4. Rethinking Literacy: In Conversation with Haili Hughes

Adrian Bethune, a beacon of hope in the world of education, joins us on this episode of Literacy Works podcast, taking us through his life experiences, from the music industry to primary school teaching and how his own personal challenges with mental health led him to champion the teaching of wellbeing in schools. His journey is an inspiration, underscoring the necessity of nurturing emotional health in both teachers and learners alike.

We venture into the essentials of teacher wellbeing, touching on Adrian's "Seeds of Happiness" course, a Teach Primary award winner in 2021. Our conversation sheds light on the practical strategies and collaborative efforts needed to root these evidence-based wellbeing methods within the fabric of our educational systems. As Adrian articulates, the science of wellbeing offers more than just the keys to personal fulfillment—it's a blueprint for a thriving learning environment.

To cap off our discussion, we celebrate the power of reading for pleasure, exploring how this simple yet profound activity fosters both emotional intelligence and academic prowess in children. From Andy and Adrian's personal narratives with their children to the broader implications of reading culture, we affirm the long-term benefits of reading for everyone. 

For more insights from Adrian:

• Visit his website, Teachappy
• Follow him on X, Instagram, Youtube and LinkedIn

Join us on a linguistic journey with Marcello Giovanelli, a renowned expert in literary linguistics from Aston University, as he shares a wealth of insights that will transform your understanding of language, literacy and beyond. In this episode, we delve into Marcello's latest book, written with Jennifer Webb, Essential Grammar (Routledge), a pivotal guide for educators and students seeking to enhance their understanding of language in literature. Their combined expertise offers a new lens to view the integral relationship between language mastery and academic success.

This podcast episode explores the unique linguistic identity inherent in different academic subjects, highlighting the profound impact of language awareness on student comprehension and achievement. We reflect on groundbreaking initiatives that integrate language skills across the curriculum, emphasizing the importance of clarity and transparency in academic writing. Our discussion is a call to democratize education by providing learners with the linguistic tools they need to excel in any academic field.

Challenging the status quo, we scrutinize the often compartmentalized teaching of language and literature within the English discipline, particularly poignant in the UK education system. A holistic approach that encompasses language and literature together is championed, celebrating recent advancements and the educators leading the charge. As we acknowledge the critical role that language education plays in society, from media literacy to combating misinformation, we conclude with a salute to Charles Dickens' exceptional command of language, which has enriched our discourse and promises to inspire our listeners and learners.

For more insights from Marcello, follow him on X: @mmgiovanelli and to get your copy of "Essential Grammar," visit Routledge. 

Ever wish you could unlock the true potential of your students? Today, we're joined by Lucie Turner, a dedicated history teacher from St. Anselm's Catholic School, who reveals her strategies for success with Bedrock Mapper's disciplinary literacy curriculum. Lucie highlights the transformative power of this program, guiding us through her hands-on experience in leveraging Bedrock Mapper as a pre-teaching tool. She underlines the importance of knowledge-rich learning in a student's journey and delves into how a year-round focus on keywords, instead of a term-based approach, yields better learning outcomes.

Together, we peel back the layers on the significance of keywords and concepts when teaching history - how these foundational elements pave the way to a deeper understanding and knowledge for students. We also identify the critical role of real-world examples in connecting with a student's pre-existing knowledge. We even touch on the distinction between history and literature and its effect on our teaching methodologies. Lastly, we take you on a reflective journey, emphasizing the valuable role of self-reflection and note-taking in personal growth. Join us as we celebrate the power of education and our shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of students.

Find St Anselm's Catholic School, part of Kent Catholic Schools Partnership, on social media:
x: @St_Anselms
Instagram: sacscanterbury

As a school, St Anselm's do some incredible work with mental health alongside the NELFT team. See what they do and find out how your school can get involved.

Ever wondered why literacy isn't just an English teacher's job? Well, we found the perfect guest to answer that - Haili Hughes.

A true educational powerhouse, Haili has extensive experience in education, from teaching English for 16 years to now being a Director of Education at Iris Connect, a prolific author of many educational books, and a Mentor Lead at Sunderland university, overseeing the mentoring of thousands of teachers.

In this episode, we discuss the significance of disciplinary literacy and what it means for schools, as well as the nuance and significance of other types of literacy and higher level thinking around curriculum planning that schools could consider in the future.

We also grapple with the undervalued and often neglected topic of grammar in education. Sharing from our personal encounters with grammatical training, or the lack thereof, we underscore its significance across various disciplines. We advocate for the amplification of student voices across disciplines through effective grammar teaching and discuss the importance of early adopters in championing this cause.

The conversation doesn't stop there, though. We also address the significance of literacy research in the teaching profession. From bridging the gap between theory and practice to the role of knowledge organizers, we touch on all aspects critical to effective teaching.

As our engaging talk with Haili comes to a close, we enthusiastically anticipate her new book and promise to keep you updated about its launch. This episode is packed with insights that promise to redefine your understanding of literacy in education.

Come, let's rethink literacy!

Follow Haili on X: @HughesHaili
Check out Haili's blogs, books and other projects here.
Follow IRIS Connect on X: @IRIS_Connect

Ever wondered how every academic subject can contribute to literacy development? 

This episode promises to enlighten you, as we chat with Mel King, Assistant Head and Subject Lead for History at St Simon Stock Catholic School, has worked closely with Bedrock champion school, St Anselm's Catholic School (case study here) to develop the use of Bedrock Mapper in her history curriculum. 

Mel shares her experience with Mapper, a revolutionary tool that has profoundly improved students' literacy. Inspired by Catherine Mortimer's "Disciplinary Literacy," Mel's story reveals how Mapper’s successful implementation across all subjects significantly enhances students' grasp of essential historical terms.

Mel walks us through the impressive progress in reading ages and the sense of fulfilment students experience when they earn badges and certificates.  We really address the nuts and bolts of implementation, and how Bedrock Mapper has supported Mel's learners to become true historians. 

This episode is a goldmine of practical advice and insights on implementing change in schools and boosting literacy skills.  Look out for the killed/murdered/assassinated discussion! 

How would your educational journey have changed if your teachers focused on disciplinary literacy? That's the intriguing question we tackle with Mark Miller, director of Bradford Research Schools and an English teacher at heart. This episode is an invitation into the world of disciplinary literacy, shining a light on the intricate dance between subject content and literacy skills, and the profound impact they have on the learner's journey.

As we navigate through this enlightening conversation, we touch on the importance of explicit goals in teaching and how it can shape the cognitive load of students. We discuss how reading strategies can evolve into effortless routines, with teachers playing an instrumental role in this journey. Mark shares the value of small, focused changes, like enhancing vocabulary, in bolstering disciplinary literacy in schools.

Finally, we delve into the power of words in the context of science, and the role of literacy in subjects it often seems detached from. The Freya model of teaching vocabulary makes an appearance, along with a discussion about its benefits and limitations. Tune in to this rich conversation and arm yourself with valuable wisdom and ideas for your educational pursuits.

Mentioned in the episode:  EEF Improving Secondary Literacy guidance reports

You can hear more from Mark @markmillerteach and  Bradford Research School, @BradResearchSch. Find out more about upcoming events with Bradford research school, or find a research school near you. 

Discover how geography educator, Kate Stockings, reshapes entire curriculums and inspires a new generation of young geographers.

Welcome to the very first episode of our Literacy Works with Bedrock Learning podcast. In this first chat, we connect with  Kate Stockings, the trust lead for geography, who's spearheaded monumental changes in Key Stage 3 curriculums at two schools. Kate pulls back the curtain on this process, sharing her personal experiences and strategies for refreshing geography topics and bringing them back to life. She illuminates the importance of teamwork and collaboration in fostering curriculum development as well as the critical role that 'disciplinary literacy' plays.

Turning the tables on traditional learning, we take an intriguing look at inquiry-based education within the realm of geography. Picture your students as investigators, their curiosity ignited as they question, engage, and dive deep into the subject. We navigate the intricate terrain of teaching geography vocabulary, underlining the importance of precision and a thorough understanding of specific terms that can often be roadblocks in a student's journey to proficiency.

Wrapping up, we dive into the joys and trials of curriculum decision-making with Kate. Kate emphasizes the value of respecting diverse approaches to reach educational goals and the thoughtful decision-making behind it. We guarantee you will walk away with an enlightening insider's view of curriculum planning and development. Whether you're an educator, a geography enthusiast, or someone interested in the behind-the-scenes of curriculum planning, this is a conversation you don't want to miss!

Find more from Kate on her website, or follow her on X @kate_stockings.