The Teachers' Podcast

It’s time to talk about all things homework in the first of our two-part discussion!
In this first episode, Chris and Emma focus on the research behind homework
– what is the impact, how much should be set and how often should it be set?
With a discussion about the history of homework along the way, including how
the Labour government and the Victorian attitude to homework impact on modern
approaches, there’s a lot to get your teeth into!

This week’s teacher tip is a lovely plenary idea that will promote oracy and positivity
in your classroom!
Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk
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This week, Emma and Chris tackle how to arrange tables in your classroom! They
discuss the pros and cons of the three most common ways of organising tables,
such as impact on pupil focus, how social interaction can be affected and how
navigating around the classroom is a key consideration. With anecdotes, personal
recollections and experiences along the way, this will give you food for thought for
how your seating is set out in your classroom!

This week’s teacher tip will help shave time off each book that you mark, helping
your work-life balance!

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk

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In the final part of our three-episode deep dive into orthography, morphology and
etymology as part of the writing framework, Chris and Emma talk all about excellent
etymology! With an explanation of what this is, suggestions for how to teach it within
your classroom and quick-win games on using etymology to impact spelling, this
episode will help you understand what etymology is and how you can immediately
start threading it into your teaching.
This week’s teacher tip is an easy one to help your class community too. Hit
download and enjoy!
Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk
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In the second part of our three-episode deep dive into orthography, morphology and etymology as part of the writing framework, Chris and Emma talk all about the marvellous world of morphology! Full of information about how to teach morphology
both explicitly and implicitly, strategies for embedding it within your classroom and the linguistic theory behind it, this episode is sure to help you tackle morphemes to bolster your teaching of spelling.
With a teacher tip linked to your personal wellbeing, there is lots to discover in this episode so get downloading!

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk

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Chris and Emma kick off a three‑part series exploring the building blocks of spelling, starting with orthography—how children learn what “looks right” in written English.
Chris shares the roots of his love for language, why English spelling is so complex and how phonics, pattern‑spotting and automaticity shape confident writers.
They unpack spelling across EYFS to KS2, touch on Ofsted’s expectations and offer practical ways teachers can support children without overwhelming them.
Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.