Sacred Heart Catholic School Mosman
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8 Cardinal Street
Mosman NSW 2088
Subscribe: https://shcsmosman.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 9969 6600

TEACHING AND LEARNING UPDATE

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Explicit Instruction has become a key focus within the education system because of the strong evidence showing its power as a teaching strategy. Research continues to support it as an effective practice for students of all ages and backgrounds. It aligns with how the brain processes, stores, and retrieves information, making it a great fit for how students naturally learn. That’s why, at Sacred Heart, our teachers use Explicit Instruction daily in their lessons; because it highly benefits and supports our students' learning, ensuring they feel confident and supported.

Every student benefits from explicit teaching, especially when learning new or complex concepts. This approach helps them build foundational skills and knowledge, which in turn enables them to apply their learning with greater independence. Teachers draw on their expertise to select the most effective explicit teaching strategies, ensuring they are used at the right time and for the right purpose. Strengthening these practices begins with a shared understanding of key concepts such as how learning occurs, the limitations of working memory, and the importance of maintaining high expectations. This aligns with our commitment to Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and the SCS system priorities, both of which emphasise clear, guided learning at every stage.

Why does Explicit Instruction work so well?
Explicit Instruction works because it helps students learn in small, manageable steps. When teachers break down tasks and model how to do them, students can focus on each part without feeling overwhelmed. This approach is perfect for all students, no matter their age or ability, and it gives them the building blocks to understand new or tricky ideas. Here’s just a couple of examples how our teachers use Explicit Instruction effectively in the classroom: 

  1. Whole Class Learning: In a Maths lesson, the teacher starts by clearly demonstrating how to solve a new type of problem, explaining each step while showing the process. The teacher checks for understanding throughout the demonstration to ensure students are following along. Then, the whole class practises similar  problems together, with the teacher guiding and supporting as needed. This ensures everyone has a chance to see the process clearly before trying it on their own.  
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  2. Guided Practice: In a reading lesson, the teacher models a strategy, such as predicting what happens next in a story, by “thinking aloud” as they read the text. Afterward, students practise this skill in small groups, with the teacher offering feedback and guidance as they apply the strategy themselves.

At Sacred Heart, we believe in the power of Explicit Instruction to help all our students succeed. It’s one of the best ways to ensure that every child feels confident, prepared, and ready to move forward in their learning.

Nerissa McCartney 

Leader of Teaching and Learning