Anna Stokke and Zach Groshell Explicit Instruction

S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk & Talk podcast. Anna has become one of the most influential voices calling for a return to clarity, structure, and evidence in math instruction. We explore how her conversations on chalk & talk have shaped—and sometimes challenged—her own … Continue reading S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It

S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction

In this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—science teacher, cognitive science enthusiast, and blogger of Scientists in the Making. Marcie shares the origin story behind her innovative classroom blog and explains how it grew out of a desire to make science learning more equitable, evidence-based, and joyful. We dive into some of the most persistent … Continue reading S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction

S5E03: John Mighton on Building Math Confidence, One Problem at a Time

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. John Mighton — mathematician, playwright, best-selling author, and founder of JUMP Math. John shares his insights into one of the most misunderstood concepts in education today—the belief that only some students are “math people”—and explains why dismantling this idea is essential for equity and achievement. As we explore … Continue reading S5E03: John Mighton on Building Math Confidence, One Problem at a Time

Direct Instruction Motivation, Part 3: Success, Not Struggle

Direct Instruction Motivation, Part 3: Success, Not Struggle

This series explores a rarely discussed strength of direct instruction: its power to motivate students. While critics often paint explicit teaching as boring or uninspiring, the truth is that its structure, pace, and design motivate kids better than any other system. There is a certain romance in education about the idea of “Productive Struggle.” The notion goes … Continue reading Direct Instruction Motivation, Part 3: Success, Not Struggle

S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Instruction, and Literacy

S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by two of the most influential voices in literacy education today—Linda Diamond and Paige Pullen. With decades of experience in education, Linda and Paige bring clarity to the evidence-based education movement and the science of reading in particular. Together, we dive into their framework of three interrelated sciences—Learning Science, … Continue reading S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction

The Truth About Lesson Planning 

The first truth about lesson planning is a paradox: In a perfect world, it wouldn’t even exist. Designing curriculum and instruction is its own science, and a difficult one at that. When well-designed programs (e.g., Direct Instruction) are in place, the heavy lifting of content analysis, sequencing and integrating of concepts, and field-testing of lessons … Continue reading The Truth About Lesson Planning 

Special Guest, Greg Ashman, Educator, Author, Blogger on Filling the Pail

S5E01: Greg Ashman on Explicit Teaching and Inquiry Learning

Welcome to Season 5 of Progressively Incorrect! In this special premiere episode, I’m joined by Greg Ashman, a leading advocate for explicit instruction and one of the most important voices in education today. We begin by analyzing a new video from Jo Boaler, where she casts “step-by-step instruction” as the villain in favor of an … Continue reading S5E01: Greg Ashman on Explicit Teaching and Inquiry Learning

Harnessing the Science of Learning

If you haven’t heard of the book Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement … where you been? I was honored to contribute two chapters to Nathaniel Swain’s latest book—a resource that bridges the gap between cognitive science and real-world classroom practice. My chapters focused on cognitive load theory … Continue reading Harnessing the Science of Learning

S4E39: Shawn Datchuk on Teaching Sentence Construction with Precision

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Dr. Shawn Datchuk, a leading researcher who’s helped shape how we think about sentence construction for struggling learners. Drawing from the literature on Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction, Shawn shares how timed practice and explicit strategies can accelerate mastery in writing, especially for students with learning … Continue reading S4E39: Shawn Datchuk on Teaching Sentence Construction with Precision

Direct Instruction Motivation Part 2: Productive Praise by Zach Groshell

Direct Instruction Motivation Part 2: Productive Praise

This series explores a rarely discussed strength of direct instruction: its power to motivate students. While critics often paint explicit teaching as boring or uninspiring, the truth is that its structure, pace, and design motivate kids better than any other system. If momentum is the first ingredient of motivation, the second is acknowledgment. Direct Instruction … Continue reading Direct Instruction Motivation Part 2: Productive Praise