Episodes

  • Join us for an exclusive bonus episode of the HDYT? Podcast! Hosted by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and featuring Zoe Enser (Lead HMI Secondary English) from OFSTED, this episode promises an enriching discussion on the state of English education today.

    Together, they delve into the highlights of the English education subject report, celebrating the exemplary practices of English teachers nationwide. From recognising the widespread appreciation for English education to navigating the intricacies of nurturing writing skills, this conversation is brimming with profound insights. Explore the nuanced dynamics of code-switching, tones and registers in shaping educators' approach to oracy.

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and perspectives, regardless of which phase or sector of education you’re in. Embark on a journey of reflection, upliftment and discovery as Rachel and Zoe unpack thought-provoking points and share uplifting moments. Tune in today and be inspired by the passion and dedication driving education forward!

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Prepare to enhance your science revision with Karen and Amanda!

    They're here to revolutionise science exam preparation in this final episode of the ‘HDYT?’ science series. From structured methods to rigorous practice testing and innovative multi-disciplinary approaches, they've outlined a toolkit of strategies to help you help students strive for success in science. Join them as they share tips on how to optimise revision sessions, transform the specification into engaging approach-style questions, explore sophisticated techniques such as Cornell notes and self-explanation for effective retention and more.

    Tune in for invaluable insights and elevate your exam readiness!

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

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  • Get ready to shake up your approach to revision with a burst of creativity on the final episode of 'HDYT?' English series! Join Rachel Johnson alongside a stellar lineup of educators and authors including Mark Roberts, Amy Staniforth, Stuart Pryke, and Dr. Jamie Edgecombe.

    Discover the joy of guiding students through the literary landscape as they blossom into unique and imaginative writers. Sharing many gems like techniques to overcome the initial hurdles of apprehension with a curated "sweet shop of texts”, exposing students to a rich tapestry of literature, delving into the realm of emotion, expanding vocabularies, and honing the skill of adopting personas effectively.

    This episode is a treasure trove of innovative ideas waiting for you to explore. Tune in and ignite the spark of creativity in your revision sessions today!

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • At some point in the year, you’ll probably have witnessed the transformation in your students as they embrace the English Literature content, taking pride in their progress and impressing themselves, peers, and teachers alike– so let’s make the most of this momentum as we approach exams.

    Embark on the journey of effective revision strategies in English education with Rachel Johnson and a dynamic team of educators - Ashley Harris, Amy Weir, and Josh Sheehan - on this very practical episode of the 'How do you teach?' podcast. Explore a treasure trove of revision techniques honed through years of experience.

    Join us to take a look at several approaches such as chunking to dissect complex texts, streamlining content to alleviate cognitive strain, and fostering collaboration through group work to bolster confidence in articulating ideas. Dive into innovative methods including modelling and deconstructing sophisticated responses, “dual-coding”, creating key quote booklets, and more.

    Unlock the secrets to effective revision and empower your students to reach new heights of academic success in this vital episode.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Join Karen and Amanda as they tackle a key issue highlighted in examiners' reports year after year: the struggle with practical questions in exams.

    In this episode, they delve into the importance of purposeful practicals, dissecting the barriers staff and students face in mastering these essential skills.

    Drawing insights from key publications such as the Gatsby Good Practical Science Guide and the Education Endowment Fund’s Improving Secondary Science, Karen and Amanda explore strategies to overcome these challenges.

    From understanding the five purposes of practical work, to utilising resources like the auditing tools for further development, they provide so many tips and tricks for success in science.

    Discover innovative approaches like deconstructed practicals and gain valuable insights whether you're a novice teacher, a non-specialist, or simply looking to refine your practical teaching methods. Tune in today and elevate your approach to practical work in the classroom!

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Explore the complexities of teaching calculation skills in science with Karen and Amanda. Novice learners often struggle with grasping formulas, unit conversions, and applying knowledge across disciplines.

    Join them as they delve into strategies such as speaking the language of maths, effectively rearranging equations, and modelling solutions to challenging problems.

    Discover invaluable scaffolding techniques like FAME (Fade, Apply, Mistakes/misconceptions, Explain) and FIFA (Formula, Insert, Fine-tune, Answer) to enhance student understanding and support their scientific journey.

    Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, this episode offers practical insights to elevate your teaching approach and empower your students to strive for success.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Demystify the vital skill of the teaching and learning of comparison questions in GCSE English with Rachel Johnson and a panel of esteemed educators – Yamina Bibi, Joshua Clarke, and Natalie Sinclair – on this week's episode of the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast.

    Unravel the complexities of guiding students through comparison questions as we explore actionable strategies and insights.

    From honing analytical prowess through Socratic questioning to delving into tonal nuances, discover innovative scaffolding approaches to enriching student learning.

    Explore unconventional resources such as propaganda posters and children's books to foster a deep understanding of comparative language in a low-stakes format.

    Tune in to uncover methods for bridging cultural divides and cultivating emotional literacy, equipping your students to strive for success in exams and beyond

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    The ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Welcome to "How Do You Teach?” where Karen Collins and Amanda Clegg, authors of 'Grappling with Graphs' and science teaching experts, delve into the perplexing world of graph interpretation and construction.

    In this episode, Karen and Amanda unravel the mysteries behind why students often struggle with graphs. From the fundamental issues in constructing and interpreting graphs, to the intricacies of plotting and understanding the line of best fit, they leave no stone unturned. Sharing strategies for collaborative teaching with maths colleagues, ensuring a seamless transfer of knowledge between the disciplines, and drawing from research-backed methodologies and evidence-informed practices, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to enhance their students' graphing skills, not just in science but across the academic spectrum. Tune in and empower your students to strive for success in science and beyond.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Being able to evaluate effectively is a crucial skill, both in and out of the English classroom.

    Join Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) and seasoned English educators Jo Heathcote and Richard Twigg (@Richard_Twigg), this week, as they get stuck into the nuances of teaching evaluations, dissecting the joys and challenges, tips and tricks.

    Whether it is enabling students to debate and critically think about media effectively, addressing the large cognitive load required to attempt these questions, or strengthening the confidence needed for students to be bold in their views, evaluation can be an intimidating thing to teach and learn.

    Gain practical insights including the power of "Juicy quotations," the balance between prepping and planning, and the efficacy of techniques like "SLOP" (Shed Loads of Practice). Learn how to decode evaluation questions and more as we explore invaluable teaching strategies in this episode of 'How do you teach?'.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    The ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • The acquisition and recall of knowledge is very important, but there emerges a need to include understanding and application of knowledge to the practice of teaching science to ensure students are able to use what they have learned, even when facing questions they may not be familiar with.

    Amanda and Karen take us back to 2018, where the simple osmosis question that led to “Carrot-gate” highlights the issues students have with the application of knowledge in Science.

    Diving into the dangers of rote learning, exploring legacy controlled assessments, the vital strategy of ‘think aloud’, and how to utilise low threshold – high ceiling tasks, Amanda and Karen unpick how to address building students’ resilience and confidence when tackling questions that are unusual to them.

    With strategies, tips, and recommendations, join us on this crucial science episode of the ‘How Do You Teach?’ podcast.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Creativity and curiosity lie at the heart of great writing skills, but nurturing this ability can pose difficulties for English educators at every level.

    This week, we welcome English teachers Luke Boatright (@CPAenglish) and Glynn Palmer-Bell (@teachEnglishLit) to talk about all things writing.

    Alongside PiXL CEO, Rachel Johnson, they discuss what great writing can open young people up to, exploring their top tips to encourage more inquisitiveness, honing student’s imaginative skills, discussing their preferences for descriptive writing vs narrative writing, and recounting experiences that every English teacher in the nation can relate to.

    From addressing the importance of reading for pleasure amongst their students and the impact this has on writing, to dissecting how to approach questions on structure, to practical techniques like slow writing and ‘vetoing exercises’ – Join Rachel, Luke and Glynn to reflect on the power of mastering great writing and how to teach students to tap into it.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    If you are new here, the ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • Extended response questions - overwhelmed students may leave them blank. Others might try unloading all of the information they know about the topic, without actually answering the question.

    There are many reasons why students struggle with tackling these questions in exams, but what steps can you take to ensure they know the best way to approach these questions?

    Join our expert Science duo Karen Collins and Amanda Clegg as they delve into the core issues hindering students in science exams.

    From understanding command words to employing effective scaffolding strategies, they offer practical advice to empower educators. Uncover essential insights, including decoding examiner reports and modelling optimal responses. Tune in for expert guidance on tackling the toughest challenges in science assessment.

    Discover the secrets to mastering extended response questions with the "How Do You Teach?" podcast!

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    The ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.

  • The teaching of unseen texts can provide brilliant opportunities for students to apply their skills and knowledge, but it is not without its challenges.

    To kick off the first English episode of ‘How do you Teach?’, PiXL CEO Rachel Johnson is joined by expert teachers and authors Haili Hughes (@HugesHaili) and Chris Curtis (@Xris32), who discuss the importance of normalising the difficulty of approaching unseen texts, as well as why it is vital to embed skills from Year 7 to improve confidence and familiarity.

    Chris and Haili delve into why emotional literacy is so crucial to engaging with unseen texts successfully, and how they build up students' navigational skills when approaching different styles of texts to ensure purposeful analysis, rather than feature-spotting.

    If you are already a PiXL member head over to our website to download our 'How To' guides and or 'Strive for Success' student workbook aimed at KS4 students.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a PiXL member, email [email protected]

    The ‘How do you teach?’ podcast from PiXL explores the key areas that pupils find challenging in English and Science.

    Expert educationalists from our network suggest practical approaches you can take as teachers to help your students strive for success now.

    Episodes are released weekly episodes to help you support your pupils over this crucial period.

    English episodes are released on a Monday and Science on a Tuesday.

    "How do you teach?" is a We Are In Beta production.