How to Teach

RULE 3 – SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AND THE BIG STUFF DON’T HAPPEN

But if you sit them with girls they can help, they change character immediately: becoming nurturing, gentle, supportive and interested in their own attainment

If they are sat with girls of the same ability range they go all stupid and competitive.

If they are sat with higher ability girls then they just go into learned helplessness mode and get the girls to do their work for them.

the best way of getting serious work out of boys in a mixed school is getting them to sit with slightly lower ability girls.

five groups of six is the optimum classroom layout

your own ability to charm, cajole and sometimes even confront, the seating plan is the single most important piece of behavioural modification equipment you have in your toolbox

RULE 2 – SORT YOUR SEATING

you are not in control it’ll all go to cock, the kids will learn nothing and, what is more, they’ll have a deeply unpleasant experience, as they won’t feel at all safe.

it’s your classroom. You are the teacher. If