Thank you for this. I have been very interested in this apparent conflation of engagement and learning for some time now, having written about a few different discovery learning school models over the last few weeks. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the school arguably at the extreme of the explicit instruction rubric, Michaela Community School, which I am hoping to visit soon. Many thanks again, and would be grateful to hear your perspective
Yes, when I first heard about Michaela, I wasn't sure. However, as I learned more about them I became quite a fan of how they operate, especially given their outcomes. I recently enjoyed reading Battle Hymn of Tiger Teachers https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Hymn-Tiger-Teachers-Michaela/dp/1909717967 which gives some great insights into the early days of the school - I think it was only 3 years old when they wrote it.
I don't think all of what they do is schools is necessary in every school, but there is a lot to be taken from them, regardless of our context. They certainly do things unashamedly their way and tightly apply the science of learning. I think what I love most is their explicit teaching of values and behaviour, and their approach to reading. I believe their students read 8,000 to 10,000 words a day!
A visit would be great to see them in action - I hope you manage to get over there.
Thanks for getting back Mark. Absolutely, I haven’t read that book but I’ve read their more recent one the Power of Culture: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Michaela-Power-Culture. Their teaching of values is certainly something I have been keen to read about
Thank you for this. I have been very interested in this apparent conflation of engagement and learning for some time now, having written about a few different discovery learning school models over the last few weeks. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the school arguably at the extreme of the explicit instruction rubric, Michaela Community School, which I am hoping to visit soon. Many thanks again, and would be grateful to hear your perspective
That’s my next read, I reckon. Heard good things from colleagues.
Yes, when I first heard about Michaela, I wasn't sure. However, as I learned more about them I became quite a fan of how they operate, especially given their outcomes. I recently enjoyed reading Battle Hymn of Tiger Teachers https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Hymn-Tiger-Teachers-Michaela/dp/1909717967 which gives some great insights into the early days of the school - I think it was only 3 years old when they wrote it.
I don't think all of what they do is schools is necessary in every school, but there is a lot to be taken from them, regardless of our context. They certainly do things unashamedly their way and tightly apply the science of learning. I think what I love most is their explicit teaching of values and behaviour, and their approach to reading. I believe their students read 8,000 to 10,000 words a day!
A visit would be great to see them in action - I hope you manage to get over there.
Thanks for getting back Mark. Absolutely, I haven’t read that book but I’ve read their more recent one the Power of Culture: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Michaela-Power-Culture. Their teaching of values is certainly something I have been keen to read about