Knowledge for Teachers

22 - Emma Turner on Primary Curriculum Design and Cognitive Science

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

21 - Dr. Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee coaching workshop (live): Supporting teachers in implementing the science of learning

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

20 - Dr. Nathaniel Swain answers the FAQ about implementing the science of learning

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. 
Become a patreon for the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast!
patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
Resources mentioned:https://thinkforwardeducators.org/Shane PearsonPhormes.comCore KnowledgeRead to LearnAnita ArcherYbarra and Hollingsworth’s Explicit Direct InstructionRosenshine’s Principles of InstructionWexler and Hochman’s The Writing RevolutionWilliam Van CleaveED HirschSweller’s Cognitive Load TheoryGreg Ashman’s Filling the Pail blog
You can connect with Nathaniel:Twitter: @NathanielRSwainWebsite: https://www.nathanielswain.com/ You can connect with Brendan:Twitter: @learnwithmrleeFacebook: @learningwithmrleeWebsite: learnwithlee.net

19 - David Morkunas On Explicit Instruction In Primary Maths

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

18 - Kevin and Robyn Wheldall on Effective Instruction in Reading

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

17 - Christopher Such on the Art and Science of Teaching Reading Fluency

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

16 - St Bernard’s P.S. Transformational Change Through Catalyst (Catalyst Part 3)

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

15 - Patrick Ellis on considerations for change (Catalyst Part 2)

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

14 - Ross Fox on how Catalyst is transforming lives through learning

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

13 - Jordan O’Sullivan on Shaping Minds and Practices

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