When something matters, we make time for it

I'm often told that schools don't have time to focus on teaching and learning. The reality is they don’t make time. Instructional coaching doesn’t demand a ton of time—it takes just 20-30 minutes to deliver a sharp and purposeful feedback session around a single, granular action step. Done right, it not only improves instruction but … Continue reading When something matters, we make time for it

S4E33: Peps Mccrea on Great Teaching and Human Flourishing

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I am delighted to host Peps Mccrea, the Director of Education at Steplab and the mind behind the must-read online newsletter, Evidence Snacks. Peps has dedicated his career to improving education through evidence-based practices. His latest project includes Great Teaching, Unpacked, a Netflix-style documentary that is pushing the boundaries … Continue reading S4E33: Peps Mccrea on Great Teaching and Human Flourishing

Harnessing Attention and Explaining Better

Blake Harvard, a teacher and author of the best-selling book, Do I have your attention?, and I share an obsession with improving teaching through evidence-based practices. A major focus of both of our work is the translation of principles of learning science into practical strategies that can be used in tomorrow's lesson. You can hear … Continue reading Harnessing Attention and Explaining Better

Rachel Ball on Scaffolded Instruction and Adaptive Teaching

S4E32: Rachel Ball on Scaffolded Instruction and Adaptive Teaching

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I am delighted to host Rachel Ball, Coaching Development Lead at Steplab and a passionate advocate for effective teaching based on the science of learning. Rachel will explore her new book, The Scaffolding Effect, and the Explicit Instruction Conference we are both keynoting in New Mexico (sign up here!). … Continue reading S4E32: Rachel Ball on Scaffolded Instruction and Adaptive Teaching

A Refreshing Case for Explicit Instruction

I was happy to see a fantastic and thorough review of my book, Just Tell Them, in the Learning & the Brain blog. This comes after I just presented at Learning & the Brain alongside folks like Doug Lemov, Haili Hughes and Dan Willingham (click those links for podcasts of mine that they each featured … Continue reading A Refreshing Case for Explicit Instruction

Teacher PD Without Ice Breakers

I was recently invited onto Chris Baker's podcast/YouTube hybrid series, Leadership Launchpad, to discuss some of the things I have learned over the last few years about consulting and PD. It is, surprisingly, a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times! https://youtu.be/4bGfBc6iY98?si=AXk9cmlM1esrxth0 I am quite proud of the result, and I think you'll appreciate some … Continue reading Teacher PD Without Ice Breakers

S4E31: Laura Stam on Integrating Explicit Teaching Practices into Elementary Classrooms

S4E31: Laura Stam on Integrating Explicit Teaching Practices into Elementary Classrooms

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m delighted to host Laura Stam, a dedicated advocate for the Science of Reading and Direct Instruction. Laura will share her expertise on designing and curating resources to integrate content and vocabulary into literacy, discuss new shifts in her thinking and teaching, and offer insights into how structured teaching … Continue reading S4E31: Laura Stam on Integrating Explicit Teaching Practices into Elementary Classrooms

Zach Groshell explores why direct, well-scaffolded teaching is essential—especially for students with learning disabilities like dyscalculia.

Explicit instruction is essential – especially for students with learning disabilities like dyscalculia

In the latest episode of the Unlocking Dyscalculia podcast, Adrianne Meldrum sits down with Dr. Zach Groshell, author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching, to explore why direct, well-scaffolded teaching is essential—especially for students with learning disabilities like dyscalculia. Article continued here. https://youtu.be/ExvfomGD93o

Building Thinking Classrooms is Repackaged Discovery Learning

In education, nothing is truly new. Consider project-based learning, which made its debut in the 18th century under the guise of "The Project Method." Inquiry-based learning has similarly worn many hats over the years, from discovery learning to exploratory learning to experiential learning. As the veteran teachers have long said, everything old becomes new again. … Continue reading Building Thinking Classrooms is Repackaged Discovery Learning

Ronak Bhatt on Acceleration and Homogeneous Grouping with Zach Groshell

S4E30: Ronak Bhatt on Accelerated Learning and Homogeneous Grouping

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m honored to host Ronak Bhatt, the accomplished founder and school leader of TELRA Institute. Ronak will discuss how acceleration can open doors for learners, share his thoughts on the benefits and challenges of homogeneous grouping, and provide insights into experimental educational models that offer bold alternatives to traditional … Continue reading S4E30: Ronak Bhatt on Accelerated Learning and Homogeneous Grouping