Hello and welcome to Digging for the why – the podcast for maths teachers of Years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons.

In this episode, Alison and Andy are joined by a special guest, Richard Perring (@LearningMaths). Together they discuss the following:

• Keeping your LinkedIn up-to-date!
• Why should we encourage the use of rich tasks? What do students and teachers gain?
• The power of asking why
• Rich tasks don’t need to last a lesson, just have a thinking question
• Listening to student conversations to guide the teaching
• Is there still a space for coursework?
• Does there need to be a right answer?
• As a teacher, be open to learning 
• Where can you go to read about rich tasks and get some starting points?
• The power of a collaborative planning model

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• Ann Watson & John Mason – Mathematical thinking
• Colin Foster and Tom Francome – Plenary or just ponder?
• Transum – Starter of the day
• Transforming primary mathematics – Mike Askew
• Thinkers – ATM
• Algebradabra
• Mathematical challenges for able pupils

Pssst…If you enjoyed this episode, please help us reach more people by leaving us a review.

Your hosts

Our intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative – check out his Soundcloud.