Episode 229:
For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the Hey! What You Reading For newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449
In this instalment of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I welcome Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb back to the podcast to explore scaffolding in reading, writing and oracy. Drawing on insights from their forthcoming book The Scaffolding Effect: Supporting All Students to Succeed (Routledge, July 2025) Routledge, the conversation unpicks how purposeful, time-limited support can elevate both oracy and literacy. We delve into:
why structured talk is the gateway to high-quality writing
practical routines that fade, rather than fossilise, support
aligning scaffolds with cognitive load theory and adaptive teaching
avoiding common misconceptions such as over-prompts and dependency traps
actionable takeaways that busy teachers can try on Monday morning
Whether you are refining sentence-level work or nurturing whole-class dialogue, this episode offers a research-informed blueprint for helping every pupil find their voice on the page and in the room.