SHARP START 

Students start a lesson with a retrieval task or a ‘think hard’ task on the board. This activates prior knowledge so we can build meaningful connection. 

BIG PICTURE 

We give students a Big Question to explore and we place learning in the continuum of Last lesson – This lesson - Next lesson to contextualise their learning. Homework is also given at this stage.  

PRESENT 

We then introduce the new content to students. We explain it in small steps, allowing time for making meaning and asking questions. This is when the misconceptions are caught and explained.  

GUIDED PRACTICE 

We use I do – We do – You do modelling of the skill or application of knowledge, so students learn how to approach their topic. We use scaffolds to help them explore the information and practise together before asking them to work through a problem independently. 

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE 

This is when students show us what they have learnt through silent, independently completed tasks that allow them to grapple with content, analyse their strengths and gaps in knowledge and take full control of their learning. We call this a Purple Zone time.  

REVIEW AND NEAT FINISH 

We return to the Big Question to review the learning and ensure we have not missed anything. We end the lesson, celebrating success with the positive points students earned and the AIM to EXCEL ticket that is awarded for their extraordinary work and effort.