Author: Craig Barton

  • To develop resilience you need both high challenge and high support

    Summary This YouTube transcript discusses how to foster resilience in students. The core argument is that a resilient learning environment requires high challenge combined with high support. The video explores practical classroom strategies, such as emphasizing effort over outcome and providing constructive feedback, to achieve this balance. Teacher mindset, specifically a growth mindset, is highlighted as crucial for creating such…

  • Consider lengthening wait times to maximise retrieval

    Summary This YouTube transcript discusses the importance of increasing wait time after asking students questions to maximize the effectiveness of retrieval practice. Research suggests that longer wait times (around 3 seconds) improve both the quality and quantity of student responses, although an optimal wait time isn’t definitively established. The speakers highlight that teachers often underestimate…

  • Tips for Teachers Newsletter #3

    How to organise the disorganised Welcome to the Tips for Teachers Newsletter. Each Monday an email will arrive in your inbox with a tip that you might like to try out during the coming week. This week I want to share an effective use of technology that I learned from languages teacher Jon Mumford –…

  • Students need to know you are in charge of the classroom

    Summary This YouTube video discusses classroom management, emphasizing that teachers must be in charge to establish a structured learning environment. The speaker argues against overly democratic approaches, advocating for clear rules and consistent enforcement while building positive teacher-student relationships. The importance of scaffolding student responsibility is highlighted, with the suggestion that teachers gradually relinquish direct…

  • Teach students how to have the right equipment

    Summary This YouTube video discusses strategies for teachers to manage students’ lack of necessary school supplies. The video emphasizes the importance of clearly communicating equipment expectations to students from the beginning of the year and implementing consistent checks to ensure compliance. The speaker suggests various methods, including a “one to use, one to lose, one to lend” approach and a system of tracking…

  • Teach students how to behave in a supply or cover lesson

    Summary This YouTube video excerpt offers advice for teachers on managing student behavior during substitute lessons. The core tip is to proactively teach students expected behaviors and roles before a substitute teacher arrives, assigning specific tasks to individual students and clearly communicating these expectations to the substitute. This approach aims to create a smooth classroom experience even…

  • Teach students what to do when they are stuck

    Summary This YouTube video discusses effective teaching strategies, specifically focusing on how to help students overcome being stuck on a task. The speaker emphasizes the importance of explicitly teaching students a process for handling challenges, rather than assuming they will intuitively know what to do. This involves demonstrating the process, providing practice, giving feedback, and incorporating regular review. The…

  • Use the school behaviour policy

    Summary This YouTube video excerpt offers advice to teachers on classroom management, specifically emphasizing the importance of consistently adhering to the school’s behavior policy. The speaker argues that following the policy, even if flawed, fosters consistency and strengthens the school’s overall approach. While acknowledging the possibility of poorly designed policies, the speaker suggests working within the system to…

  • Tom Bennett

    This episode of the Tips for Teachers podcast is proudly supported by Arc MathsYou can download an mp3 of the podcast here. Tom Bennet’s tips: Use the school behaviour policy (02:56) Teach students what to do when they are stuck (08:27) Teach students how to behave in a supply or cover lesson (15:05) Teach students how to…

  • How to help students avoid “silly” mistakes

    More tips from Craig Barton Video transcript