I still remember my first year of teaching like it was yesterday. I walked into that classroom in Term 1 filled with enthusiasm and a vision of all the incredible things I was going to teach. I imagined deep discussions about character development in novels, science experiments that sparked awe, maths investigations that built real problem-solving skills, innovative use of the latest tech tools (remember the Ultranet) and inquiry projects that kids would love while wowing parents.

But then the reality hit.

By the end of the year, I looked back at all those grand plans (and my bold belief that I was going to singlehandedly transform education with a Smartboard and the Ultranet) and realised how little I had actually covered. Whole topics were left untouched. My reading groups were more “aspirational” than operational. Lessons often felt rushed, interrupted, or suspiciously like improv. And most frustrating of all? I couldn’t for the life of me figure out where all the time had gone (though I suspected some of it was waiting for the Ultranet to load).

Since then, I’ve learned that instructional time is precious. It’s like money with a hard limit: no loans, no extensions. Every minute we have in the classroom must be spent wisely.

Investing Time
​Think of it like this: if you were handed a strict financial budget to run a major project, with no overdraft, no credit, and no option to apply for more, you’d pore over every expense. What adds value? What’s a waste? What could be cut without compromising the goal?

Classroom time is exactly the same. Every minute we spend lining up, explaining unclear instructions, or resolving preventable behaviour issues is time stolen from learning.
For example:

• A 6-minute transition between lessons every day = 30 minutes a week.
• 5 minutes waiting for students to find their pencils and books every lesson = almost 21 hours a term.
• Unclear expectations during group work = 10 minutes of off-task chatter.
  

These moments might seem small, but instructional time is precious, and every second counts.

Losing Time
In economics, "opportunity cost" is what you lose when you choose one option over another. In teaching, opportunity cost sounds like this:

• 10 minutes lost to messy transitions = 10 minutes not spent writing a paragraph or reading a text.
• Reteaching a maths concept due to unclear instructions = time not spent pushing students to deeper problem-solving.
• Cut & paste activities (where the pieces go missing)  = missed time for building foundational literacy.

We don’t just lose time: we lose learning.

Spending Time
1. Streamline the Essentials

• Set up rock-solid routines for lining up, passing out materials, entering and exiting the room.
• Don’t just teach routines: rehearse them until they’re automatic.

For example, I once spent five minutes a day getting my class ready for writing. Once we rehearsed our “writing warm-up routine,” we cut that time to under one minute and started strong every day.

2. Teach with Precision

• Introduce new concepts with explicit teaching.
• Use models and worked examples to reduce confusion.

For example, instead of losing time re-teaching mid-lesson, I now use mini whiteboards during maths to check for understanding after each step. A quick scan of students’ responses helps me catch errors early, clarify on the spot, and keep the whole class moving forward with confidence.

3. Audit Time Use Regularly

• Track how much time students are actually engaging in learning tasks.
• Check how long transitions are taking.​

I thought my daily reviews were taking 15 minutes. It wasn't until I started timing them that I realised they'd ballooned to 25 minutes!

Wasting Time
Five minutes here and there may not feel like much but over a year, it adds up to more than 16 hours. That’s three full weeks of numeracy instruction in a typical primary school. Just imagine what you could teach in that time.

That’s three weeks of fluency practice.
Three weeks of mastering new concepts.
Three weeks of problem solving.
Three weeks of learning you don’t get back.

Instructional time is precious and every moment counts.

Managing Time
Great teaching isn’t just about content; it’s about time management. The most effective teachers protect their instructional minutes like precious dollars, constantly asking themselves:
“Is this the best use of our limited time?”
In today’s classroom, with ever-growing expectations and packed curricula, how we spend our time may be the most important decision we make.
So next time you sit down to plan a lesson, don’t just ask, “What am I going to teach?”
Ask: “Is this the best investment I can make with the time I’ve been given?”

Instructional time is precious, and how we use it will shape the learning experience we provide. Let’s be intentional, focused, and make every minute count.

In classrooms where evidence-based programs are used, scripted lessons can be powerful tools. They help ensure fidelity to research-backed sequences, reduce teacher workload, and support consistency across classrooms. But as powerful as these scripts can be, their true strength lies not in rigidly following every word, but in knowing when and why to adapt them thoughtfully to meet the unique needs of our students.

I’m passionate about bringing the science of learning to the art of teaching. Scripts can help provide the science through proven methods and carefully crafted language. However, the art comes from the teacher; through their deep knowledge of their students and the context they bring to the classroom every day.
The golden question guiding every decision to stay on script or deviate must always be: Will this improve learning for my students?

This isn’t about disregarding the program, but about putting students at the heart of everything we do. Sometimes that means adding extra support, sometimes it means increasing the challenge, and sometimes it means holding fast to the plan because it’s exactly what students need. Through careful observation, preparation, and collaboration, teachers can use scripts not as constraints, but as important tools, guiding students step by step toward deeper understanding and greater success.

Do we need to add support?
There are times when the needs of our students call for deviation from the script, especially when it comes to scaffolding. I once taught a class of EAL/D students using the Reading Mastery program. The script assumed students had an understanding of basic English prepositions like next to, in front of, and behind. But these concepts didn’t translate directly into Murrinh Patha, the students’ first language, where a single term was used for all spatial relationships. To bridge this gap, I added extra lessons to explicitly teach prepositions. The script didn’t fail; my students just needed more support.

Do we need to increase challenge?
Sometimes, the script includes scaffolds that are no longer necessary. If student responses show deep understanding, we might choose to remove or compress supports to maintain cognitive stretch.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve found that by explicitly teaching phonemic awareness and linking those skills to graphemes, our students are confidently reading CCVC and CVCC words before these patterns are formally introduced in our phonics program. As a result, we’re able to move more quickly through these sections without compromising understanding.
Our decisions should be driven by careful observation: Are students breezing through this part? Are they ready to move faster or go deeper?

Teacher knowledge is crucial
Whether you stay faithful to the script or make a change, your own content knowledge is critical. You need to know:

• Which parts of the lesson are designed to prevent common misconceptions
• What the likely stumbling blocks are for your students
• How the lesson connects to previous and future learning

A metaphor I often use is this: following a script is like following directions to the post office. If you don’t really know the way and take a shortcut too early, you could end up down a dead end. Similarly, skipping a part of the script without understanding why it’s there can derail a lesson. I’ve had teachers tell me a lesson didn’t work, only to discover they unknowingly skipped the section that clarified a key concept. Actually, I've been guilty of that mistake too...

Intellectual preparation is key
Deviating from a script is not an excuse for improvising on the fly. Any change must be grounded in a deep understanding of the lesson:

• How does this lesson fit within the unit?
• What knowledge or skills is it building?
• How do the parts within the lesson connect and build on one another?

Preparation allows us to teach with intention, whether we’re staying within the lines or thoughtfully stepping outside them.

The power in economy of language
Teachers love to talk. But too much teacher talk (especially tangents and stories) can pull students away from the core learning. Scripted programs are often designed with economy of language in mind. Every sentence serves a purpose. We need to be conscious of when our words are helping students learn and when they’re becoming a distraction.

In a maths lesson focused on skip counting by tens, the script might say: “Count by tens starting from 40. Ready? Go.” However, excessive teacher talk can unintentionally disrupt the flow. The teacher might easily turn this prompt into, “Let’s count by tens now. Remember how we’ve done this before? You know, like counting money: ten cents, twenty cents, and so on. I used to save all my ten-cent coins when I was a kid. I had a big jar…” While the story might be engaging, it derails the lesson’s momentum and shifts focus away from the key skill being practised. In contrast, the original script keeps students engaged in the task, maintains pace, and ensures the learning stays on track.

Teaching is a team sport
When it comes to adapting instruction, especially when stepping outside a scripted program, it’s important to remember that teaching is a team effort. If you decide to make a change for a good reason, it’s worth asking yourself: Have I shared this with my team? We’re all in this together, and when changes happen in isolation, we miss out on valuable opportunities to learn from one another and grow as a community of educators. And you might just be missing out on your colleague's wisdom when they say, "I tried it that way last year and it did NOT work..."
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Having a shared understanding and consistency across classrooms isn’t just about staying on the same page; it’s about making sure every student has an equitable learning experience. If one teacher adapts something because their students are ready, while another sticks strictly to the script, it can lead to very different opportunities for students in different rooms. When we communicate openly, we build trust and ensure that these decisions support all learners.
By sharing your reasons for adapting, and hearing how others respond, we create a culture where thoughtful change becomes part of our collective wisdom; not just a solo experiment. Together, we can be more responsive, more flexible, and ultimately more effective in meeting the needs of every student. Change feels less daunting when it’s something we do side by side.

Fidelity matters, but students matter more
If we don’t teach with fidelity, we can’t honestly evaluate whether a program is effective. But the ultimate guide for whether we can deviate is the students themselves. Their responses show us where they’re struggling, where they’re confident, and where they need us to make adjustments.

Using scripted programs well means knowing when to follow them closely and when to deviate with purpose. It’s not about teaching the program, it’s about teaching our students. The program is the plan, and our students are the reason. Our students are constantly giving us feedback. Let’s make sure we’re listening.

Imagine this: a Tour de France cyclist flying down a narrow, winding mountain road. The pace is intense, the focus razor-sharp, and every movement is deliberate. There’s no time to pause and admire the view. Every turn is calculated, every second matters.

That’s the energy of a well-run daily review in the classroom.

Fast. Focused. Fluid.
Like a cyclist descending a mountain, the daily review isn’t where the learning begins; it’s where we test the brakes, lean into the turns, and reinforce the training that’s already happened. The content should come quickly and confidently. If we’re dragging through it, we’ve lost the point.

Each question is a twist in the road:

• "What's 7 x 6?"
• "Partition 3425."
• "What's half of 36?"
  
• "True or false: 5.2 is greater than 5.09?"
• "Round 268 to the nearest hundred."

There’s no time for long explanations or in-depth instruction. The review is about retrieval, repetition, and responsiveness. Just like the rider trusts their training, we trust that students have already learned these concepts; and now they’re being kept fresh, fast and accessible.

Reading the Road
But just like in cycling, this pace only works if we’re alert to what’s happening around us. A rider reads the road and adjusts; so must we. If a student stumbles, we make a mental note. If multiple kids miss the same question, that’s a sign that we may need to revisit that curve later in the lesson. If the whole class doesn't respond, perhaps we didn't give them the thinking time they needed.

The magic of the daily review is in its diagnostic power; you see what’s stuck and what’s slipping in real time.

Avoiding the Uphill Grind
Without daily review, students often find themselves on a slow, painful uphill climb: struggling to recall, battling to connect past learning to new concepts. The descent is exhilarating because it’s powered by what came before.

When we run a daily review with pace and precision, we’re giving our students that same momentum. We’re saying: You’ve done this before. Let’s go again: swifter, sharper, stronger.

Final Thoughts
A good daily review isn’t rushed; it’s purposeful. It doesn’t dawdle, but it doesn’t drop students, either. Like the best riders, we want our students to be confident, agile, and always looking ahead.

So next time you’re leading your class through a daily review, think of the Tour de France. You’re not just reviewing content: you’re racing down that mountain, making every second count.

Teachers make daily decisions about what students can handle: what texts to read, what tasks to attempt, what behaviours are acceptable. But sometimes, these decisions aren’t maximising a child’s full potential. They’re based on assumptions about a child’s background, perceived ability, or past performance.
This is what the speechwriter Michael Gerson coined as “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” And it remains one of the most damaging and insidious forms of inequity in education.

What It Looks Like in Practice
The “soft bigotry” isn’t overt prejudice. It’s subtle. It sounds like:

• “He’s doing well… for him.”
• “It’s too hard for them; they won’t get it.”
• “These kids can’t sit and listen for more than a few minutes.”

These low expectations don’t protect students: they limit them. When we water down the curriculum, avoid challenging tasks, or excuse underperformance, we rob students of the very experiences that help them grow. We send a damaging message: You’re not expected to succeed.
As Noel Pearson, Indigenous leader and education advocate, has warned:
“Low expectations are the scourge of disadvantaged schools. They are the disease that infects schools with endemic failure.”
But when we raise the bar and teach with belief, incredible things happen

Every Child, Every Chance: Changing the Narrative
Take the quiet child whose previous teacher rarely heard her speak. She seemed content to fade into the background; until warm calling invited her into the conversation with kindness and consistency. In the beginning, her answers seemed to surprise her as much as anyone. Soon, she was one of the first to put her hand up, keen to share her thinking. Her confidence hadn’t appeared overnight. It had been built, brick by brick, because someone believed her voice mattered. And so she started to believe that it mattered too.

Or the Prep student who couldn’t count to three when she arrived. Rather than hold her back or simplify the content, we gave her full access to the same high-quality maths instruction as her peers; with scaffolding and support where needed. Slowly, she caught up. By year’s end, she was one of our strongest mathematical thinkers. She didn’t need a watered-down curriculum; she needed a chance.
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And then there was the class who couldn’t sit on the mat for more than a few minutes: restless, distracted, and disconnected. It would’ve been easy to lower expectations, to teach in five-minute bursts or avoid whole-class instruction altogether. But we didn’t. We built their stamina. We made the lessons engaging, checked for understanding constantly, and taught behaviour as intentionally as we taught reading. Within weeks, they were locked in. By mid-year, they could sit together for 30 minutes of rich, focused instruction: fully present and thriving.

What High Expectations Really Mean
Having high expectations isn’t about demanding perfection or pushing kids too hard. It’s about:

• Believing every student is capable of growth
• Teaching rigorous and rich content with appropriate scaffolds
• Providing daily opportunities to think and respond
• Teaching routines and behaviours explicitly; not assuming students “just know”
• Celebrating effort and progress, not just polish and perfection

Zig Engelmann, creator of Direct Instruction, said it well:
“If the student hasn't learned, the teacher hasn't taught. And if the student can't learn, the teacher hasn't found the way to teach.”

Breaking the Cycle
To fight the soft bigotry of low expectations, we must first look inward. We must ask:

• What assumptions am I making about this student’s capacity?
• Am I giving them the same opportunities I’d expect for my own child?
• Have I taught this explicitly, or am I expecting them to infer it?
• Do I truly believe they can meet the standard with the right support?

Every child, regardless of postcode, language background, or prior achievement, deserves a teacher who believes in them. They deserve a rigorous curriculum, meaningful feedback, and a classroom culture that says:
You belong here. We believe in you. Let’s get to work.

No child should be held back by our assumptions.
Let’s be bold and ensure every child can thrive.

As educators, it’s heartening to see the growing interest in the science of learning—a body of research that explores how the brain learns best and how we can use that knowledge to teach more effectively. This can be seen in the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and other frameworks across the country. However, with this growing interest, a range of myths and misunderstandings are starting to emerge.
These myths can paint an inaccurate, even disheartening, picture of what informed, effective teaching looks like. At worst, they risk turning teachers away from approaches that actually support their professional judgment, creativity, and connection with students.
Let’s take a closer look at five common myths: and the truths that bust them wide open. I’ve also included real-world classroom examples to show how vibrant and powerful learning becomes when we embrace the science of learning.
 
Myth 1: “We can’t display students’ work in the classroom anymore.”
Truth: We absolutely can: we just need to be intentional about how we do it.
One of the most persistent myths is that a Science of Learning approach means blank walls and lifeless rooms. But this is a misinterpretation of cognitive load theory. The research doesn’t say “no displays”. It says to avoid unnecessary distractions. When students are learning something new, the last thing they need is clutter pulling their attention away from the teacher, whiteboard, and core learning visuals.
But displays can have a powerful place in the classroom, especially when they’re curated carefully and used purposefully.
A source of pride in my own classroom has been our “Grow Wall.” It’s a space where students choose work they’re proud of- writing, artwork, maths challenges they’ve conquered- and we display it proudly. We refresh the wall regularly, and it tells a story of growth and achievement. Crucially, it’s placed at the back of the room, away from the direct line of sight during instruction, but right where parents can see it during drop-off and where students line up during the day. The wall celebrates student voice and effort without competing with the cognitive focus of a lesson.
When we understand the research, we can embrace celebration and clarity.

Myth 2: “Differentiation is dead.”
Truth: We’re still differentiating; just more effectively, and more sustainably.
Differentiation has long been a pillar of great teaching, but it’s also often a vague concept that becomes both misunderstood and unsustainable. Misunderstanding differentiation often involves teachers creating multiple versions of the same lesson, or “watering down” tasks in the name of accessibility. That approach is exhausting, and it rarely delivers equity or excellence.
The science of learning encourages us to ensure all students can engage with the same core knowledge and skills through strong instruction, effective scaffolds, and meaningful opportunities to deepen learning. It’s about making sure every student can succeed with the core learning, while giving those ready for more the chance to stretch and go deeper. It’s not about watering things down, but lifting everyone up.
I had the pleasure of recently seeing a teacher run a brilliant lesson on story structure. Every student was given a series of images and asked to sort them into narrative components—character, setting, problem, solution, and ending. This task gave every student access to the big idea. Then came the differentiation:

• Some students wrote simple labels or captions.
• Others wrote full sentences describing each element.
• The most confident were challenged to use rich vocabulary and connect ideas across the story.

Same task, shared purpose, multiple entry points. It’s a beautiful example of how differentiation can work when it’s grounded in shared learning goals, not separate activities. What made it so powerful was that the teacher never placed limits on any child; instead, she celebrated their success at each point and guided them toward the next challenge.

Myth 3: “There’s no space for creativity or critical thinking.”
Truth: Knowledge builds the foundation for both.
Another common misconception is that explicit instruction and knowledge-rich learning “kill creativity.” But the opposite is true: you can’t think deeply about something you don’t understand, and you can’t create with concepts you haven’t yet grasped.
When students have strong foundational knowledge, they ask better questions, make richer connections, and generate more original ideas. Their creativity isn’t diminished: it’s informed.
In my classroom, as we explored the world of Greek mythology, students began making comparisons that sparked rich, critical discussion. One student wondered if Ariel from The Little Mermaid might be related to Poseidon. Another asked whether Jesus and Zeus were similar. Someone else questioned what really causes lightning; was it Zeus, as the myths suggested, or something more scientific?
These conversations didn’t happen in a vacuum. They were the result of structured knowledge-building. The content gave them the tools to play, question, and imagine; and that’s true creativity.

Myth 4: “Students are becoming robots.”
Truth: Calm, focused classrooms amplify student voices.
There’s a worry that orderly classrooms stifle children’s personalities. The claim persists that if students are listening, following routines, and focused on their work, they must be “robotic.” We need to challenge that.
Calm classrooms aren’t quiet because of compliance. They’re calm because students know what to do. There’s security in routine, clarity in expectations, and freedom in structure. In that space, more students get to participate, especially those who might otherwise be overshadowed.
One of the greatest highlights of my career has been supporting a student who was selectively mute. Over time, with consistent routines, gentle encouragement, and clear expectations, she found her voice. A classroom that some might call “strict” was, in her case, a sanctuary; one that helped her feel seen, safe, and successful.
Children aren’t robots. They’re inherently joyful, curious, and capable. A well-structured classroom doesn’t suppress that; it makes space for it to flourish.
 
Myth 5: “It robs teachers of their artistry.”
Truth: The science of learning empowers great teaching; it doesn’t strip away our professional flair.
This is perhaps the myth that stings the most because it strikes at the heart of our profession. Teachers are artists. We build relationships, adapt to the moment, and respond with creativity and heart. So when we hear “science of learning,” some worry that it means robotic delivery that erases our individuality.
But here’s the truth: I’ve never visited two great classrooms that were identical. Even when a lesson is scripted, each teacher brings their own tone, personality, and strengths.
I worked with a teacher last year who brought music into every part of her practice. She had a song for nearly everything: transitions, spelling rules, even maths strategies! That was her superpower. While I’ve got a few songs up my sleeve, it’s not my strong suit, and that’s okay. I am still able to let my teaching shine in other ways.
The science of learning gives us the foundation to stand on, but it doesn’t define how we dance. It helps more students learn more effectively, more often. And when teachers feel confident in what works, it frees them to do what they do best: teach with joy, flair, and purpose.

On Wednesday night I found myself in the local emergency department. My son had jumped off a slide and the call I received from his after school care made it clear that it wasn’t one of those “walk it off” injuries. He was in real pain, and he needed medical care straight away.
At the hospital, the triage nurse greeted us warmly, reassured my son, and got straight to work. She asked a series of questions that were clearly part of a structured script. It was calm, efficient, and comforting. That script didn’t make her robotic; it made her effective. She still smiled, cracked a joke or two, and treated us like people, not a checklist.
This experience reminded me just how valuable good systems can be: especially when things are complex, high-stakes, and time-pressured. It’s the same with teaching.
Lately, there’s been some debate about so-called “teacher-proof” maths lessons. A recent blog post claimed that these lessons won’t work, and that teachers should be creating everything from scratch so they can better respond to students’ needs. But that’s a false dichotomy.
Let’s be clear: using a script or pre-designed lesson doesn’t mean teaching without thought or care. It means having a well-researched, carefully constructed recipe to follow: one that saves us from having to reinvent the wheel every day. And like any good recipe, we adjust the ingredients. You don’t force-feed egg to someone with an allergy. Similarly, you don’t deliver a lesson exactly as written when it’s not quite right for the learners in front of you.
Many of these lessons have been created by highly experienced teachers; colleagues who have spent hours refining them so others don’t have to start from scratch. In fact, I’ve helped put some of them together myself. Are they perfect? Of course not. But they are strong, structured, and well-sequenced. I had the time to really fine-tune these lessons, bringing them to a higher standard than I normally could. Carefully pre-designed lessons give teachers a solid base to build from, not a cage to be trapped in.
The criticism that scripted lessons remove professional judgement misunderstands how most of us actually use these resources. No one’s handing over their classroom autonomy. We’re using these tools to free up time and cognitive space so we can focus on the things that matter most: our students’ learning, questions, and needs.
Take daily reviews, for example. The suggestion that every teacher should be crafting their own daily review slides, every single day, sounds great in theory, but it doesn’t align with the real demands of the classroom. It takes hours. And that time has to come from somewhere; usually planning, marking, sleep, or time with family.
We need high-quality teaching resources not because we’re lazy or disengaged, but because we’re smart and committed. When we can rely on good materials, we have more capacity to focus on formative assessment, to provide feedback, to build relationships, and to actually teach.
Teaching is too important to be left to chance. A good script won’t make you a great teacher; but it’ll help you become one faster, with fewer barriers in your way. Just like that triage nurse, we can follow the plan and connect with the humans in front of us.
Let’s stop pretending it has to be one or the other.

Recent findings from the Grattan Institute’s The Maths Guarantee report have once again brought attention to a challenge many of us see every day: too many students are slipping through the cracks in maths. The good news? The report doesn’t just highlight the problem: it offers a clear, research-backed way forward through structured teaching, targeted support, and professional growth.
As teachers and leaders, we care deeply; but we’re also busy. That’s why I’ve curated a practical set of resources aligned to the report’s key recommendations. Think of it as a toolkit to help move from ideas to action, so we can make a real difference, without reinventing the wheel.

Books to build understanding

• How I Wish I’d Taught Maths – Craig Barton: A reflective exploration of teaching practices grounded in cognitive science and real classroom experience.
• Direct Instruction Mathematics – Stein et al: A comprehensive guide to implementing DI effectively for mathematics mastery.
• Effective Mathematics Teaching – Morkunas, Hatten-Roberts & Swain: Chapter 8 in Harnessing the Science of Learning offers a rich overview of practices that align with the science of learning and effective maths pedagogy.

 Reports that outline the science of maths instruction

• The Science of Mathematics and How to Apply It: Explains how explicit instruction helps students build robust mathematical understanding.
• Maths Practices You Can Count On: Describes five classroom practices backed by research to improve learning.
• Myths That Undermine Maths Teaching: Debunks popular but ineffective teaching myths in mathematics.
• Equity and Excellence? What Australia can learn from high-performance countries in mathematics education: Liana McCurry's 2022 Churchill Fellowship exploring what other countries get right in maths education.  
• Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1: Practical guidance for strengthening early numeracy through structured, evidence-based practices.
• Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 & 3: More guidance from the EEF, this time focusing on 7-14 year olds.
• Teaching with the Big Ideas in Mathematics – Di Siemon: Shows how focusing on core concepts guides curriculum design and instruction.

Podcasts to hear from leading thinkers

• Chalk and Talk – Episodes 29 & 30 with Brian Poncy: Explores how to develop automaticity in number facts through structured practice.
• Education Research Reading Room: Episode #099 with David Morkunas covers how to plan and deliver effective maths lessons; Episode #051 with Michael Pershan focuses on worked examples and cognitive load.
• Mr Barton Maths: Episode #020 with Greg Ashman discusses the benefits of explicit instruction in mathematics.
• Knowledge for Teachers: S02E19 highlights ways to build number sense; S02E05 dives into strategies for word problem solving.

Screener for early identification

• Acadience Math: A validated assessment tool for identifying at-risk students and tracking progress in core math skills.

Websites & Tools for Targeted Support

• MIND: Offers intervention tools grounded in the instructional hierarchy to support skill fluency.
• Learning Trajectories: Helps educators match instruction to developmental progressions in mathematical thinking.
• 1 Minute Maths: Engaging app to reinforce number facts in short, focused bursts.
• Times Tables Rock Stars: Motivates students to master multiplication facts through gamified practice.

Recorded webinars

• Think Forward Educators Maths Network: Professional network offering regular events and webinars on maths instruction.
• Science of Maths and the Importance of Fluency – Toni Hatten-Roberts: unpacks why fluency in mathematics matters and how schools can build it through structured teaching and purposeful practice.
• Structuring an Explicit Maths Lesson – Samantha Charlton: Breaks down how to design a lesson with clear explanations, examples, and practice.

• Laying Mathematical Foundations – James Dobson (it's me!): Explains how structured routines and concept development foster strong numeracy skills.
• Using the Instructional Hierarchy – Brian Poncy: Illustrates how to scaffold support based on student learning stages.
• Spaced Interleaved and Retrieval Practice – Dave Morkunas: Discusses how memory and spacing strategies improve retention and transfer in maths.

Blogs for practical reflection and inspiration

• Dr Ange's Blog: Covers curriculum leadership and effective teaching strategies from a numeracy coaching perspective.
• Brad Nguyen – What Makes a Great Maths Curriculum: Discusses the elements that make maths programs both effective and sustainable.

Conferences

• Sharing Best Practice: Showcases research-aligned practices from expert teachers. Tickets for Melbourne North on 3rd May 2025 are on sale!
• What Works Series: A PL event spotlighting effective instruction and school-led innovation in maths. They've been held in Geelong & Melbourne- stay tuned for where the next one is...

The Grattan report isn’t just another document to add to the pile. It’s a practical blueprint backed by decades of research. But its real power lies in what we do next. Let’s use the tools at our fingertips to ensure every student builds the strong mathematical foundation they deserve.

There’s a pattern we see far too often.
A new report is released. Headlines follow:

• “Australian students are falling behind in maths,"
• “Literacy levels are in crisis,”
• “Schools are underperforming."

And suddenly, it feels like every finger is pointed straight at the classroom.
If you’ve ever felt that sting, you’re not alone. Many teachers feel it; and rightly so. We care deeply about what we do. So when someone says the system isn’t working, it’s hard not to take that personally.
But here’s a gentle reminder:
Criticism of the system isn’t the same as criticism of teachers.
In fact, the two are often worlds apart.
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Teachers Are Doing the Work; But the System Isn’t
When people raise concerns about student outcomes or what’s happening in schools, they’re often responding to what the research is telling us: that many children are not being set up to succeed, especially in reading and maths.
That doesn’t mean teachers aren’t trying.
It doesn’t mean you’re not doing your absolute best.
It means we’ve been working in a system that hasn’t always given teachers what they need:

• Clear guidance about what to teach and how
• Time and space to collaborate
• Access to high-quality, evidence-based materials
• Consistent, embedded professional learning

When those things are missing, everyone suffers: students and staff. So yes, something needs to change. But that change starts by listening to teachers, not blaming them.
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Why It Feels Personal
Teaching is human work. We invest more than just time and energy: we put in heart. That’s why criticism hits hard. We see our own names between the lines of those headlines, even when they’re not there.
But we can’t afford to confuse critique of a structure with an attack on the people inside it.
It’s like blaming the firefighter for the faulty smoke alarm.
You’re in the building, doing your job, but the warning system should’ve been working long before you got there.

What If We Reframed It?
Instead of hearing, “teachers are failing,” what if we heard this:
“Our system has failed to equip teachers with the clarity, consistency, and tools they need; and we can do better.”
Because that’s the truth. You’re already doing more than enough. But the system? It hasn’t caught up with what we know works.
And naming that isn’t about blaming teachers.
It’s about backing them.

So What Now?
Here’s what we can do as educators, leaders, and learners:

• Don’t internalise the criticism. Reflect, yes. Adjust, when needed. But don’t carry the weight of the whole system on your shoulders.
• Speak plainly and bravely. When something’s not working, say so. When you see a better way forward, share it.
• Keep advocating for what matters. Explicit instruction. Knowledge-rich curriculum. Strong routines. Every teacher deserves to feel confident, capable, and supported.

Criticism of education isn’t going away;
and maybe that’s okay.
Because with the right mindset, critique isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity. A sign that people care. That they want better: for students, and for you.

So the next time the headlines come rolling in, remind yourself:
They’re not talking about you.
They’re talking about what you deserve.
A system that works with you, not against you.
Let’s build that system.
Together.

In every classroom, there’s a balancing act between giving all students a voice and maintaining the flow of a lesson. One powerful strategy for ensuring widespread engagement is cold calling, where the teacher selects students to respond without relying on volunteers. But despite its effectiveness, the term can feel, well, cold. That’s why it’s crucial to explore how cold calling can be used with warmth, intention, and careful attention to student needs.

What is Cold Calling?
Cold calling is a technique where teachers select students to answer questions or contribute to discussions without asking for volunteers. That’s right: it removes the need for students to raise their hands. This breaks the pattern of relying on the same few students and makes participation a shared responsibility.

The key purpose?

To keep all students thinking, listening, and ready to contribute because any one of them might be called on.
But if not used thoughtfully, cold calling can cause anxiety or disengagement. That’s why implementation matters just as much as the idea itself.

Cold Calling with Warmth
Here’s how to take the “cold” out of cold calling:
1. Teach first
One of the most effective ways to take the “cold” out of cold calling is to teach first. When we ensure that students have had clear instruction, time to process, and maybe even a chance to rehearse their thinking with a partner, cold calling no longer feels like being put on the spot; it feels like being invited to contribute. We’re not asking students to guess or take a wild stab in the dark; we’re asking them to share something they’ve already started building understanding around. When we teach first, cold calling becomes a natural extension of learning, not a pop quiz in disguise.
2. Normalise Participation
From the first week of school, I let students know that I’ll be inviting and expecting everyone to contribute: not to catch them out, but because I care about them and their thinking matters. I am always careful to emphasise that making mistakes is a part of learning.
When a student says, “But I didn’t have my hand up!” I gently respond, “That’s okay, I still care about what you think.” It’s a small moment, but a powerful reminder that their voice matters, even when they weren’t expecting to share.
3. Use Warm Language and Tone
Cold calling is not about catching students off guard or making them feel exposed—it’s about showing that their thinking matters. I avoid abrupt or evaluative language and instead frame my questions with curiosity and encouragement:
“I’d love to hear your take on this, Bec.”
“Hmm, Jackson, what do you reckon?”
“Let’s go to Tahlia—how are you thinking about this one?”
The tone we use communicates intent. When we ask with warmth and genuine interest, students are more likely to feel safe, valued, and willing to take risks. The way we ask matters just as much as who we ask.

Seem Random, Be Intentional
It’s tempting to make cold calling appear random by using popsicle sticks, name wheels, or digital randomisers. This can be useful early on, but the most effective teachers use strategic selection disguised as spontaneity.
Why? Because not all questions are created equal.

• Some require a confident modelled response → so I pick a student I know is ready.
• Others need a misconception surfaced → I pick a student who might be grappling with it.
• Some call for equity of voice → I bring in quieter students when I know they’ve got a response we can all learn from.

While tools like popsicle sticks or random name generators can appear to make cold calling fair, they often turn the process into a kind of performance; a ritual that looks equitable but actually removes intentionality. Relying on randomisers robs us of the chance to carefully select whose thinking we want to highlight and why. Sometimes we need a strong model, a common misconception, or a confidence boost for a quiet student—and a popsicle stick can’t make that call. Plus, if students see their name pulled and not returned to the jar, they quickly realise they’re “off the hook”, which undermines the whole point: keeping everyone thinking, all the time.
Intentional cold calling means using our knowledge of our students to select in ways that support learning, inclusion, and confidence.

Keep Everyone Thinking
The real power of cold calling is that it raises the thinking stakes for everyone. Our students can’t check out because they might be asked to contribute at any time. To maximise this, I:

• Give wait time after posing a question to the whole class. Then I choose which student I want to hear from.
• Use “No opt out” kindly. If a student struggles, it’s a reflection on my teaching. I help them, and elicit the bits they do understand. I always come back later to give them another chance.
• Allow my students the chance to have-a-go first, either using mini whiteboards or think-pair-share. This gives everyone a chance to rehearse their thinking before I cold call. It also gives me the opportunity to identify who might give a response that will help the whole class’s learning.

 Final Thoughts: Warm Routines Build Brave Learners
Cold calling is not about putting kids on the spot. It’s about building a culture where everyone’s thinking is valued, where participation is the norm, and where learning is a team effort.
When used with warmth, care, and intention, cold calling becomes a practice of inclusion, not pressure.
 
My #1 Tip for Teachers:
Start by cold calling during low-stakes questions and combine it with routines like whiteboards or think-pair-shares. Over time, it’ll feel natural, expected, and safe.
 
Want to explore more ways to check for understanding or build equitable participation? Reach out! I love helping teachers build classrooms where everyone’s voice is part of the learning. 

Education in Victoria is experiencing an exciting shift with the launch of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. This significant update incorporates elements of learning and teaching including an emphasis on Cognitive Load Theory and explicit instruction. The current education minister's active engagement, including attending professional learning sessions and mandating phonemic awareness and phonics in F-2 classes, marks a significant departure from past years when such topics received little attention. 

Reflecting on my own experiences, four years ago I participated in a department-sponsored professional learning course where phonics was merely an elective. At the course's conclusion, my school’s efforts in implementing a systematic synthetic phonics program were dismissed by the facilitator: the exact words were “We’ll just have to agree to disagree”. Two years ago, any mention of literacy and numeracy was notably absent from the then minister’s remarks at the Victorian Educational Excellence Awards. During another year-long program, decodable readers were described as "contrived". Less than six months ago, another department funded PL the need for and importance of explicit teaching was being dismissed. While hopeful about the impact of new initiative, these experiences underscore the significant work still needed to support educators in navigating change effectively.
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I have now helped lead my last three schools through significant change. I know that it is not a simple process, but our students are absolutely worth the effort it takes to ensure our teaching is as effective as possible.​

Although it is tempting to expect change to happen immediately, the reality is that it is a gradual process. This can be frustrating as every day we have a cohort of learners in front of us and we want the best learning experience for them TODAY. However, if we want the change to be substantive and meaningful then we need to take the time to ensure we do it effectively. 
It will take time to develop the knowledge of many leaders and teachers within our system. This new model challenges some of the ideas that were presented as truths during my initial teacher education, and I have no doubt that many colleagues will find some of these challenging. It will take time to access professional learning,  explore these ideas, and understand how to implement these effectively.
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The length of time taken to embed meaningful change is compounded by how stretched and overworked teachers already are. Our workloads tend to be massive, and having time to learn about new approaches often has to compete with a myriad of other things such as our day-to-day planning, assessment, reporting, managing behaviour, communicating with families, organising excursions and extracurricular activities… the list goes on.
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Our time is our most precious resource in education. We need to make sure that we spend it wisely.

Because our time is finite, prioritisation is essential. Teachers are stretched thin and often overwhelmed, raising the question of how we can be expected to adopt new practices while managing our current responsibilities. It is vital that any new initiatives are clearly prioritised, ensuring that educators are not inundated with conflicting demands. Schools should focus on a very limited number of goals, allowing teachers to engage deeply without feeling overwhelmed.
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Unfortunately, schools are complex places which generally means that there are a number of issues that compete to be a priority. It is too easy to get caught up in a new trend, or to spend too much time on things that only have a small impact on the education of our children. We should be critically assessing what our goals are and whether they will have a significant effect on our core business of teaching and learning.

In order to maximise our impact and our time, we need to ensure our priorities are aligned. When our teaching practices, curricula, assessments, and professional development all point in the same direction, we significantly enhance our potential for success. 

Too often competing priorities can end up with schools working at cross purposes. This is why it is exciting that the Victorian Teaching & Learning Model 2.0 highlights how we learn. This means that we are better positioned to ensure alignment by checking that our understandings are consistent across subjects and domains. A great example of this is evident in how explicit teaching is a core aspect of not only English and Mathematics, but also School-wide Positive Behaviour Support. This means that schools could align their priorities by focusing on ‘explicit teaching’ so that all staff are heading in the same direction.

It’s not enough just to make sure that we are aligned with our priorities. Because time is such a critical factor, we also need to stop doing things as well. We have to evaluate and ‘prune’ non-essential tasks that do not contribute to our core objectives. Just as a gardener removes excess growth to promote flourishing blooms, we should identify activities that divert time and energy from impactful work. Streamlining efforts frees up time for professional development, collaboration, and focusing on teaching. Sometimes the pruning we need to do is obvious and we get trim things that we are happy to see go. The harder task is in identifying practices that may be nice to do, but get in the way of the ones that are essential.

Meaningful change in education is a complex and multifaceted journey that requires intentional prioritisation, alignment of goals, and the courage to let go of non-essential tasks. With patience and commitment, we can continue to create thriving educational environments that support our students.

Prioritise
   Reflect on your current practices and identify one core priority that will drive change in your school.

Align
   Ensure that there is consistency in priorities across the school. Focus first on techniques or methods that are transferable, such as explicit instruction, or checking for understanding.

Prune
   Identify tasks or routines that are "nice-to-do" but don’t significantly impact student learning outcomes. Gradually phase these out to free up time for high-impact strategies that align with school priorities.

Engage  
   Actively seek out professional learning opportunities to deepen understanding and application in the classroom. There is so much great PL already available through sources like Think Forward Educators, Sharing Best Practice or What Works Series.

Collaborate
   We are fortunate that we schools have amazing expertise within them. Work together with colleagues to share insights and strategies, visit each others classrooms and lean on each other.