List of useful blogs / books for teaching.

1. Master List of Blogs / Articles / Books in Training School Library for Professional Learning
Professional Learning at The Cherwell School
TOPIC: Learning intentions / Focus
http://improvingteaching.co.uk/2013/10/06/how-ive-tried-to-share-learning-intentions-better/ (history)
http://cazzypotsblog.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/the-secret-recipe-of-learning-learn-potion-n9/ (Useful review of
general learning research, with emphasis on the importance of focus / clarity)
Embedded Formative Assessment (Dylan Wiliam) - Chapter 3 - Clarifying, Sharing and Understanding Learning Intentions
and Success Criteria (a good theoretical overview with some subject specific practical examples)
TOPIC: Feedback
http://www.huntingenglish.com/2013/10/12/dirty-work/
http://www.huntingenglish.com/2013/06/16/improving-written-feedback/
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/assessment/back-school-part-5-marking/
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/featured/reducing-feedback-might-increase-learning/ (less is more)
http://mrreddy.com/blog/2013/12/plan-50-where-my-maths-gcse-class-are-going-to-get-their-next-50-marks/ (Maths)
http://back2thewhiteboard.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/5-how-can-i-mark-books-without-burning-out/ (Maths,
marking)
http://thegoldfishbowl.edublogs.org/2014/09/27/solving-the-problems-of-feedback/ (various practical
ideas on feedback)
http://belmontteach.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/fast-feedback-4/
http://chrislowemfl.wordpress.com/2014/09/28/dirty-butterflies-understanding-and-acting-on-feedback/
(MFL)
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/assessment/marking-act-love/
http://classteaching.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/tlt14-feedback-matters/
http://reflectionsofmyteaching.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/creating-culture-of-critique.html
http://headguruteacher.com/2014/10/24/10-silver-arrows-ideas-to-penetrate-the-armour-of-ingrained-practice/
Make it Stick - Chapter 2 (To Learn, Retrieve) - makes the case for the use of regular low stakes testing / feedback. Not
especially subject specific but good on key principles.
Embedded Formative Assessment (Dylan Wiliam) - Chapter 5 - Providing Feedback that Moves Learning Forward
(convincing but not subject-specific - interesting on Mindset / emotional responses to feedback)
Visible Learning: the Science of how we Learn - John Hattie: Chapter 8 - The role of feedback
TOPIC: Teacher Talk / Explanations
http://reflectingenglish.wordpress.com/category/classroom-dialogue/
http://headguruteacher.com/2014/03/22/pedagogy-postcard-1-dialogic-questions/ (Science)
http://headguruteacher.com/2013/02/13/great-lessons-6-explaining/ (Science)
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/featured/teaching-cycle-stage-1-explaining/
http://huntingenglish.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/explanations-top-ten-teaching-tips/
http://evidenceintopractice.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/teaching-science-using-analogies/ (Science use of worked
examples)
http://johntomsett.com/2014/03/08/this-much-i-know-about-trying-to-improve-my-teaching-deliberately/ (includes
video of Economics A Level Teaching)
http://www.mrthomasmaths.com/2013/06/lightbulb-moments/
http://improvingteaching.co.uk/2014/09/14/how-can-i-ensure-classroom-discussions-flow-clicks-seat-signals-keeping-abdullahi-
focused/
http://www.huntingenglish.com/2014/09/28/infectious-explanations-teach-secondary-article/

2. TOPIC: Literacy
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/literacy-2/back-school-part-3-literacy/
http://johntomsett.com/2014/02/01/this-much-i-know-about-teaching-students-how-to-plan-stonkingly-good-essays/
http://improvingteaching.co.uk/2013/08/17/inducing-quality-writing/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/canadians-science-literacy-ranks-1st-among-35-countries-1.2749413
The Secret of Literacy (David Didau) : a really useful and readable overview of strategies for the teaching of Literacy
across the curriculum
TOPIC: Group Work
http://headguruteacher.com/2014/04/04/pedagogy-postcard-9-group-work/
http://pedagogicalpurposes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/fishbowl-discussions-to-develop-oracy.html (group discussion in
science)
http://pedagogicalpurposes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/fishbowl-converstaions-student-examples.html (follow up post)
TOPIC: Modelling
http://reflectingenglish.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/modelling-writing-and-the-meaning-of-life/
http://headguruteacher.com/2014/03/29/pedagogy-postcard-6-modelling-showing-how-its-done/
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/english-gcse/teaching-cycle-stage-2-model/
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/featured/teaching-cycle-stage-3-scaffold/
http://johntomsett.com/2014/02/01/this-much-i-know-about-teaching-students-how-to-plan-stonkingly-good-essays/
(essay writing)
http://www.huntingenglish.com/2013/03/19/shared-writing-modelling-mastery/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snIiflGQfAA#t=34 (Ron Berger)
Visible Learning: the Science of how we Learn - John Hattie: Chapter 9 - Acquiring complex skills through modelling and
explicit teaching (quite sciency but v interesting on modelling)
http://leadinglearner.me/2014/10/04/diy-teaching-cpd-excellence-and-evidence/
An Ethic of Excellence: Building a Culture of Craftsmanship with Students (Ron Berger) – inspiring read with specific
advice on regular use of models

3. TOPIC: Activities
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/featured/teaching-sequence-for-developing-independence-stage-4-practise/ (practice)
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/learning/teaching-independence-learning-difficult/ (thinking)
http://www.creativitypost.com/create/how_to_stimulate_curiosity (thinking / curiosity)
http://improvingteaching.co.uk/2014/09/14/how-can-i-ensure-classroom-discussions-flow-clicks-seat-signals-keeping-abdullahi-
focused/
http://pragmaticreform.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/willingham/ (thinking)
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/winter0809/willingham.pdf (committing to memory)
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/spring2009/Willingham(2).pdf (brilliant on the mind / provoking curiosity /
memory)
http://headguruteacher.com/2014/09/26/improving-the-basics-inspired-by-austin/ (Redrafting / Growth Mindset -
Science examples)
http://thewingtoheaven.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/seven-myths-about-education-out-now/ (evidence-based attempt
to promote the value of teaching knowledge)
http://classteaching.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/the-benefits-of-regular-retrieval-practice/ (organisation of low stakes
testingto promote progress over time)
http://isabellejones.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/all-session-at-woodbridge-school.html (MFL - creative task setting)
http://reflectingenglish.wordpress.com/2014/09/19/round-and-round-we-go-teaching-english-in-spirals/ (English -
revisiting skills)
http://improvingteaching.co.uk/2014/09/28/enjoying-ironing-and-improving-pedagogical-content-knowledge/
(knowledge in history)
http://www.reonline.org.uk/supporting/re-matters/news-inner/?id=27555 (Knowledge in RE)
http://reflectingenglish.wordpress.com/2014/10/05/the-dangers-of-differentiation-and-what-to-do-about-them/
http://www.learningspy.co.uk/learning/high-expectations-enough/
Questioning
http://headguruteacher.com/2012/08/28/the-number-1-bit-of-classroom-kit-mini-whiteboards/
Embedded Formative Assessment (Dylan Wiliam) - Chapter 4 - Eliciting Evidence of Learners’ Achievement (good on
mini-testing and questioning - some practical strategies)
Assessment for Learning - Putting it into Practice (Dylan Wiliam) - Page 32 - 42 - interesting section on questioning with
some transcripts from real lessons.
TOPIC: Maths-specific

4. http://www.danielwillingham.com/daniel-willingham-science-and-education-blog/math-anxiety-what-it-does-and-what-can-
be-done
http://www.danielwillingham.com/daniel-willingham-science-and-education-blog/why-do-some-students-struggle-with-math
http://www.danielwillingham.com/daniel-willingham-science-and-education-blog/why-americans-stink-at-math
(includes focus on professional learning for maths teachers)
http://mrreddy.com/blog/
http://evidenceintopractice.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/apa-learning-memory-digest/ Learning avoidance strategies in
maths
http://ideasfortheclassroom.wordpress.com/2014/09/28/maths-gimmicks-not-in-my-classroom-thanks/ (Maths
Activities)
http://teachingbattleground.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/fluency-in-mathematics-part-1/
http://www.resourceaholic.com/2014/10/bridging-gap-to-level.html (maths)
http://www.resourceaholic.com/2014/10/trig.html (maths trig)
BLOGS AIMED AT NQTs
http://classteaching.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/mythbusting/
TOPIC: Growth Mindset
http://ideas.time.com/2012/01/25/the-myth-of-practice-makes-perfect/
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/04/what-kids-should-know-about-their-own-brains/
http://johntomsett.com/2013/10/20/this-much-i-know-about-developing-a-dweck-inspired-growth-mindset-culture/
http://classteaching.wordpress.com/blog-of-the-week/ - 10 ways to create Growth Mindset
http://johntomsett.com/2012/10/06/this-much-i-know-aboutteaching-disengaged-15-year-old-boys/
http://joeybagstock.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/how-do-you-explain-a-concept-like-growth-mindset/
Make it Stick: Chapter 7 (Increase your abilities) - good on Dweck’s research on Growth Mindset / Neuroplasticity /
Deliberate Practice/ Memory Cues
Mindset : The New Psychology of Success: Carol Dweck – excellent overview of the science underpinning the
theory of Growth Mindset
Bounce: Matthew Syed – peerless study of Growth Mindset thinking and GM in action.