Digging for the Why

MEI

A podcast for maths teachers of Years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons. Join Andy (former secondary teacher) and Alison (former primary teacher) for a podcast series discussing issues around continuity, the transition from primary to secondary, and many of the problems around teaching and learning maths. read less

Episode 7 - Rich tasks and problem-based learning with Richard Perring
Jul 8 2022
Episode 7 - Rich tasks and problem-based learning with Richard Perring
Hello and welcome to Digging for the why - the podcast for maths teachers of years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons.In this episode, Alison and Andy are joined by a special guest, Richard Perring. Together they discuss the following:Keeping your LinkedIn up-to-date!Why should we encourage the use of rich tasks? What do students and teachers gain?The power of asking whyRich tasks don't need to last a lesson, just have a thinking questionListening to student conversations to guide the teachingIs there still a space for coursework?Does there need to be a right answer?As a teacher, be open to learning Where can you go to read about rich tasks and get some starting points?The power of a collaborative planning modelLinks to things mentioned in this episode:Ann Watson & John Mason - Mathematical thinkingColin Foster and Tom Francome - Plenary or just ponder?Transum - Starter of the dayTransforming primary mathematics - Mike AskewThinkers - ATMAlgebradabraMathematical challenges for able pupilsIf you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-)You can find us on twitter:Andy - @desire2undrstndAlison - @AlisonHopperMEIRichard - @learning mathsOur intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-) You can find us on twitter/alternatives:Andy - Twitter/Bluesky Alison - Twitter Our intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.
Episode 6 - Motivating and challenging students with Tom Rainbow
Jul 1 2022
Episode 6 - Motivating and challenging students with Tom Rainbow
Hello and welcome to Digging for the why - the podcast for maths teachers of years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons.In this episode, Alison and Andy are joined by a special guest, Tom Rainbow. Together they discuss the following:Tom's thoughts on challenging and motivating studentsAndy's son passes the Men In Black interview processDo we help students awareness of what they know and don't know?Teachers should model thinking in classWhose responsibility is it to embed problem-solving time in lessons?Does a schools' vision for maths impact on what happens in the classroom?How do I plan a lesson as a new teacher that can challenge and motivate students and it doesn't wear me out by half term?Using 'I wonder' and 'I notice' statements to engage and motivateTeachers owning the lesson but still letting the students have space to explore and discoverLinks to things mentioned in this episode:Ken Robinson's TED talk - Do schools kill creativity?If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-)You can find us on twitter:Andy - @desire2undrstndAlison - @AlisonHopperMEITom - @CoreMathsTomOur intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-) You can find us on twitter/alternatives:Andy - Twitter/Bluesky Alison - Twitter Our intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.
Episode 5 - Why can students appear switched off from maths already in Year 7?
Jun 24 2022
Episode 5 - Why can students appear switched off from maths already in Year 7?
Hello and welcome to Digging for the why - the podcast for maths teachers of years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons.In this episode, Alison and Andy discuss the following:Andy apologises for a lack of knowledge of adjectivesDo we take into account the difference in how children conceptualise maths to teachers?Clarity in the classroom - is there a difference between what the teacher thinks the lesson was vs what the student thinks the lesson wasMove from planning what we want students to have 'done' in the lesson to how we want the students to have 'thought' in the lessonGive value to the students' years in maths to dateDo we empathise enough about the transition into Y7 for our students?A consistent school culture can lead to consistency in classrooms and have a positive impact on teaching and learningDo secondary school teachers give enough credit to what students have learnt in primary schools? Spoiler alert: NO!Links to things mentioned in this episode:The Balacheff article If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-)You can find us on twitter:Andy - @desire2undrstndAlison - @AlisonHopperMEIOur intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-) You can find us on twitter/alternatives:Andy - Twitter/Bluesky Alison - Twitter Our intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.
Episode 3 - Managing the transition from KS2 to KS3 with Vicky Osborne
Jun 10 2022
Episode 3 - Managing the transition from KS2 to KS3 with Vicky Osborne
Hello and welcome to Digging for the why - the podcast for maths teachers of years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons.In this episode, Alison and Andy are joined by a special guest, Vicky Osborn. Again this episode was recorded in two parts: Part One: Andy and AlisonThe differences between KS2 and KS3 for stakeholdersKS3: The Wasted Years? Ofsted report 2015What is being done to address issues from this report? Valuing the mathematical journey of our students at every stagePart Two: Andy, Alison and VickyAndy has a rantVicky's experience of the transition yearsParents as stakeholders in the transitionIs pedagogy the same at KS2 and KS3? What is should be vs what it could be.How does joint planning help plan a scheme of work in KS3?What happens after SATs in Y6?Why do Year 7s put their hand up and ask what to do when they finish their page?Links to things mentioned in this episode:NCETM Find your local maths hubOfsted report If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-)You can find us on twitter:Andy - @desire2undrstndAlison - @AlisonHopperMEIVicky - @CheerVixOur intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-) You can find us on twitter/alternatives:Andy - Twitter/Bluesky Alison - Twitter Our intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.