriculum and lesson design, assessment, coaching and the systems that help teachers change practice in a sustainable way.
Register here
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by Brad Gaynor, an Australian educator, leadership coach and former principal with decades of experience across schools and systems. Brad is also the author of the new book From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Leadership Reset.
The conversation centres on burnout in education and what sustainable teaching and leadership actually look like beyond surface level wellbeing advice. Drawing on Brad’s lived experience and research informed work, this episode explores why burnout is more than just feeling tired, how hidden emotional labour shapes the work of teachers and leaders, and why framing burnout as a resilience issue can miss the real problem.
Listeners will hear a practical framework for resetting habits and expectations, learn why boundaries are essential rather than optional, and gain insight into how clarity, systems, and culture can reduce cognitive and emotional load.
This is a thoughtful and practical conversation for educators who want to keep doing this work well, without burning themselves out in the process.
You can connect with Brad:
Twitter/X: @brad_coaching
Website: bradgaynor.com.au
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
The Primary Maths Instruction FrameworkFor teachersThis is a three day online course for teachers where we focus on how learning happens and how to design maths lessons that support acquisition, build fluency and help students generalise what they know.
Register here
Implementing Effective Primary Maths InstructionFor School LeadersThis is a two day online course for school and middle leaders and it is all about implementation. We look closely at curriculum and lesson design, assessment, coaching and the systems that help teachers change practice in a sustainable way.
Register here
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, host Brendan Lee speaks with Natalie Wexler, education writer and author of The Knowledge Gap, The Writing Revolution, and Beyond the Science of Reading. Together they explore what truly drives reading comprehension and why knowledge rich instruction is essential for every learner. Natalie unpacks the surprising limits of treating comprehension as a set of isolated skills, explains how background knowledge shapes understanding in powerful ways, and shows why writing can be one of the most effective tools for securing learning. Listeners will also hear how cognitive load theory connects to literacy and what strong knowledge building lessons look like in real classrooms. A practical and thought provoking conversation for teachers and leaders who want to strengthen literacy through the lens of research.
Resources mentioned:
- The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler
- The Writing Revolution by Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler
- Beyond the Science of Reading by Natalie Wexler
- Why Don’t Students Like School by Daniel Willingham
You can connect with Natalie:
Twitter/X: @natwexler
Website:nataliewexler.com
Substack: http://nataliewexler.substack.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
The Primary Maths Instruction FrameworkFor teachersThis is a three day online course for teachers where we focus on how learning happens and how to design maths lessons that support acquisition, build fluency and help students generalise what they know.
Register here
Implementing Effective Primary Maths InstructionFor School LeadersThis is a two day online course for school and middle leaders and it is all about implementation. We look closely at curriculum and lesson design, assessment, coaching and the systems that help teachers change practice in a sustainable way.
Register here
In this episode, Brendan sits down with Ingrid Sealey, founder of Teach Well, to explore the hidden nuance behind great teaching. Drawing on her work with thousands of teachers across Australia, Ingrid shares what she has learned about the small deliberate practices that make a real difference for students.
They unpack why clarity matters more than complexity, how spaced practice can shift long-term learning, and why full participation is not about getting every student to join in but about getting every student to think. Ingrid also explains why explicit instruction is not a script but a way to support better decision making in the classroom.
The conversation also dives into her new bookTeach Well’s Instruction & Coaching Companion, which captures the core practices and insights that have shaped Teach Well’s approach. Ingrid reflects on how the book came together and how teachers can use it to make practical confident changes in their everyday work.
They also discuss how professional learning can move beyond one off workshops and become something that genuinely changes practice. Ingrid offers insights from Teach Well’s long-term partnerships and shares examples of what happens when teachers work on small tweaks over time.
This is a thoughtful and practical episode for anyone who wants to refine their craft and understand what really drives effective teaching. If you are looking for ideas you can take straight back to your classroom or leadership team, this one is full of them.
Resources mentioned:
- Teach Well’s Instruction & Coaching Companion
- Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction – Barak Rosenshine
- Why Don’t Students Like School – Daniel Willingham
- Dylan Wiliam – formative assessment and full participation strategies
- Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) – John Hollingsworth and Silvia Ybarra
You can connect with Ingrid:
Twiiter/X: @TeachWellAus
Teach Well Website:teach-well.au
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
Evidence in Action: The Primary Maths PartnershipA long-term professional learning partnership built around what actually works.This 24 month program provides schools with 20+ hours of structured professional learning grounded in the science of learning spaced out over time — including explicit instruction, daily reviews, fluency-building, and problem-solving.
We work together to create a practical, sustainable implementation plan — so what you learn becomes what you do.
Optional Add-ons:
✓ Lesson modelling
✓ Leadership implementation sessions
✓ Coaching and feedback cycles
✓ Ongoing Q&A or online check-ins
Learn more > brendan@learnwithlee.net
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Sarah Asome, principal of Bentleigh West Primary School and award-winning educator known for her leadership in evidence-based practice. Together, they unpack what Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) really looks like in action beyond buzzwords and flowcharts. Sarah shares how her school aligns Tier 1 teaching, intervention and extension to ensure every student thrives, not just those who struggle. Listeners will hear how Bentleigh West’s team uses data to drive decisions, keeps variance low across classrooms, and extends students at the top through what Sarah calls a “diamond model” of support. This episode offers a practical, whole-school view of MTSS, one grounded in strong leadership, clear systems, and a belief that consistency creates equity.
Resources mentioned:
- DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
- Spelling Mastery
- The Writing Revolution (Judith Hochman & Natalie Wexler)
- Letters Course (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling – LETRS)
- Story Champs
- Reading Doctor Program (Flinders University)
- Times Tables Rock Stars
- New Wave Mental Maths
- Core Knowledge Curriculum
- Response to Intervention (RTI) Diamond model
- Anita Archer – Explicit Instruction
- Endowment Foundation research (Education Endowment Foundation, on education support and learned helplessness)
- Victorian Lesson Plans
You can connect with Sarah:Twitter/X: @SarahAsome
Linkedin: @sarah-asome
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Sarah Asome Sarah Asome is a highly experienced educator and the current Principal at Bentleigh West Primary School. She has also worked in the UK and Singapore. Sarah has been instrumental leading the change at BWPS but also been able to support many colleagues State, Nationwide and in New Zealand to implement evidence-based literacy instruction in their schools. This has led to a significant increase in literacy and numeracy levels which now places BWPS as a high performing school. Recently, Sarah was part of the team working on ten Victorian Lesson Plans for Primary English including text units, spelling and grammar and punctuation.
In 2015, Sarah was awarded ‘Outstanding Primary Teacher’ in the Victorian Education Excellence Awards. She has appeared in “Outside the Square ‘a DVD resource for teachers and in 2017 was featured on SBS Insight – ‘A Teacher Who Changed My Life’. Sarah has completed numerous courses including Louisa Moat’s LETRS training, Dyslexia Action (UK) and is a Certified Dyslexia, Reading and Orton-Gillingham specialist and trainer for Australia (OGI international inc). Recently, Sarah completed her Masters in Instructional Leadership at Melbourne University.
In 2023, Bentleigh West Primary School won the Victorian Education Excellence Award (VEEA) for ‘Outstanding Inclusion Education’.
Evidence in Action: The Primary Maths Partnership A long-term professional learning partnership built around what actually works.This 24 month program provides schools with 20+ hours of structured professional learning grounded in the science of learning spaced out over time — including explicit instruction, daily reviews, fluency-building, and problem-solving.
We work together to create a practical, sustainable implementation plan — so what you learn becomes what you do.
Optional Add-ons:
✓ Lesson modelling
✓ Leadership implementation sessions
✓ Coaching and feedback cycles
✓ Ongoing Q&A or online check-ins
Learn more > brendan@learnwithlee.net
What if forgetting wasn’t failure, but actually part of the learning process?
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with bestselling author and educator Kate Jones to explore what retrieval practice really looks like in the classroom. Kate shares practical strategies for making retrieval a habit, clears up common misconceptions, and shows how small tweaks — from scaffolding questions to giving feedback that sticks — can transform learning.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories from Kate’s own teaching journey, insights from research and creative ideas teachers can use right away. Whether you’re just starting out with retrieval or looking to deepen your practice, this episode will leave you with simple, sustainable ways to help knowledge stick and build your students’ confidence.
Resources mentioned:
- Why Students Don’t Like School — Daniel Willingham
- Love to Teach — Kate Jones
- Retrieval Practice series (multiple books) — Kate Jones
- Retrieval Practice: Myths, Mutations and Mistakes (free ebook, Evidence Based Education) — Kate Jones
- Flashcards ebook (Evidence Based Education) — Kate Jones
- ResearchEd Guide to Cognitive Science (Kate wrote chapters on retrieval and spacing; Jonathan Firth on interleaving)
- Dunlosky (2013) - Strengthening the Student Toolbox
- Retrievalpractice.org (Pooja Agarwal’s meta-analysis of classroom studies)
- Carousel Learning (Adam Boxer)
- TES (retrieval templates)
You can connect with:
Twitter/X: @KateJones_teach
Email: katesofiajones@gmail.com
Website:https://www.katejoneseducation.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
enuine research from marketing spin, why fluency is about much more than speed, and the dangers of relying on “engagement” as a proxy for learning. Anna also highlights simple, practical strategies—like cover-copy-compare and spaced retrieval—that help students build the confidence they need to tackle more complex maths.
If you’ve ever wondered how to cut through the noise and focus on what truly improves student outcomes, this conversation is packed with insights you can take straight back to your classroom.
Resources mentioned:
- Wise Math (advocacy group)
- Archimedes Math School
- JUMP Math (Canadian maths program)
- Singapore Primary Math Program
- ResearchEd (conference, where Anna presented)
- Chalk and Talk (Anna Stokke’s podcast)
You can connect with Anna:
Twitter/X: @rastokke
Website:https://www.annastokke.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Dr. Anna Stokke is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Winnipeg. She is a recipient of a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, which is Canada's most prestigious award for teaching excellence and educational leadership at the post-secondary level. She is co-founder and President of the non-profit organization Archimedes Math Schools, which delivers after-school math classes for children. She hosts the popular math education podcast Chalk & Talk, where she discusses evidence-informed math teaching with leading education experts.
2025 Australian School Improvement SummitThe 2025 Australian School Improvement Summit is coming to Sydney on Wednesday 29 October — a one-day event bringing together system leaders, researchers, principals, and expert practitioners to focus on what works in schools, and how to make it happen at scale.
Hear from leading voices like Natalie Wexler (The Knowledge Gap), curriculum expert Dr Ben Jensen, and school leaders Lisa Holt (Rosebud Secondary College), Manisha Gazula (Marsden Road Public School), and Dr Greg Ashman (Ballarat Clarendon College).
If you’re a school leader or educator committed to improving outcomes for every student — and believe in doing fewer things, better — this is an event not to miss.
Special offer for listeners: 20% off full-price tickets with code LearnWithLee.
Check out the full program and register here: https://shorturl.at/Ku9v4
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, I sit down with Dr. Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk and Talk podcast—to unpack what really works in maths education. Anna shares her journey from academic research to advocacy, and why she’s become such a strong voice for evidence-informed teaching.
We explore how to separate genuine research from marketing spin, why fluency is about much more than speed, and the dangers of relying on “engagement” as a proxy for learning. Anna also highlights simple, practical strategies—like cover-copy-compare and spaced retrieval—that help students build the confidence they need to tackle more complex maths.
If you’ve ever wondered how to cut through the noise and focus on what truly improves student outcomes, this conversation is packed with insights you can take straight back to your classroom.
Resources mentioned:
- Wise Math (advocacy group)
- Archimedes Math School
- JUMP Math (Canadian maths program)
- Singapore Primary Math Program
- ResearchEd (conference, where Anna presented)
- Chalk and Talk (Anna Stokke’s podcast)
You can connect with Anna:
Twitter/X: @rastokke
Website:https://www.annastokke.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Dr. Anna Stokke is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Winnipeg. She is a recipient of a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, which is Canada's most prestigious award for teaching excellence and educational leadership at the post-secondary level. She is co-founder and President of the non-profit organization Archimedes Math Schools, which delivers after-school math classes for children. She hosts the popular math education podcast Chalk & Talk, where she discusses evidence-informed math teaching with leading education experts.
2025 Australian School Improvement SummitThe 2025 Australian School Improvement Summit is coming to Sydney on Wednesday 29 October — a one-day event bringing together system leaders, researchers, principals, and expert practitioners to focus on what works in schools, and how to make it happen at scale.
Hear from leading voices like Natalie Wexler (The Knowledge Gap), curriculum expert Dr Ben Jensen, and school leaders Lisa Holt (Rosebud Secondary College), Manisha Gazula (Marsden Road Public School), and Dr Greg Ashman (Ballarat Clarendon College).
If you’re a school leader or educator committed to improving outcomes for every student — and believe in doing fewer things, better — this is an event not to miss.
Special offer for listeners: 20% off full-price tickets with code LearnWithLee.
Check out the full program and register here: https://shorturl.at/Ku9v4
In this episode, Brendan Lee is joined once again by Christopher Such—teacher, author, and one of the most practical voices in reading instruction. His new book, Primary Reading Simplified, takes the research on how children learn to read and shows us what it actually looks like in the classroom.
This conversation zooms in on one of the trickiest areas for teachers: close reading. Chris explains why it doesn’t need to feel intimidating, how to plan lessons that spark genuine discussion, and the misconceptions that often trip schools up. He also shares three simple reading lesson structures that can bring clarity and balance to your literacy block, along with practical tips for asking purposeful questions that help students think more deeply about texts.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make close reading purposeful, achievable, and enjoyable, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to make it work.
Resources mentioned:
- Primary Reading Simplified (Christopher Such’s latest book)
- The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading (Christopher Such’s earlier book)
- Bringing Words to Life by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan
- Scarborough’s Reading Rope
- The Reading Comprehension Blueprint by Nancy Hennessy
- The Writing Revolution by Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler
- Reading Reconsidered by Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, and Erica Woolway
- The EEF (Education Endowment Foundation) Guidance Report on Improving Literacy
- Timothy Shanahan
- Timothy Rasinski
- Aidan Chambers
You can connect with Chris:
Twitter: @Suchmo83
Website: https://primarycolour.home.blog/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About ChrisChristopher Such is a primary teacher, school leader, and author based in the UK, best known for his ability to make the science of reading accessible and practical for classroom teachers. His first book, The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading, has become a go-to resource for educators wanting to bridge research and practice. His latest book, Primary Reading Simplified, builds on that work—offering clear, classroom-ready structures for teaching reading beyond phonics, including fluency, extended reading, and close reading.
Drawing on years of experience teaching across primary year levels and working with schools around the world, Chris is passionate about helping teachers cut through the noise and focus on what truly helps children become confident, capable readers.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Vicky Leighton and Dr. Terry Byers from Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School) and they share how they’re bringing the science of learning to life in real classrooms for both students and teachers.
We dive into their work on A Learner’s Toolkit, explore why teacher clarity matters more than ever and unpack a groundbreaking PD model that’s personal, contextual, and actually sticks. Plus, Terry brings the analogies including a surprisingly fitting comparison between cows and the science of learning!
Whether you’re leading change across a school or just trying to sharpen your practice, this episode is full of insight, laughter and plenty to think about.
Resources mentioned:
- A Learner’s Toolkit (ALT) – for students and teachers
- TRIM Framework
- Sarah Cottinghat
- Dr. Tom Perry
- John Dunlosky
- John Hattie
- The impact of a preparatory science of learning intervention in secondary schools contexts in Australia
- Research into practice: from blueprint to jigsaw
ResearchEd - A Matter of TranslationFriday, 5 September 2025
Anglican Church Grammar School
Keynote Speakers
- Dr Carl Hendricks (Live from the UK)
- Professor Daniel Willingham (Live from the USA)
- Professor Tanya Serry (in person)
Brendan Lee will also be presenting!
You can connect with Vicky:
Twitter: @victorialynne99
Website:alearnerstoolkit.com.au
Youtube
You can connect with Terry:
Twitter: @tezzabyers
Website:alearnerstoolkit.com.au
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
What do young children really need to understand about numbers? And why do some students struggle so much with maths—even from the very beginning?
In this insightful episode, I’m joined by Professor Daniel Ansari, a leading cognitive neuroscientist whose work has shaped how we understand early mathematical development. We explore what number sense actually is, why symbolic understanding is so important and how to build arithmetic fluency without creating anxiety.
Daniel also unpacks key ideas around subitising, dyscalculia and the role of spatial reasoning in maths success. If you teach in the early years or support students who find maths difficult, this episode is packed with practical insights you can take straight into your classroom.
Tune in for an evidence-based conversation that will empower you to better support every child's mathematical journey, fostering confidence, fluency and a genuine love for maths!
Resources mentioned:
- The Maths Guarantee (Grattan Institute report)
- The Maths Guarantee: A guide for principals (Grattan Institute)
- Assisting Students Struggling with Math (a guide from the Institute of Education Sciences)
- McNeil, N. M., Jordan, N. C., Viegut, A. A., & Ansari, D. (2025). What the science of learning teaches us about arithmetic fluency. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 26(1), 10-57.
- Times Tables Rock Stars
- Stanislas Dehaene's Number Sense
- Chalk and Talk podcast (by Anna Stokke)
You can connect with Daniel:Twitter: @NumCogLab
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Professor Daniel Ansari Daniel Ansari is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive
Neuroscience & Learning at Western University. Ansari and his team in the Numerical Cognition Laboratory explore how children develop numerical and mathematical skills and why some children struggle to acquire mathematical skills and knowledge. Ansari and his team are committed to bridging between the Science of Learning and K-12 Classrooms. Ansari is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Advanced Research (CIFAR).
🎯 Struggling to know whether to model again or move on?
You’re not alone — and this course is for you.Effective Primary Maths Teaching is my live, two-day online course designed to help you stop second-guessing and start teaching with clarity and purpose.
Across two highly practical days, I’ll walk you through:
✅ When and why to use explicit instruction, word problems, fluency tasks, and more
✅ How to align your teaching with student readiness
✅ The nuts and bolts of effective daily reviews, worked examples, and fluency practice
✅ A practical framework to help you teach responsively — not reactively
Everything’s grounded in the science of learning, backed by real classroom examples, and designed so you can take action straight away. You’ll leave with a workbook, an action plan, and the confidence to use it all on Monday.
🗓️ Dates:
Day 1 – Monday 4 August 2025 (9am–3pm AET)
Day 2 – Monday 1 September 2025 (9am–3pm AET)
🖥️ Live online (with recordings) | 🧠 10 hours total | 💲 $299
Whether you’re a teacher wanting clarity or a leader building consistency, this is the course people tell me they wish they’d done years ago.
▶️ Register now: events.humanitix.com/effective-primary-maths-teaching
The last one sold out — don’t miss out.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jocelyn Seamer—educational consultant, author, and leading voice in structured literacy—to unpack what effective literacy instruction really looks like in the upper primary years. We dive into how to move beyond levelled texts and strategy-heavy comprehension lessons, and instead build a literacy block grounded in rich texts, explicit instruction, and purposeful writing.
Jocelyn shares practical advice on everything from planning with backward design, to teaching spelling through morphology, to managing cognitive load with the “stretchy band” analogy. Whether you’re trying to make sense of guided reading, support struggling readers, or link reading and writing more effectively, this episode is packed with clarity and actionable ideas.
Key topics include:
- Replacing levelled texts with rich, age-appropriate reading
- Designing integrated, text-based units that link reading and writing
- Explicit vocabulary and background knowledge instruction
- The role of syntax, spelling, and morphology in building strong writers
- Responsive teaching and avoiding the “dress rehearsal” trap in assessments
A must-listen for any Year 3–6 teacher ready to teach literacy with more clarity, purpose, and impact.
Resources mentioned:
- Reading Reconsidered – Doug Lemov
- Five Plagues of the Developing Reader – from Reading Reconsidered
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis
- Velveteen Rabbit – Margery Williams
- Rose Meets Mr. Wintergarten – Bob Graham
- The Lost Thing – Shaun Tan
- Bringing Words to Life – Beck, McKeown & Kucan
- Questioning the Author – Beck, McKeown & Sandora
- DIBELS and Acadience – normed reading screeners
- Motif – free assessments
- Kenn Apel’s morphology assessments
- Jared Cooney Horvath
You can connect with Jocelyn:
Facebook: @JocelynSeamerEducation
Youtube: @JocelynSeamerEducation
Podcast: The Structured Literacy Podcast
Website:www.jocelynseamereducation.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Jocelyn Seamer is a former teacher, tutor and school leader who has experienced, first-hand, the transformative power of evidence-based practice in literacy instruction. She has led teams to grow and develop school policy and practice to reflect the vast body of evidence that makes up the Science of Reading.
Through her own classroom practice and leadership roles in schools, Jocelyn has developed a strong understanding of how you can take simple, yet effective action to get every child on the road to literacy proficiency in the first years of school. Jocelyn feels a very personal responsibility to provide opportunities for classroom teachers to have access to the information and training they need to change children's lives and looks forward to helping you achieve great things in your teaching practice.
Read more on Jocelyn Seamer Education.
🎯 Struggling to know whether to model again or move on?
You’re not alone — and this course is for you.Effective Primary Maths Teaching is my live, two-day online course designed to help you stop second-guessing and start teaching with clarity and purpose.
Across two highly practical days, I’ll walk you through:
✅ When and why to use explicit instruction, word problems, fluency tasks, and more
✅ How to align your teaching with student readiness
✅ The nuts and bolts of effective daily reviews, worked examples, and fluency practice
✅ A practical framework to help you teach responsively — not reactively
Everything’s grounded in the science of learning, backed by real classroom examples, and designed so you can take action straight away. You’ll leave with a workbook, an action plan, and the confidence to use it all on Monday.
🗓️ Dates:
Day 1 – Monday 4 August 2025 (9am–3pm AET)
Day 2 – Monday 1 September 2025 (9am–3pm AET)
🖥️ Live online (with recordings) | 🧠 10 hours total | 💲 $299
Whether you’re a teacher wanting clarity or a leader building consistency, this is the course people tell me they wish they’d done years ago.
▶️ Register now: events.humanitix.com/effective-primary-maths-teaching
The last one sold out — don’t miss out.
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, I speak with Amy Haywood and Nick Parkinson, co-authors of the Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee report. We unpack what they describe as Australia’s “national problem” with maths underperformance — from the equity gaps to the urgent need for high-quality curriculum materials and teacher support.
Amy and Nick share key findings from their research, including a national teacher survey and international case studies, as well as practical insights from some of Australia’s most effective schools. We dive deep into what explicit instruction really looks like, the power of fluency, and how the instructional hierarchy can help teachers better sequence their maths lessons.
Whether you're a school leader, instructional coach, or passionate teacher, this conversation will leave you with clarity, evidence, and next steps to improve maths teaching in your school.
Resources mentioned:
- The Maths Guarantee (Grattan Institute report)
- The Maths Guarantee: A guide for principals (Grattan Institute)
- Teach Like a Champion – Doug Lemov
- Teaching Primary Mathematics – George Booker
- Eddie Wu
- Craig Barton
- Ochre Education
- PR1ME International
- EAST materials
- Maths Olympiad
- Times Tables Rock Stars
- James Dobson - From Research to Reality: A Primary Maths Resource Toolkit
The schools they visited for case studies were:
- Wattle Grove Primary, a government school in suburban Perth
- Bentleigh West Primary, a government school in suburban Melbourne
- Ballarat Clarendon College, an independent school in regional Victoria
- St Bernard’s Primary, a Catholic school in Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast
- Charlestown South Public, a government school in Newcastle, NSW
- The Entrance Public, a government school on the NSW central coast
- Budgewoi Public, a government school also on the NSW central coast
The final three schools are part of the Explicit and Systematic Teaching (EAST) network, a grassroots network which exists to champion explicit teaching in NSW government schools
You can connect with Amy:
Twitter/X: @Amy_L_Haywood
You can connect with Nick:
Twitter/X: @NickJParkinson
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
About Amy Haywood
Amy Haywood is the Deputy Program Director of Grattan’s Education Program. Amy has a background as an educator and brings this practical experience to her work as an education policy researcher. She is the co-author of several Grattan reports, including Ending the lesson lottery: How to improve curriculum planning in schools, The Reading Guarantee: How to give every child the best chance of success, Spreading success: Why Australia should trial multi-school organisations, and The Maths Guarantee: How to boost students’ learning in primary schools.
Amy taught English in secondary schools for five years. During this time, she presented at statewide teaching conferences and wrote several study guides for Macmillan Education. Before joining Grattan, Amy worked as a manager in Deloitte Access Economics’ Education Policy team, where she led schooling projects focused on system design, workforce reform, and teaching practice.
Amy has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne. As part of her postgraduate degree, she studied international education policy while on exchange at the University of Oulo in Finland. She is a registered teacher.
Nick Parkinson
Nick is a Senior Associate in Grattan’s Education Program, where he has co-authored reports on whole-school curriculum, multi-school organisation, and primary maths. He also contributed to reports on catch-up tutoring and early reading. Through this research, Nick has conducted case studies of nearly 30 leading schools and analysed more than 5,000 teacher survey results.
Nick holds a Master of Teaching from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Before studying teaching, Nick completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Languages at the University of Melbourne. He is a 2022 Westpac Future Leader.
Before joining Grattan, Nick worked as a consultant at Nous Group where he contributed to projects on school culture, student assessment, and occupational safety.
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
🎯 Struggling to know whether to model again or move on?
You’re not alone — and this course is for you.Effective Primary Maths Teaching is my live, two-day online course designed to help you stop second-guessing and start teaching with clarity and purpose.
Across two highly practical days, I’ll walk you through:
✅ When and why to use explicit instruction, word problems, fluency tasks, and more
✅ How to align your teaching with student readiness
✅ The nuts and bolts of effective daily reviews, worked examples, and fluency practice
✅ A practical framework to help you teach responsively — not reactively
Everything’s grounded in the science of learning, backed by real classroom examples, and designed so you can take action straight away. You’ll leave with a workbook, an action plan, and the confidence to use it all on Monday.
🗓️ Dates:
Day 1 – Monday 4 August 2025 (9am–3pm AET)
Day 2 – Monday 1 September 2025 (9am–3pm AET)
🖥️ Live online (with recordings) | 🧠 10 hours total | 💲 $299
Whether you’re a teacher wanting clarity or a leader building consistency, this is the course people tell me they wish they’d done years ago.
▶️ Register now: events.humanitix.com/effective-primary-maths-teaching
The last one sold out — don’t miss out.
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with Mandy Nayton — CEO of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation and president of AUSPELD — for a deep and timely conversation about how students really learn to read.
Mandy draws on decades of experience to unpack what the science of reading actually is (and what it isn’t), why explicit instruction matters, and how effective intervention can change the trajectory for struggling students.
They explore key frameworks like the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and the Cognitive Foundations Framework — and dig into DSF’s new Word Origins program, designed to transform how spelling is taught in Years 3–6 by building deep morphological and etymological knowledge.
Whether you're just starting to explore structured literacy or you're leading change in your school, this conversation is packed with insight, clarity, and practical takeaways.
🎧 Listen now and explore how teacher knowledge is the most powerful tool we have to improve literacy outcomes.
Resources mentioned:Word Origins
Literacy Frameworks & Models
- Simple View of Reading (Gough & Tunmer)
- Scarborough’s Reading Rope
- Cognitive Foundations Framework (Hoover & Tunmer)
- Dehaene’s Four Pillars of Learning
Instructional & Program Resources
- DSF’s Word Origins Program
- Direct Instruction Phonics Manual
Others
- Kathy Rastle
- National Reading Panel (2000)
- Reid Lyon
- John Hattie
You can connect with Mandy:
Twitter/X: @mandynayton
Facebook: @dyslexiaspeld
Website:https://dsf.net.au/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by the legendary Craig Barton—maths educator, best-selling author of How I Wish I Taught Maths and Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain, creator of variationtheory.com and tipsforteachers.co.uk, and one of the original voices in education podcasting.
In this conversation, Craig opens up about the highs and lows of teaching, the lessons he’s learned from observing thousands of classrooms, and how he’s navigated public criticism and personal growth. They dive deep into his evolving views on instruction, feedback, and what really moves the needle in student learning. The discussion covers things like:
- Mini whiteboards
- Diagnostic questions
- Intelligent Practice
- Atomisation
- Responsive teaching
We also touch upon his milestone 200th episode of the Mr. Barton Maths podcast and get a sneak peek at his upcoming "Becoming a Better Maths Teacher" tour of Australia with Ollie Lovell in June.
It’s honest, reflective, and packed with insights every teacher can relate to.
Resources mentioned:
- Books by Craig Barton:
- How I Wish I Taught Maths
- Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain
- Tips for Teachers
- Responsive Coaching by Josh Goodrich
- Some of Craig's Websites:
- mrbartonmaths.com
- diagnosticquestions.com
- variationtheory.com
- tipsforteachers.co.uk
- Podcasts:
- Mr Barton Maths Podcast
You can connect with Craig:Twitter/X: @mrbartonmaths
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Craig BartonCraig Barton loves teaching, doing, speaking and thinking about mathematics. He taught maths in secondary schools for 15 years, and was TES Maths Adviser for 10 years. He is now the Head of Education at Eedi.
Craig is the author of three best-selling books: How I wish I’d taught maths, Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain and Tips for Teachers, the host of the Mr Barton Maths podcast and the Tips for Teachers podcast, and the creator of far too many websites, including eedi, diagnosticquestions, tipsforteachers, mrbartonmaths, variationtheory, and ssddproblems.
Craig has been lucky to teach maths and work with teachers and students worldwide. In 2020, he was appointed as a Visiting Fellow at the Mathematics Education Centre at the University of Loughborough.
His two proudest achievements are convincing Kate to marry him (and stay married), and being the father to our wonderful boys, Isaac and Jacob.
Becoming a Better Maths Teacher: Craig Barton’s Aussie Tour with Ollie LovellFor the first time ever, the UK’s most celebrated mathematics teacher, podcaster, and author, Craig Barton, is coming to Australia for a nationwide tour. Craig will be joined by Australia’s own Ollie Lovell for an unforgettable day of professional learning designed to transform your teaching practice.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event! Four dates, four cities:
- Perth: Friday, June 20, 2025
- Melbourne: Monday, June 23, 2025
- Sydney: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
- Adelaide: Friday, June 27, 2025
Seats are limited—secure your spot today and take your mathematics teaching to the next level!
In this episode, I’m joined by Jeanette Breen — Learning Specialist at Templestowe Heights Primary School and Head of Global Partnerships at No More Marking — to unpack insights from her recent tour of some of the highest-performing schools across the UK. From standalone primaries to schools within trusts like Ark Academy, and even the renowned Michaela Community School, where she met Katharine Birbalsingh, Jeanette explored what’s making a real impact in classrooms and leadership teams.
What makes this conversation truly unique is not just Jeanette’s sharp eye for what works — it’s that you’ll also hear directly from the educators she met along the way, thanks to recordings made on-site during her journey. You’ll hear from:
- Andrew Percival and Jess Rennie - Stanley Road Primary School, Oldham
- Madeleine Roberts, David Williams, Jonathan Howlett and Ellen Clarke - Ark Curriculum team
- Matt Burnage - Ark Soane
- Claire Stoneman - 4 Dwellings Academy, Birmingham
- Michael Eggleton - Charles Dickens Primary
- Stuart Houghton - Ribbon Academy, Murton
- Dr Haili Hughes - Professor of teacher coaching & mentoring, Academica University oas, Director of Education, IRIS Connect. ECF & NPQ facilitator
- Bruno Reddy - CEO Times Tables Rock Stars and former head of Mathematics at King Solomon Academy
If you're looking to sharpen your teaching, rethink your curriculum, or get inspired by what’s working in leading schools abroad, this episode is packed with gold.
Resources mentioned:
- Daisy Christodoulou - Seven myths in education and Making good progress
- The Rose report
- StepLab
- Teach Like A Champion
- New wave maths books
- The Writing Revolution
- TimesTable Rockstars
- Grattan report on multi-school organisations
- Think Forward Educators
- Core knowledge units
- Numeracy screener being trialed by the Center for Independent Studies (CIS)
- White Rose Maths
- What Works Series
- ResearchED
- No More Marking
You can connect with Jeanette:X/Twitter: @jettybe3
e-mail: jeanette.breen@education.vic.gov.au or jeanette@nomoremarking.com
You can connect with Brendan:X/Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website learnwithlee.net
Substack: knowledgeforteachers.substack.com/
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Jeanette BreenJeanette is an experienced teacher, presenter, and liaison for the creation of partnerships and professional learning opportunities. In addition to her school-based role at Templestowe Heights PS Victoria, Jeanette works with UK company No More Marking as the bridge for schools using innovative writing assessment. She leads a Writing Network with Think Forward Educators and is a founding member of Sharing Best Practice. Jeanette holds a
Professional Certificate in Clinical Teaching and Masters in Instructional Leadership.
Becoming a Better Maths Teacher: Craig Barton’s Aussie Tour with Ollie LovellFor the first time ever, the UK’s most celebrated mathematics teacher, podcaster, and author, Craig Barton, is coming to Australia for a nationwide tour. Craig will be joined by Australia’s own Ollie Lovell for an unforgettable day of professional learning designed to transform your teaching practice.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event! Four dates, four cities:
- Perth: Friday, June 20, 2025
- Melbourne: Monday, June 23, 2025
- Sydney: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
- Adelaide: Friday, June 27, 2025
Seats are limited—secure your spot today and take your mathematics teaching to the next level!
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Carl Hendrick, a leading voice in education and co-author of What Does It Look Like in the Classroom?, How Learning Happens, and How Teaching Happens. Carl has been instrumental in helping teachers bridge the gap between research and practice, addressing the key question: That all sounds great, but what does it mean for me?
Together, they explore five essential things every teacher should do
- Being open to powerful evidence
- Using retrieval practice
- Checking for understanding
- Aligning curriculum and assessment,
- Embracing the illusion of instruction.
This episode is packed with actionable insights to support and enhance teaching practice.
Resources mentioned:
- What Does It Look Like in the Classroom, How Learning Happens, How Teaching Happens, and Illusions of Instruction (forthcoming, co-authored with Paul Kirschner and Jim Heal)
- Dan Willingham’s Ask the Psychologist pieces for the AFT
- Research by Paul Kirschner
- ResearchEd, founded by Tom Bennett
- Work by Tom Bennett and Daisy Christodoulou
- Ignaz Semmelweis’ paper on puerperal fever
- A 2021 EF review on cognitive science in the classroom by Thomas Perry
- Research on working memory by George Miller and Nelson Cowan
- The 1960s Follow Through study on direct instruction
- Barak Rosenshine’s principles of instruction
- David Ausubel on the importance of prior knowledge
- Madeline Hunter on checking for understanding
- Engelmann and Carnine on Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI)
- Peps McCrea’s Evidence Snacks newsletter
- Robert and Elizabeth Bjork on desirable difficulties
- The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
- John Biggs on constructive alignment
- Christine Counsell on curriculum as a narrative
- The How Learning and Teaching Happens eLearning course through Academica
- No More Marking, where Jeanette Breen works
You can connect with Dr. Carl Hendrick:
Twitter/X: @C_Hendrick
Websites:https://carlhendrick.substack.com/ and https://carlhendrick.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, we're focusing on a key element of successful schools: understanding and supporting positive student behaviour. Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brandi Simonsen, a professor of special education at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Brandi shares her practical insights into PBIS, exploring the crucial links between behaviour, attendance, and academic success. We delve into the ABCs of behavior and uncover effective, evidence-based strategies for creating positive classroom environments, from setting clear expectations to the power of specific praise.
Whether you're new to teaching or looking to enhance your practice, this episode offers valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways on implementing Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports.
Resources mentioned:
- Brandi Simonsen and Diane Myers: Classwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A Guide to Proactive Classroom Management
- Diane Myers, Brandi Simonsen and Jennifer Freeman: Implementing Classwide PBIS: A Guide to Supporting Teachers, which I highly recommend.
- National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
You can connect with Brandi:Linkedin
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, get ready to dive deep into the world of assessments with Dr. Matthew Burns, as we explore the different categories of assessments, their intended purposes, and how they can be used to inform instruction. Dr. Burns, a researcher with extensive experience in the effective use of assessment data and interventions, shares his expertise on bridging the gap in understanding assessments.
The conversation highlights the significance of the instructional hierarchy in understanding student learning phases, as well as the differences between curriculum-based measurements (CBM) and curriculum-based assessments (CBA). Dr. Burns stresses the necessity of aligning data with educational goals and ensuring teachers are equipped with appropriate frameworks to use assessments effectively. He offers practical advice on reducing unnecessary screening, using data to drive instructional decisions, and implementing effective interventions in reading and maths.
Resources mentioned:
- UFLI Foundations
- Spring Math
- PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies)
- Science of Math: including both the Facebook group and website (thescienceofmath.com).
- National Center on Intensive Intervention:(intensiveintervention.org).
- Evidence Advocacy Center (evidenceadvocacycenter.org).
- Hasbrook and Tyndall fluency norms
You can connect with Matthew:
Twitter: @burnsmk1
Email: burnsm1@coe.ufl.edu
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ad1ei6p_HOHHhc-T-JnZg
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee speaks with Liana McCurry, a passionate advocate for primary school maths education. Fresh from her Churchill Fellowship, Liana shares findings from her research into mathematical practices across six countries.
Listeners will gain insights into the systemic issues contributing to Australia's declining maths performance and discover how to bridge the research-to-practice gap. Liana delves into key topics, including:
- Mathematical modelling and its surprisingly misunderstood place in the curriculum.
- The power of multisensory approaches to unlock conceptual understanding.
- Why fluency in maths is a foundational skill that needs renewed focus.
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that equips educators with practical knowledge and strategies to transform maths education in their classrooms.
Resources mentioned:
- Books:
-
-
- Explicit Direct Instruction by Hollingsworth and Ybarra. - Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes - Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain. - Direct Instruction Mathematics by Stein et al
- Websites:
- Ochre
- Science of Math website.
- Thinking Forward Educators,
- Brian Poncy's MIND
- Steve Wyborney's Esti Mysteries
- Podcasts:
- Knowledge for Teachers.
- Dyscastia, hosted by Bill Hansberry and Michael Shanahan.
- Craig Barton podcast.
- Progressively Incorrect, hosted by Zach Groshell
- Chalk and Talk, hosted by Anna Stokke
-
- Training and Conferences:
-
- Sharing Best Practice conferences.
- What Works series in Geelong.
- Orton Gillingham Math, Multisensory Maths training
You can connect with Liana:
Email: liana@sol-education.net
Website:sol-education.net
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) CourseWhile there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths?In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond. REGISTER HERE
This episode features a compelling conversation with Murat Dizdar, the head of the New South Wales Department of Education. Murat shares his inspiring journey from being the son of Turkish immigrants to leading Australia’s largest education system. He discusses the experiences that shaped his vision for public education, his deep passion for the teaching profession, and the key initiatives he’s championing to drive meaningful change. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in education and leadership.
Resources mentioned:
- NSW Department of Education Resource Hub
- Explicit Teaching Statement
- High Potential and Gifted Education Policy
- AERO (Australian Education Research Organisation)
- Grattan Institute: Ending the lesson lottery
You can connect with Murat:
Twitter/X: @dizdarm
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) CourseWhile there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths?In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond. More info https://www.learnwithlee.net/a-systematic-and-structured-approach-to-teaching-primary-mathematics/10% off Discount code: MATESRATES
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Nick Hart takes us on an inspiring journey from his beginnings in sports science to becoming a school leader in Dubai. A respected voice in educational leadership, Nick shares insights from his blog and books, delving into the evolution of his leadership style. He discusses the critical role of context in decision-making, introduces the concept of the school year’s rhythm for structured improvement and highlights the importance of trust in fostering strong school communities. Tune in for practical advice and thought-provoking ideas on navigating the complexities of educational leadership.
Resources mentioned:
- Nick Hart’s books:
- Creating a strong culture and a positive climate in schools
- Impact: a five part framework for making a difference in schools
- Nick Hart’s blog posts discussed in this episode:
- Leadership handbook 5.0
- School improvement: Rhythm of the year
- Culture setting | More than words
- A model for school improvement
- Vivianne Robinson
- Mary Kennedy
- Dr. Neil Gilbride
- Bryk and Schneider
- Ambition Institute - The persistent problems of school leadership
- AERO
You can connect with Nick:
Twitter: @MrNickHart
Website:mrnickhart.wordpress.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) CourseWhile there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths?In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond. More info https://www.learnwithlee.net/a-systematic-and-structured-approach-to-teaching-primary-mathematics/10% off Discount code: MATESRATES
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Zach Groshell for the third of their trilogy of conversations together. In their first episode, they unpacked the nuances of teaching effectively. In the second one, they spoke about coaching, culture and change. In today’s podcast, you will hear them discuss the complex world of school leadership! They explore the key elements that contribute to a positive and productive school culture. From going beyond superficial evaluation methods to building a diverse team that leverages everyone's strengths, they cover a range of important topics that will help school leaders create a thriving learning environment for both students and teachers.
Zach’s four points were:
- Leaders need to start minimizing evaluations and start maximizing teacher performance
- Leaders should view behavior as a system that involves everyone, including them
- Leaders don’t have to be the best teachers on earth, but they do have to know something about instruction
- Leaders should move away from one-off PD as the primary means of teacher training.
Brendan’s 4 points were:
- Leaders need to have their fingers on the pulse
- Clear Communication is key
- Leaders need to build a diverse team
- Good leaders don't care about who is right or wrong
Resources mentioned:
- Zach’s newly released book: Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching
- Viviane Robinson - Reduce change to increase improvement
- Daniel Kahnemann - Thinking, Fast and Slow
- Progressively Incorrect S4E10: Nathaniel Swain, Steven Capp, and Katie Roberts-Hull on Harnessing the Science of Learning
You can connect with Zach:
Twitter: @mrzachg
Podcast: Progressively Incorrect
Website: educationrickshaw.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) CourseWhile there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths?In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond. More info https://www.learnwithlee.net/a-systematic-and-structured-approach-to-teaching-primary-mathematics/10% off Discount code: MATESRATES
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Leslie Laud. She is the founding Director of ThinkSRSD, a writing program built upon Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). The discussion covers ThinkSRSD's key strategies, including mnemonics and how to apply them across different grade levels and writing genres. Furthermore, Dr. Laud addresses implementation challenges and provides advice for teachers, emphasising a gradual release of responsibility, the significance of teacher collaboration and the need for professional development that respects teachers' unique contexts.
Resources mentioned:
- thinksrsd.com
- Facebook Group: think SRSD "Self-Regulated Strategy Development": Releasing Writers
- Facebook Group: ThinkSRSD New Zealand and Australia
- SRSD
- Charles Haynes from Talking to Writing
- Judith Hochman
- Writing Revolution
- Karen Harris
- Steve Graham
- Amy Thomas
- Pooja Patel
- Nate Hanford, Leslie Laud, and Elizabeth Rinstra: ThinkSRSD A Secondary Analysis Cohort Investigation
- Carol Sue Engler
- Linda Mason
- Linda Darling Hammond and Anne Lieberman
- Dr. Charles Haynes
- Dr. Kay Wijekumar
- Gemma Maddocks - GEM Literacy
You can connect with Leslie:
Twitter: @LeslieLaud
Bluesky: @leslielaud.bsky.social
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Bluesky: @learnwithmrlee.bsky.social
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
Register for my upcoming course: A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics
Use the code: MATESRATES for a 10% discount.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and teachers need to be making. They explore how to make teaching and learning the top priority in your school, reclaiming valuable instructional time often lost to distractions. They also unpack the essential elements of effective literacy and numeracy instruction, going beyond the surface level to understand the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum, explicit teaching techniques, and structured implementation processes.
They look at why teaching should be “Fun in the service of learning, not in spite of Learning” and some of the common barriers that school leaders face when initiating change.
Resources mentioned:
- Think Forward Educators
- Bentleigh West PS
- Riverwood PS
- Churchill PS
- Challis Community PS
- Steve Capp
- Lyn Stone
- David Morkunas
- Core Knowledge Foundation
- Toni Hattan-Roberts
- Doug Lemov
- Tom Sherrington
- Dr. Zach Groshell
- Dr. Simon Breakspear
- Katie Roberts-Hull
- Helen Hughes
You can connect with Nathaniel:
Twitter: @NathanielRSwain
Order Nathaniel's book, "Harnessing the Science of Learning"
Website:www.nathanielswain.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
This is the second conversation between Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee. For those that don’t know, Zach is the host of the Progressively Incorrect Podcast and also the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. In this episode, they take a deep dive into some of the key considerations that schools need to take when it comes to instructional coaching.
For this episode, Zach’s four items were:
- Schools need an instructional focus for coaching to be successful.
- Coaching is not only about teaching techniques, but also about fostering teacher judgement.
- Relationships with teachers should not overshadow the goal of coaching
- Coaching cycles and drop ins don’t need to take all that long
Brendan’s four points were:
- Coaches need to shrink the change
- Coaching should feel like a development process, rather than a judgemental one
- Participants need to own the problem
- Get granular with goal setting
Resources mentioned:
- Steplab
- Josh Goodrich - Responsive Coaching
- Teach Like a Champion
- Peps Mccrea
- Jim Knight
- Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
You can connect with Zach:
Twitter: @mrzachg
Podcast: Progressively Incorrect
Website: educationrickshaw.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Implementing the Science of Learning - For School Leaders10% off Discount code: MATESRATES
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Nancy Jordan. She has been at the forefront of all things to do with early numeracy research including looking at screeners and intervention. Many of you come from the science of reading world and are fans of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, Nancy and colleagues have put together a Number Sense one! I’ve popped the citation in the show notes.
Throughout this conversation she delves into what number sense is, why it’s important, how we can develop it and how to assess it. Nancy also covers the role of manipulatives and the transition to understanding fractions.
Resources mentioned:
- SENS: Screener for Early Number Sense
- Number Sense Interventions
- Jordan, N. C., Devlin, B. L., & Botello, M. (2022). Core foundations of early mathematics: refining the number sense framework. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 46, 101181.
- ICME
- Ginsburg, Greenes, & Balfanz - Big Math for Little Kids
- Bob Siegler
- Nora Newcomb
- Chelsea Cutting.
- What Works Clearinghouse
You can connect with Nancy:
Twitter: @Dr_nancyjordan
Email: njordan@udel.edu
Website:https://sites.google.com/a/udel.edu/nancy-jordan/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rhonda Filmer, a gifted education consultant and teacher, she discusses her journey into the field and the importance of understanding neurodiversity and twice exceptional students. She has recently released a book, “Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student” and they delve into some of the key points from the book throughout the episode.
Resources mentioned:
- Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University
- Tom Bennett
- Michelle Ronksley-Pavia
- Gifted Education Resource Center at New South Wales University
- Miraca Gross
- SPELD NSW
You can connect with Rhonda:
Book:Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee and Dr. Zach Groshell (Host of the Progressively Incorrect podcast) collaborated in the first of a series of episodes together. The theme for this episode was around what are the main principles that teachers need to understand about how learning happens and what are the key mechanisms of effective instruction.
Zach’s 4 points were:
- Intrinsic motivation is a lofty goal but can't be depended upon.
- Use generative learning strategies after building prior knowledge - and without the help of AI.
- The environment is not the "Third Teacher" but it can be designed optimally.
- We might underestimate how much students appreciate receiving feedback.
Brendan’s 4 points were:
- The instructional hierarchy is the single most important thing for teachers to know
- Desirable difficulties optimises learning
- Attaining and retaining attention is easier said than done
- Designing learning is more than just sequencing concepts in small steps
Resources mentioned:
- Haring and Eaton’s Instructional Hierarchy
- Bjork and Bjork’s Desirable Difficulties
- Fiorella and Mayer - Eight Ways to Promote Generative Learning
- Stanislas Dehaene - How we learn
- Daniel Willingham - Why don’t students like school
- Amanda VanDerHeyden
- Dylan Wiliam
You can connect with Zach:
Twitter: @mrzachg
Podcast: Progressively Incorrect
Website:educationrickshaw.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
- This was originally published on 15 Sep 2024 with poor sound quality, it was re-published on 20 Sep 2024 with improved sound quality! Hope you enjoy the episode!
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Charlotte Peverett, an experienced learning specialist and inclusion outreach coach, who shares her journey into teaching and special education. Charlotte discusses the significance of structures and routines in creating a safe and consistent learning environment. Charlotte also emphasises the importance of high expectations for all students and the role of teachers in preparing them for adulthood and functioning in society. In this conversation, Charlotte and Brendan discuss the importance of positive reinforcement and effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in schools. They also speak the role of leadership in planning and using data to drive improvement.
Resources mentioned:
- Tom Bennett
- La Trobe University - SOLAR Lab
- Sherrington & Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
- You can listen to Tom speak about this on episode 5 of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast
- Christopher Such - The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading
- You can listen to Chris speak about this on episode 17 of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast
- Rosenshine’s Principles
You can connect with Charlotte:
Twitter: @lifeoflottie
Facebook: Science of Learning - Special Education Australia
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Charlotte PeverettCharlotte is an autistic, special education Learning Specialist/Inclusion Outreach Coach in South-West Victoria. Her specialty is literacy and language intervention with a passion to introduce research and evidence-based practices into mainstream and specialist settings. Charlotte has her Master of Education (LIHI) and is a postgraduate research student with the Latrobe University SOLAR Lab and is an Honorary Affiliate member of the Institute of Special Education (InSpEd). Charlotte has presented at numerous conferences and works with schools to change systems and practices to ensure all students are reaching their full potential.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Jonathan Sharples from the Education Endowment Foundation. He has led the recent update to the EEF’s A School’s Guide to Implementation and in this conversation we unpack the paper. Professor Sharples details the updates and why they were made. He also digs into each of the key elements. As Jonathan highlights, how something is done is as important as what is done and throughout this episode, he provides a number of practical strategies that schools can follow.
Resources mentioned:
- Education Endowment Foundation: A School’s Guide to Implementation - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/implementation
- Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/teaching-assistants
- Darren Moore
- Martin Weswell
- Research Core Network
- Active Implementation Hub
- National Implementation Research Network
- Robin Mildon
- Centre for Evidence and Implementation
You can connect with Jonathan:
Twitter: @Sharples_J
Website:educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bethany Rittle-Johnson, a professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University. Bethany has led a lot of the research around conceptual and procedural knowledge. In this chat, she delves into this topic and also discuss other high impact strategies such as worked examples, self-explanations and the power of comparisons in supporting student learning.
Resources mentioned:
- Megan Frankly
- The Ericsson Institute
- DREME Network: dreme.stanford.edu
- What Works Clearinghouse offers overviews of the research for K-12 education.
You can connect with Bethany:
Twitter: @BethanyRittle
Email:bethany.rittle-johnson@vanderbilt.edu
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
WEBSITE BLURB
About My broad interests concern how people learn and how to improve their learning. My research focuses on learning of key concepts and problem-solving procedures within mathematics, with an emphasis on experiences that promote learning. I conduct this research in both laboratory and classroom contexts to better understand learning processes and contribute to improvements in math education.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Pamela Snow. She has been at the coalface fighting for evidence-based reading instruction to be common practice for a number of years and throughout this conversation, she provides nuggets of gold in describing how when we talk about phonics we need to be using it as an adjective with a noun following it. Pamela unpacks why this debate about reading has been going on for so long and why changing teacher practice can be so challenging. She also delves into what parents need to know and what questions they could be asking.
Resources mentioned:
- Grattan Institute - The Reading Guarantee
- Nancy Young’s Reading and Writing Ladder
- Science of Reading Podcast S2-05: The Right to Read Project on nurturing automatic readers: Margaret Goldberg and Alanna Mednick
- Troy Verey
- Dr Danielle Colenbrander
- Dr. Pam Kastner
- Emily Hanford - Sold a Story
- Professor Lorraine Hammond
You can connect with Pam:
Twitter: @PamelaSnow2
Website:https://pamelasnow.blogspot.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jamie Clark, an English teacher and lead practitioner specialising in pedagogy and digital learning. They discuss his recently released book, One Pagers and unpack how it could be used. Jamie breaks down a number of the techniques mentioned in the book and describes his thinking process in putting it all together. He also provides some super useful tips on how teachers can design their own.
Resources mentioned:
- Oliver Caviglioli
- Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
- Apple
- Oliver Caviglioli and David Goodwin - Organising Ideas
- John Catt Education
- Ron Berger
- S02E10 - Bron Ryrie Jones on Responsive Teaching and Instructional Playbooks
- Doug Lemov - Teach Like a Champion
- Steplab
You can connect with Jamie:
Twitter: @XpatEducator
Instagram: @xpateducator
Linkedin: @jamieleeclark85
Website:www.jamieleeclark.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emina McLean. Emina works with systems, schools, leaders, and teachers to develop ambitious and rigorous assessment, curriculum and instruction practices in English and literacy. In this chat, Emina discusses her focus on implementing effective systems and practices for teaching reading and writing. She highlights the importance of aligning curriculum, assessment, and instruction, and the need for a well-sequenced and comprehensive curriculum. Emina also unpacks the challenges of implementing evidence-based practice in schools, including the overwhelming number of competing priorities.
Resources mentioned:
- A Single Shard - Linda Sue Park
- Ochre Education
- EEF - Implementation Guide
You can connect with Emina:
Twitter: @EminaMcLean
Email: emina.mclean@gmail.com
Website: www.eminamclean.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, an instructional coach who supports teachers and instructional leaders to develop their expertise. She discusses the importance of responsive teaching and shares techniques to effectively check for understanding in the classroom. She emphasises the need for teachers to have a deep understanding of the principles behind responsive teaching before implementing specific techniques.
Bron also explains the concept of instructional playbooks and how they can be useful for schools. She unpacks the potential dangers and how to avoid these pitfalls.
Resources mentioned:
- Jim Knight - Instructional Playbook
- Ray Boyd - West Beechborough PS
- Brad Nguyen
- Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
- Dylan Wiliam and Siobhan Leahy - Embedding Formative Assessment
- Harry Fletcher-Wood - Responsive Teaching
- Atul Gawande - The Checklist Manifesto
You can connect with Bronwyn:
Twitter: @BronRyrieJones
Linkedin: @bronwyn-ryrie-jones/
Website:bronwynryriejones.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Trisha Jha who currently works with the Centre for Independent Studies and recently released a couple of reports titled: What is the Science of Learning? And Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences. Trisha unpacks these papers and discusses her journey into education research and the importance of focusing on what happens in the classroom. Throughout the conversation Trisha defines what the science of learning is and the difficulty in making cognitive science common knowledge.
The conversation also explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding explicit instruction and how teachers engage with the science of learning. We also delve into what schools and systems can do to support effective implementation.
Resources mentioned:
- What is the Science of Learning? https://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/
- Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences https://www.cis.org.au/publication/implementing-the-science-of-learning-teacher-experiences/
- Greg Ashman
- Jennifer Buckingham
- Five from Five
- Why Jaydon Can’t Read: A Forum on Fixing Literacy
- Kevin Knight
- Education Endowment Foundation
- 24 – Jessica Del Rio on solving illiteracy in Australia
- Daniel Willingham: Why don’t students like school
- Hollingsworth and Ybarra: Explicit Direct Instruction
- Daisy Christodoulou: 7 Myths about Education
- E.D. Hirsch: Why knowledge matters
- David Diddau and Nick Rose: What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Psychology
- Zac Groshell: Progressively Incorrect
- Anna Stokke: Chalk and Talk
- Ollie Lovell: ERRR Podcast
You can connect with:
Twitter: @themetresgained
Linkedin: Trisha Jha
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Trisha JhaTrisha Jha is a Research Fellow in the Education program, working on projects relating to the science of learning, improvement of initial teacher education and overall school quality.
Prior to rejoining CIS, Trisha had roles as a secondary teacher, including through the Teach for Australia program, in state and independent schools in regional Victoria. She has also worked as a senior policy adviser to opposition leaders in Victoria. She holds a Masters of Teaching with a specialisation in Research from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the Australian National University.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Mark Dowley (Associate Head – Staff Development at the Crowther Centre for Applied Educational Research) who has recently released the book, “The Classroom Management Handbook” that he co-authored with Ollie Lovell. In this chat, they unpack the book and how it’s what Mark and Ollie wish they had when they started teaching. They also discuss ten important principles for classroom management, including the idea that behavior is a curriculum and the importance of mastering one's own behavior to influence others. The conversation also explores the use of scripts and tools to support effective behavior management.
Resources mentioned:
https://classroommanagementhandbook.com/
Bill Rogers - Know the fair rules
Mastery Schools Australia
Marsden Road PS
Tom Bennett
Michael Fullan - Six Secrets of Change
You can connect with Mark:
Twitter: @coachdowley
Website:classroommanagementhandbook.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rebecca Birch, a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She shares her journey from a career in fashion and advertising to becoming an English teacher. Rebecca emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice and the need for teachers to be sceptical and critical of educational trends. She also highlights the challenges of implementing explicit instruction and the need for standardised teacher preparation programs. Rebecca calls for a clear hierarchy of importance within teacher standards and the role of teacher preparation in reinforcing those standards. The conversation also touches on strategies for schools to drive improvement without waiting for systemic changes.
Resources mentioned:
- Reimagining Teacher Professionalism. Why standards must be part of ITE reform
- Knowledge Society - Elena Douglas
- Trisha Jha
- What is the Science of Learning? https://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/
- Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences https://www.cis.org.au/publication/implementing-the-science-of-learning-teacher-experiences/
- Strong Beginnings: Report of the Teacher Education Expert Panel
- Andrew Martin
- Kate Jones
- ResearchEd
- Alex Quigley: https://www.theconfidentteacher.com/
- Anita Archer
- Hollingsworth and Ybarra - Explicit Direct Instruction
You can connect with Rebecca:Twitter: @msrebeccabirch
Linkedin: @rebeccabirch
Website:https://rebeccabirch.au/
Substack: https://rebeccabirch.substack.com/
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Rebecca Birch Rebecca Birch is a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She worked as a learning support officer in diverse settings while she undertook her teacher training after a successful career in advertising and fashion.
Rebecca has provided consultation and content services for Ochre Education and Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, and has appeared on panels for ResearchED and the Gonski Institute for Education. Her current research interest is the link between explicit instruction and student wellbeing. She writes for publication and through her newsletter (rebeccabirch.substack.com/).
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Tom Bennett, the Director and founder of researchED and school behaviour advisor to the UK government. He shares his journey from running nightclubs to becoming an influential figure in the education sector and we find out how teaching saved him. Bennett delves into the challenges he faced as a teacher, how he got into writing about behaviour, and his eventual role as the UK's Department for Education School Behavior Advisor. He highlights the integral role of setting clear behavioural expectations and embedding routines in creating a conducive learning environment. Tom also discusses the creation and implementation of a behaviour curriculum and the origins of researchED.
Resources mentioned:
- Tom Bennett - Running the Room: The Teacher's Guide to Behaviour
- Greg Ashman
- Daisy Christodolou: Seven Myths about Education
- Daniel T. Willingham: Why Don't Students Like School?
- Bill Rogers
You can connect with Tom:
Twitter: @tombennett71
Website:https://tombennetttraining.co.uk/
Substack: https://bennettt.substack.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks with Sarah Powell. Sarah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She has pretty much dedicated her whole career to researching word problems in maths. She has also contributed to a couple of papers that have recently been released for the Centre for Independent Studies and we touch on those as well.
However, the main focus is Word Problems and we go through everything from Attack Strategies, to the dangers of using keywords and delve into the world of schema instruction. If you care about helping your students improve their ability to solve word problems, then this episode is for you.
Resources mentioned:
- Lynn Fuchs
- Sarah Powell , Elizabeth M. Hughes, Corey Peltier: Myths That Undermine Maths Teaching
- Sarah Powell , Sarah King , Sarah Benz: Maths Practices You Can Count On: Five Research-Validated Practices in Mathematics
- https://www.piratemathequationquest.com/
- Powell, S. R., Namkung, J. M., & Lin, X. (2022). An investigation of using keywords to solve word problems. The Elementary School Journal, 122(3), 452-473.
- Powell, S. R., & Fuchs, L. S. (2018). Effective word-problem instruction: Using schemas to facilitate mathematical reasoning. Teaching exceptional children, 51(1), 31-42.
- Free word-problem intervention is here: https://www.piratemathequationquest.com/
- Here's a free math intervention course Sarah developed: https://intensiveintervention.org/training/course-content/intensive-intervention-mathematics
- And free teacher materials can be found here: https://mathspiral.com/
You can connect with Sarah:
Twitter: @sarahpowellphd
email: srpowell@utexas.edu
Website:http://www.sarahpowellphd.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Associate Professor Sarah PowellSarah R. Powell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include developing and testing interventions for students with mathematics difficulties, with a special emphasis on peer tutoring, word-problem solving, mathematics writing, and the symbols and vocabulary within mathematics.
She was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2019.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He currently works at La Trobe University as a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement and the Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs. He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators. Nathaniel first appeared on the Knowledge for Teachers podcast in episode 20 and unpacked some of the FAQ about the science of learning. This time they delve into the messy world of teaching writing. He explains how writing is a complex skill and provides practical strategies for sequencing the teaching of grammar and integrating writing into the curriculum.
Resources mentioned:
- Wexler and Hochman - The Writing Revolution
- William Van Cleave - Writing Matters
- Think Forward Educators
- Ochre Education
- La Trobe Short Courses:
- Masterclass: Developing Great Writing Skills - Once off - 19 March 2024 (live or asynchronous): https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/masterclass-developing-great-writing-skills
- Improving Writing - The Science and Linguistics of Writing - Starting 16 April 2024 (live or asynchronous): https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/improving-writing-the-science-and-linguistics-of-writing
- The Science of Teaching Writing - Starting 4 June 2024 (live or asynchronous): https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/the-science-of-teaching-writing
You can connect with:Nathaniel
Twitter: @NathanielRSwain
Website:www.nathanielswain.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Jenny Donovan, CEO of the Australian Education Research Organisation. Jenny has led some of the heaviest hitting bits of research in Australia. In her current role with AERO and previous one with NSW Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, Jenny has been behind the teams that brought cognitive load theory to prominence and highlighted the lack of evidence behind programs like Reading Recovery and Language Learning & Literacy or L3 as it is more commonly known.
Throughout this interview, she discusses her journey into education research and the importance of evidence-based practice. Jenny emphasises the importance of areas such as explicit instruction, classroom management, teacher training, standardised testing like NAPLAN, and accountability in educational practices. It also touches on controversial topics such as fads in education and how to spot and avoid them.
Resources mentioned:
- AERO: Teaching for how students learn: A model of learning and teaching
- AERO: Engaged classrooms through effective classroom management
- NSW CESE: Cognitive load theory: Research that teachers really need to understand
- NSW CESE: Reading Recovery: a sector-wide analysis
- NSW CESE: Language, Learning & Literacy (L3) Review
- Project Follow Through
You can connect with: Jenny
Twitter: @JennyDonovan2
AERO
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this conversation, Brendan Lee speaks with James Dobson, an experienced teacher who has been expertly applying the art and science of learning when teaching students in their first year of school (Kindergarten/Prep/Reception/Foundation). He discusses the importance of evidence-based practice, the use of Direct Instruction programs, and the challenges and rewards of teaching young children. James shares insights on maintaining sanity in the classroom while balancing work and personal life. We also delve into James' weekly timetable, looking at phonemic awareness, phonics, handwriting, writing and mathematics. He really gets into the nitty-gritty of what his lessons look like day-to-day and how they progress throughout the year.
Resources mentioned:
- Siegfried Engelmann
- Story Champs
- Heggerty’s phonemic awareness program
- Little Learner’s Love Literacy
- Core Knowledge
- Ochre
- Grammar Project
- Number blocks
- Direct Instruction Mathematics by Marcy Stein
- Doug Lemov’s Teach Like a Champion
- Shaping Minds
- Christopher SUch’s The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading
- Sharing Best Practice
- ResearchEd
You can connect with James:Twitter: @jdtdobson
Instagram: @mr_j_dobson
Website: layingthefoundations.weebly.com/
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About James Dobson James Dobson is a Foundation teacher and Learning Specialist at Campbells Creek Primary School including Guildford Campus in central Victoria. James has worked with students from a diverse range of backgrounds in Victoria and the Northern Territory. During his time in the NT, he implemented a range of Direct Instruction programs and became an accredited DI trainer. He was a finalist for the Outstanding Primary Teacher award as a part of the 2022 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. James is passionate about ensuring that all students receive a quality education. This begins by laying a solid foundation.
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Ray Boyd, the Foundation Principal of Dayton Primary School. Throughout the interview he shares his journey into education leadership and the pedagogic shift he led at his previous school West Beechboro P.S. He reflects on the mistakes made and lessons learned during his time there and discusses the surprises and challenges of starting a new school.
Dr. Boyd also explains the vision and mission of Dayton Primary School and how he communicates it to the community. Dr. Boyd underscores the vital role of fostering success and creating robust support systems within schools. He stresses intentional communication with parents and the cultivation of a positive school culture. Ray delves into strategies for nurturing staff well-being, employing tools like playbooks and coaching. He highlights the importance of revisiting priorities and setting precise goals for professional development. As the discussion concludes, Ray provides valuable tips for a strong start to the school year and recommends resources such as cognitive load theory and educational research books.
Listen to this episode for profound insights and guidance tailored for school leaders.
Resources mentioned:
- James Nottingham
- Luke George
- Rachael Lehr
- Steph Le Lievre (features on S01E02 Of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast)
- James Clear - Atomic Habits
- Greg Sullivan
- John Fleming
- ED Hirsch
- David Wanstall
- Lorraine Hammond
- Ken Rowe
- John Hollingsworth
- Joe Ybarra
- Louisa Moats
- Simon Sinek
- Spelling Mastery
- Peter DeWitt
- John Hattie
- Joel Birch
- Seth Godin - Song of Significance
- Jim Knight
You can connect with Ray:Twitter: @RayBoyd007
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rayboyd007/
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Dr. Ray BoydDr Ray Boyd, DipT., MSL., Ed.D.. FACELWA., FACEL is the foundation principal of Dayton Primary School. Prior to this he led a school that achieved remarkable improvement, resulting in his team mentoring WA school personnel as a part of the Centre for Excellence in Literacy initiative. Ray’s world is dominated by the need to improve teaching and learning in schools, having done considerable work with state and interstate schools in developing highly effective teaching models alongside their leadership teams. Prior to his career as a school leader, Ray competed at an international level, representing Australia at the World Cross Country Championship, in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Athens, and was a member of the Australian Team that won the International Ekiden Relay Championships in 1995.
Brendan Lee provides his key takeaways from the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast for 2023. This year he spoke to people such as Tom Sherrington, Daisy Christodoulou, Christopher Such and many more. Find out what he took away from these conversations.
He has split this episode into three sections:
- Science of reading
- Science of maths
- Implementing the science of learning
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Corey Peltier who is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. He also contributes to The Science of Math movement that is focused on disseminating research-informed recommendations to enhance math instruction and outcomes for students and this is the area that is unpacked in this episode.
In this conversation, they look at some of the points from the paper, Myths That Undermine Maths Teaching that he co-authored with Sarah Powell and Elizabeth M. Hughes. He also explains how teachers can use the Instructional Hierarchy to improve student performance, why curriculum-based measurements are useful, how we can build math fact fluency and much more.
Resources mentioned:
- Sarah Powell
- Amanda VanderHeyden
- Robin Codding
- Journal of Behavioral Education
- The ABCs of CBM by Michelle K. Hosp, John L. Hosp, and Kenneth W. Howell.
- Brian Poncy - https://brianponcy.wixsite.com/mind
- Doug and Lynn Fuchs
- Pirate Math - https://www.piratemathequationquest.com/
- Self-Regulate Strategy Development
- National Center on Intensive Intervention - https://intensiveintervention.org/
- Journal of Behavioral Education Special Edition on Instructional Hierarchy - https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40086112
- Benjamin Solomon and Brian Poncy, A review of common rates of improvement when implementing whole-number operation math interventions: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-70602-005
You can connect with Corey:
Twitter: @CoreyJPeltier
Website: coreypeltier.substack.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Tim McDonald who is currently the CEO of YMCA WA and previously led Catholic Education WA, the Minderoo Foundation and was the Education Lead for Knowledge Society. Recently, he wrote a paper for the Centre for Independent Studies titled: Teaching Behaviour: How Classroom Conduct Can Unlock Better Learning. Throughout this conversation, he touches on a lot of the key points from the report and talks about what schools can do to build a behaviour curriculum. He also answers some of the tough questions on things such as phones in schools, exclusions and behaviour expectations.
Resources mentioned:
- Teaching Behaviour: How Classroom Conduct Can Unlock Better Learning
- Classroom Management: Engaging students in learning
- Tom Bennett, Running the Room
- Anita Archer
- Urie Bronfenbrenner
- Doug Lemov
Classroom Management Classroom Management
You can connect with:
Twitter: @DrTimMcDonald1
Website:www.classroommastery.com.au/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jessica Colleu Terradas the Senior Officer Teaching and Learning Literacy and Instructional Coach in Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education. In 2022, she travelled to the USA, England and France where she met with leading experts to investigate effective literacy screening and instructional practices to support older struggling readers as part of her Churchill Fellowship. She details some of the findings from her report in this chat.
She speaks about her amazing experience meeting people like Anita Archer and Stanislas Dehaene and goes through some case studies of schools that have implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support framework effectively.
Resources mentioned:
- Jessica Colleu Terradas Churchill Fellowship: To identify effective language and literacy screening and intervention practices for at-risk students
- Anita Archer
- Stanislas Dehaene - How We Learn
- 2 reports on better supporting students who enter secondary school with gaps in their foundational literacy and numeracy skills and guide about MTSS, published/funded by AERO in partnership with Monash Uni: https://www.edresearch.edu.au/resources/supporting-secondary-students-lacking-foundational-literacy-and-numeracy-skills-research-summaryEEF
- Diane and James Murphy’s book ‘Thinking Reading: what every secondary teacher need to know about reading’ https://www.amazon.com.au/Thinking-Reading-Every-Secondary-Teacher/dp/1911382683
- Improving literacy in secondary schools, by the Education Endowment Foundation: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/literacy-ks3-ks4
- The national Institute for Direct Instruction (official website): https://www.nifdi.org/
- The Theory of Instruction: applications and strategies (1982 Ed.) by Engelmann & Carnine: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Doug-Carnine/publication/303721842_Theory_of_Instruction_Principles_and_Applications/links/574f661a08aef199238ef8b6/Theory-of-Instruction-Principles-and-Applications.pdf (download a revised copy) . Order a copy: https://www.amazon.com.au/Theory-Instruction-Applications-Siegfried-Engelmann/dp/1880183803
- Podcast: the Science of Reading platform with Susan Lambert https://amplify.com/science-of-reading-the-podcast/
You can connect with Jess:
Twitter: @JessicaColleu
LinkedIn: @jessicacolleu/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jessica Del Rio the government and public finance lead at Equity Economics. She has recently been involved in a couple of major reports that have highlighted the poor literacy standards across Australia.
- Raising the grade: How schools in the Australian Capital Territory can lift literacy outcomes for students and the economy, written for the ACT Alliance for Evidence-Based Education and funded by the Snow Foundation
- Saving Money by Spending: Solving Illiteracy in Australia, commissioned by Code Read Dyslexia Network Australia
In this conversation, Jess will tell us how bleak our current situation is, what needs to be done, what will happen if changes aren’t made and go through some examples of who is doing this well.
Resources mentioned:
- Rowe, K., & National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy (Australia). (2005). Teaching Reading: Report and Recommendations. Department of Education, Science and Training. https://research.acer.edu.au/tll_misc/5
- Knowledge for Teachers Podcast
- 14 – Ross Fox on how Catalyst is transforming lives through learning (Catalyst Part 1)
- 15 – Patrick Ellis on considerations for change (Catalyst Part 2)
- 16 – St Bernard’s P.S. Transformational Change Through Catalyst (Catalyst Part 3)
- Nancy Young
- Code READ Dyslexia Network
- Fogarty Foundation
- Catalyst
- Think Forward Educators
- Sharing Best Practice
- Australian PISA reports and data files
- Grattan Institute: Widening gaps: what NAPLAN tells us about student progress
- Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast - Ep. 100 Trauma and Reading with Dr. Steven Dykstra
You can connect with Jess:Linkedin
You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bruno Reddy CEO of Maths Circle (Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots). He is the former head of Mathematics at King Solomon Academy and one of the pioneers of mathematics mastery, as we know it today. As you will hear, he is hugely passionate about mathematics and has thought long and hard about what needs to be done to teach it effectively. Some of the things that are just starting to become common practice now, like retrieval practice, spaced practice and variation theory, are things that he was talking about 10 years ago.
Resources mentioned:
King Solomon Academy
Doug Lemov - Teach Like a Champion
Kris Bolton
Brendan Lee - 5 Key Principles for Teaching Primary Mathematics Effectively
Brendan Lee - A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics (Part 1)
Alex Blanksby - Five Ways to use Worked Examples
The ResearchED guide to explicit and direct instruction - Adam Boxer
John Mason and Anne Watson - Thinkers
Episode 18 – Kevin and Robyn Wheldall on Effective Instruction in Reading
Knowledge Society
CogLearn
Think Forward Educations: Sarah Powell - Maths Intervention
Dan Meyer
You can connect with Bruno:
Twitter: @BrunoReddyMaths
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emma Turner. She is an experienced school leader, author and co-host of the Mind the Gap podcast with Tom Sherrington. In this conversation, we dig into her recent books:
- Simplicitus: The interconnected primary curriculum and effective subject leadership
- Simplicitus Altius: Leading the interconnected primary curriculum
- Initium (released 29 Sep): Cognitive science and research-informed primary practice
Her ability to describe what teachers need to know about curriculum development will leave you scribbling down notes throughout the episode. She also touches on what school leaders need to consider, cognitive science through the lens of a primary teacher and much more!
Resources mentioned:
Be More Toddler
Let's Talk about Flex
Jennifer Gonzalez: Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers
The Magic Weaving Business by Sir John Jones
The Behaviour Manual and They Don't Behave For Me by Sam Strickland
The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading by Christopher Such
Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics by Kieran Mackle
Teaching for Mastery by Mark Mccourt
You can connect with Emma:
Twitter: @Emma_Turner75
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
Listen to this live coaching workshop on implementing the science of learning with Dr. Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee.
In this session, you will hear from real teachers discussing their real-world challenges in implementing the science of learning. Dr Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee then guide the teachers and school leaders through some possible solutions, taking an evidence-informed approach.
First, you hear from Ainsley from Mary Mede Catholic College in Victoria who has started to implement a number of evidence-supported strategies and programs but has hit a bit of a plateau. Then you will hear from Sarah and Iona from St. Andrews in Cairns who are right at the start of their science of learning journey.
You can connect with Nathaniel:
Twitter: @NathanielRSwain
Website: https://www.nathanielswain.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He is currently a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University and has also been a speech-language pathologist, teacher and is the founder of Think Forward Educators.
In this conversation, Nathaniel plays the teacher version of Dolly Doctor and addresses some of the most sought-after questions in education and provides a number of practical, ready-to-use examples of how to implement the science of learning.
Resources mentioned: https://thinkforwardeducators.org/ Shane Pearson Phormes.com Core Knowledge Read to Learn Anita Archer Ybarra and Hollingsworth’s Explicit Direct Instruction Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction Wexler and Hochman’s The Writing Revolution William Van Cleave ED Hirsch Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory Greg Ashman’s Filling the Pail blog You can connect with Nathaniel: Twitter: @NathanielRSwain Website: https://www.nathanielswain.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net
In this conversation, Brendan Lee chats with David Morkunas and they touch on a range of topics including why he thinks so many teachers have such a negative attitude towards teaching maths, what the key elements of his maths lessons are and how to teach mixed-ability classes.
Resources mentioned:
Explicit Direct Instruction
Sigfried Englemann
Kirschner, Sweller and Clark
Hochman and Wexler’s The Writing Revolution
George Booker - Teaching Primary Mathematics
Times Tables Rockstars
New Waves Mental Maths
Dr. Stephen Norton - https://mathematicseducation.vhx.tv/
You can connect with Dave through:
Twitter: @DaveMorkunas
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMork
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall and Dr. Robyn Wheldall. They’ve achieved so much throughout their careers. Including co-founding MultiLit a leading provider of effective literacy instruction. In this chat, they describe their journeys and how MultiLit came about. They also speak about their recently published book - Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling.
Resources mentioned:
Book: Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling
MultiLit
Nomanis
NSW CESE
MUSEC
Dr. Coral Kemp
Dr. Mark Carter
Dr. Alison Madelaine
Dr Jennifer Buckingham
Short-Changed: Preparation to teach reading in initial teacher education
Alison McMurtrie
Linnea Ehri
Think Forward Educators
Five from Five
You can connect with Kevin:
Twitter: @KevinWheldall
Website:http://www.kevinwheldall.com/
Email: kevin.wheldall@pecas.com.au
You can connect with Robyn:
Twitter: @RWheldall
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode, I chat with Christopher Such. He is the author of, “The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading” and an experienced teacher, school leader and educational consultant. In our conversation, Chris touches on teacher workload, professional development and he goes through the thought behind his book and how his thinking has developed since its release. We then take a deep dive into teaching reading fluency and look at what it is, common misconceptions that teachers have and what it looks like across different year levels. After that, we somehow manage to fit in an overview of comprehension! This episode is not to be missed!
Resources mentioned:
- Kathy Rastle:
- https://www.rastlelab.com/
- EPS mid-career prize lecture 2017: Writing systems, reading, and language
- Reid Smith, Pamela Snow, Tanya Serry & Lorraine Hammond (2021) The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension: A Critical Review, Reading Psychology, 42:3, 214-240, DOI: 10.1080/02702711.2021.1888348
- Chris’ free curriculum resources: https://primarycolour.home.blog/category/free-resources/
- Debbie Hepplewhite’s Phonics International: https://phonicsinternational.com/
- Lynn Stone
- Castles, A., Rastle, K., & Nation, K. (2018). Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 19(1), 5–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100618772271
- MultiLit: https://multilit.com/
- The Science of Reading: A Handbook, 2nd Edition
- John Walker - Sounds-write
You can connect with Chris:
Twitter: @Suchmo83
Website:https://primarycolour.home.blog/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
This is the final instalment of the three-part series that has focused on the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. Across the 3 episodes, I have delved into Catalyst which is the term used that encompasses their approach to teaching and learning across the system.
In the first part (Episode 14), Ross Fox, the Director described how and why Catalyst came about. Then (Episode 15), Education Lead, Patrick Ellis went into detail about the implementation process.
Today, you will hear about how the messages from Catalyst are being translated into the classroom. Throughout the episode, Johanna Wain (Principal), Jennifer Smith (Coordinator) and Rebecca Brady (Teacher( describe St Bernard’s Primary School's transformation, what they have done to support staff in the change journey and how they have benefited from Catalyst.
Resources mentioned:
Teach Well
EDI
Lorraine Hammond
Brooke Wardana
Let’s Decode
Ochre
Think Forward Educators
RSiS FB group
ERRR Podcast
Bringing Words to Life - Beck, McKeown and Kucan
Dataworks
This is the second of a three-part series that focuses on the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. Across the three episodes, Brendan Lee will delve into Catalyst, the term used that encompasses the system's approach to teaching and learning across the system.
In the previous episode, Brendan spoke with Ross Fox, the Director, and he gave an inspiring recap of how Catalyst was initiated and the vision behind it. In this chat with Patrick Ellis, the Education Lead for Catalyst, you will hear in detail about the implementation process, the challenges they have faced, and what they have learned from it.
Resources mentioned:
Catalyst
COG Learn
Shaping Minds
Teach Well
How Learning Happens - Paul Kirschner and Carl Hendrick
You can connect with Patrick:
Twitter: @ellis_patrick
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/patellis1/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
This is the first of a three-part series that is focused on the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. Across the 3 episodes, Brendan Lee will delve into how they have changed their approach to teaching and learning across the system under the banner of Catalyst.
For this episode, Brendan chats with Ross Fox the Director of the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. He is the visionary behind Catalyst and you will hear about his journey. He will also discuss the process that he and his team have gone through in implementing Catalyst across 56 schools.
Resources mentioned:
https://catalyst.cg.catholic.edu.au/
Deans for Impact - The science of learning
Ochre Education
Spelling Mastery
Knowledge Society
E.D. Hirsch Jr - Why Knowledge Matters
Cognitive Load Theory
https://www.ollielovell.com/errr/lorrainehammond/
You can connect with Ross:
Twitter: @Rossefox
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee chats with Jordan O’Sullivan from Shaping Minds. Together with Jared Bussell and now Brooke Wardana, they have been supporting teachers in implementing the science of learning in the classroom through practical professional learning combined with lesson demonstrations. For this podcast, Jordan goes through the simple memory model, the process of building a mathematics curriculum, delivering effective PL and much much more.
Resources mentioned:
Willingham’s Simple Memory Model (Article by Tom Sherrington and graphic by Oliver Caviglioli)
Fred Jones - Tools for Teaching
Ybarra and Hollingsworth’s Explicit Direct Instruction
Archer and Hughes - Explicit Instruction
Guskey, Thomas. (2002). Professional Development and Teacher Change. Teachers and Teaching. 8. 381-391. 10.1080/135406002100000512
Sarah Cottingham - https://overpractised.wordpress.com/
Craig Barton - How I wish I’d taught maths
Kirschner, P. A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R. E. (2006). Why minimal guidance during instruction does not work: An analysis of the failure of constructivist, discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry-based teaching. Educational psychologist, 41(2), 75-86.
Ollie Lovell - Cognitive Load Theory in Action
You can connect with:
Twitter: @ShapingmindsAus
Facebook: @ShapingMindsAustralia/
Website:https://shapingminds.com.au/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
This is the second episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, which focuses on Marsden Road Public School. In the previous chat, Brendan Lee spoke with Marsden Road’s Principal, Manisha Gazula. Her story has inspired thousands of educators around the world. In this conversation, you will hear from Deputy Principal, Troy Verey. He is a highly respected educator in his own right and is also a shining example of Manisha’s ability to support the development of her staff. Throughout the conversation, Troy details the Core Program and describes what it looks like in the classroom.
Resources mentioned:
www.training247.com.au/
Get Reading Right
Pr1ME Maths
Doug Lemov
John Sweller
Daniel Willingham’s Why Don’t Students Like School
Rosenshine’s Principles
Ybarra and Hollingsworth’s Explicit Direct Instruction
Lorraine Hammond
Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO)
Castles, A., Rastle, K., & Nation, K. (2018). Ending the reading wars: Reading acquisition from novice to expert. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 19(1), 5-51.
You can connect with Troy:
Twitter: @TVtheTeacher
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee had the opportunity of visiting Marsden Road Public School and then speaking to the Principal, Manisha Gazula. Marsden Road has recently featured in a number of reports from the Grattan Institute on role-model schools from around the country. This is the first of a two part series on the school. In the next episode, you will hear from Deputy Principal Troy Verey.
Manisha’s leadership style has been compared to Katherine Birbilsingh from Michaela Community School in the UK. However, in this conversation you will hear how Manisha’s clear vision, high expectations and relentless care have turned the schools results and culture around. Manisha also details their behaviour curriculum called The Marsden Way and their whole school curriculum - the Core Program.
Resources mentioned:
Joanne Dooner - www.training247.com.au/
Dan Willingham
Mark Seidenberg
The Grattan Institute - Jordana Hunter and Amy Haywood
How to implement a whole-school curriculum approach
Ending the lesson lottery: How to improve curriculum planning in schools
You can connect with Manisha:
Twitter: @manisha_gazula
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Kieran Mackle. Kieran is a primary mathematics specialist teacher from the UK, an author and is currently working with Complete Maths. He is also the host of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, a podcast that should be on your playlist, and this episode is actually the second part of our conversation. In the first part, Kieran quizzes me for his podcast. However, in this episode you will get an in-depth look at how deeply Kieran has thought about primary mathematics. We look at a number of topics including:
- Concrete, context, pictorial, abstract, language
- Threshold concepts
- Depth and Challenge
- Storytelling
- Word problems
In this episode, Kieran also analyses the lesson structure that I recently proposed.
Resources mentioned:
- Christopher Such
- Neil Almond
- www.thinkingdeeply.info/threshold-concepts
- Jonathan Hall - mathsbot.com
- Gareth Metcalfe - https://garethmetcalfe.wordpress.com/
- Dan Willingham
- Nick Hart
Part 1 of the conversation: Episode 120 Thinking Deeply about Primary Education - In search of the Science of Mathematics (Teaching) with Brendan Lee
- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thinking-deeply-about-primary-education/id1546748470?i=1000609050064
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6De7GSKd2DlEoTxUFI4w0m?si=1RmPR-P3S6aYE54CsV1aDQ&fbclid=IwAR0yZzIAvzTgDrP3aN8_myL-3ZLBDi6KpAmJBYEfrGii2ObTkr1ABqplfhY&nd=1
My original blog post on A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics:
https://www.learnwithlee.net/a-systematic-and-structured-approach-to-teaching-primary-mathematics-part-1/
You can connect with Kieran:
Twitter: @Kieran_M_Ed
Website: thinkingdeeply.info
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Karen Tzanetopoulos, a trained speech and language pathologist. Karen tells us about how she started working out of an office that was like a janitor’s closet to quietly do her own structured literacy with students and how her interest in math began while working in the public schools, as she observed that many of her students with language disorders also struggled to learn math and then she made a connection between the two.
In this conversation, Karen goes through everything from the fundamentals that students need automaticity in, common misconceptions, the importance of language to maths, how to approach word problems and much much more.
Resources mentioned:
-
How Children Learn Math The Science of Math Learning in Research and Practice (Nancy Krasa, Karen Tzanetopoulos, Colleen Maas)
-
sternmath.com
You can connect with Karen:
mathandlanguage.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Dr. Rouzana Komesidou, a researcher who fell into implementation science after seeing the gap between research and practice in schools. In our conversation, she gives an overview of what things schools should consider before implementing something, how leaders can support the process and what things to avoid.
Resources mentioned in this conversation:
- Dr. Tiffany Hogan
- Dr. James Mannion
- A Generic Implementation Framework for School-based Research and Practice:
- Pre-print: https://osf.io/6zpq7/
- Toolkit: https://osf.io/mzb5d
You can connect with Rouzana:
Twitter: @rkomesidou
Website: https://mosinian.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to former principal, Greg Clement. In this conversation, we find out how he transformed Clayton South Primary School from the worst school in the network to the second best within 12 months. Greg also speaks about how a speech pathologist set him on the science of reading pathway, how he got buy-in from staff and the community and we go through his three year Action Plan.
Resources and people mentioned
Greg Clement’s book - Transform: Achieving excellence through the science of reading
Alison Clarke - What's wrong with predictable or repetitive texts
Laura Sundqvist
Toni-Hatten Roberts
Emina Mclean
David Morkunas
Orton-Gillingham Approach
Little Learners Love Literacy
educeri.com
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee talks to curriculum expert Reid Smith, founder and co-CEO of Ochre Education and Head of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction at Ballarat Clarendon College. Reid’s done a lot of research around the importance of knowledge for comprehension and cognitive load theory.
In this conversation, Reid talks about:
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The importance of working in teams
-
What we need to consider when designing a knowledge-rich curriculum
-
Why teachers need to lose the idea that we need to do it all
-
The origin story of Ochre Education
-
The components involved with the makeup of Ochre lessons
-
He mentioned the quote from Richard Elmore “You learn to do the work, by doing the work, not by talking about the work.” and related it to the importance of actually analysing real lesson plans, rather than just asking general questions
And much more!
Resources mentioned in this conversation:
Greg Ashman
Core Knowledge Foundation
Wiggins and McTighe
Read2Learn
Syntax Project (I spoke to Steph Le Lievre, one of the creators in Episode 2)
Oak National Academy
Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO)
This is Reid’s paper that was mentioned:
Reid Smith, Pamela Snow, Tanya Serry & Lorraine Hammond (2021) The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension: A Critical Review, Reading Psychology, 42:3, 214-240, DOI: 10.1080/02702711.2021.1888348
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee chats to Tom Sherrington about how Tom randomly found some Bill Rogers videos that were transformational for him. How he worked out the need to deliver precise professional learning for teachers and the common challenges that schools face. Tom also goes through how schools are using Teaching Walkthrus effectively.
Resources mentioned in this conversation:
- Walkthrus.co.uk
- teacherhead.com
- teachingsprints.com.au
- Australian Walkthrus Workshop - Thursday 30th March
- Daniel Willingham’s Why don’t students like school
- Megan Sumeracki, Oliver Caviglioli, and Yana Weinstein: Understanding How We Learn
- Everything from Dylan Wiliam about Formative Assessment including he’s recent episode on Tom and Emma Turner’s podcast - Mind the Gap
You can connect with Tom:
Twitter: @teacherhead
Website: https://teacherhead.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this wide-ranging conversation, Brendan Lee chats with Daisy Christodoulou and Jeanette Breen about all things to do with education. On the 10th anniversary of the 7 Myths about Education, he asks Daisy if there are any changes or additions she would make. She also talks about why rubrics give us an illusion of a shared language and the positive impact that AI could have on teacher workload.
Jeanette Breen provides her story of why and how she has used Comparative Judgement at her school and the impact it has had.
Resources mentioned:
www.nomoremarking.com/
No More Marking Blog Article: Does spelling matter?
You can connect with Daisy:
Twitter: @daisychristo
Website: https://daisychristodoulou.com/
You can connect with Jeanette:
Twitter: @jettybe3
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Lyn Stone. Author of Language for Life, Reading for Life and Spelling for Life, Lyn addresses a number of misconceptions about teaching literacy and provides loads of practical tips for teachers. In this chat, you will find out how Lyn’s passion for literacy developed, why we can’t teach the English language like we have a transparent orthography and how reading and writing are not simple, but you can view them simply
Resources mentioned:
Dolores G. Hiskes - Reading Pathways: Simple Exercises to Improve Reading Fluency
Ollie Lovell - Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory in Action
Ollie Lovell - Tools for Teachers
Tom Bennett - Running the Room
Lorraine Hammond
Pamela Snow and Tanya Serry - SOLAR Lab
www.etymonline.com/
You can connect with Lyn:
Twitter @lifelonglit
Website: lifelongliteracy.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
In this episode, Brendan Lee talks to Deputy Principal, Stephanie Le Lievre. She explains:
-
how the Reading Science in Schools FB group - that now has over 50,000 members, came about
-
why we need to "cut the fluff"
-
what a structured literacy block can look like for the pre-primary stage
-
what an evidence-informed approach looks like in the primary classroom
-
how she is using ChatGPT for fluency building!
Some of the experts and resources mentioned:
Professor Pamela Snow
Professor Lorraine Hammond
William Van Cleave
Lyn Stone
Dr. Nathaniel Swain
The Writing Revolution
https://www.readworks.org/
https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/foundations/toolbox/
https://www.phormes.com/
https://readingscienceinschools.squarespace.com/
https://thesyntaxproject2022.squarespace.com/
You can connect with Steph:
Twitter @StephLeLievre_
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Welcome to the Knowledge for Teachers podcast!
I decided to start up this podcast because rather selfishly there are a lot of areas I would like to have more knowledge in and people that I would really like to hear from, so I thought why not start up a podcast so that I can share these conversations with other educators. I’m also really interested in finding out what those active ingredients are in actually getting evidence informed practice happening in our classrooms.
Very early on I knew that today’s guest, Dr. Russ Fox a former teacher and current lecturer in applied behaviour analysis at Monash University, was someone that I wanted to get on. I have had many deep and meaningful conversations with him previously about all things to do with education and he is truly across what effective teaching can be and how we can support teachers in implementing it.
In this chat, Russ talks about:
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why we need to address the learning environment
-
the need for teachers to use a safe sense of humour
-
Error correct using the 3 step process (you'll have to listen to find out what that is)
-
supporting students in building habits by using gradual release of responsibility
-
why we need to meet the needs of the community
Some of the resources mentioned were:
Tom Bennett's book - Running the Room
Fox, R. A., Leif, E. S., Moore, D. W., Furlonger, B., Anderson, A., & Sharma, U. (2022). A systematic review of the facilitators and barriers to the sustained implementation of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports. Education and Treatment of Children, 45(1), 105-126.
You can connect with Russ:
Twitter @RsslFx
Email russell.fox@monash.edu
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net