A new approach to learning is being rolled out in the Northern Territories government schools to boost literacy and numeracy. The model, called explicit teaching, involves breaking down reading and maths concepts into manageable steps to help students build an understanding and independence. Now fourteen point two million dollars has been committed by the Northern Territory Government in the budget to roll it out. And joining me in the studio is the Deputy Chief Executive for Early Years and School Services, Adarren Chatterton. Good morning to you. Good morning Katie, A yeah, really good. Lovely to have you in the studio and thank you for coming in to have a chat with us. Now, can you explain to me, to all of the other parents, to everybody out there listening this morning, what does explicit teaching mean and how does it work?

A new approach to learning is being rolled out in the Northern Territories government schools to boost literacy and numeracy. The model, called explicit teaching, involves breaking down reading and maths concepts into manageable steps to help students build an understanding and independence. Now fourteen point two million dollars has been committed by the Northern Territory Government in the budget to roll it out. And joining me in the studio is the Deputy Chief Executive for Early Years and School Services, Adarren Chatterton. Good morning to you. Good morning Katie, A yeah, really good. Lovely to have you in the studio and thank you for coming in to have a chat with us. Now, can you explain to me, to all of the other parents, to everybody out there listening this morning, what does explicit teaching mean and how does it work?

Thanks Katie. Explicit teaching is the approach that we're taking in our commitment to getting back to the basics, like you said, and so what it means is that the way in which we are engaging with students delivering information and ensuring that it's broken down in really manageable chunks, and so it gives the students more opportunity to connect with the learning and then build on it at the pace that they need to be doing it.

Thanks Katie. Explicit teaching is the approach that we're taking in our commitment to getting back to the basics, like you said, and so what it means is that the way in which we are engaging with students delivering information and ensuring that it's broken down in really manageable chunks, and so it gives the students more opportunity to connect with the learning and then build on it at the pace that they need to be doing it.

Does it make it different for teachers when they're you know, like when they're teaching in this way, what's it like?

Does it make it different for teachers when they're you know, like when they're teaching in this way, what's it like?

Yeah, it's actually we've seen explicit teaching already happening across the Northern Territory And just yesterday we were down at Catherine South Primary School Meddie Barlow, very experienced teacher, you know, inspired and passionate teachers, and what you see is the teacher modeling we talk about I so the teacher really if we were looking at a small word sounding it out to the students modeling it and then the students doing it with the teacher together. And then for those students who are ready, they do it more independently. And so what you see when you walk into classrooms with explicit teaching happening is a great energy because you've got students really engaged. They're coming in at the learning where they're at, and so students are feeling successful, teachers are feeling successful and that engagement is high.

Yeah, it's actually we've seen explicit teaching already happening across the Northern Territory And just yesterday we were down at Catherine South Primary School Meddie Barlow, very experienced teacher, you know, inspired and passionate teachers, and what you see is the teacher modeling we talk about I so the teacher really if we were looking at a small word sounding it out to the students modeling it and then the students doing it with the teacher together. And then for those students who are ready, they do it more independently. And so what you see when you walk into classrooms with explicit teaching happening is a great energy because you've got students really engaged. They're coming in at the learning where they're at, and so students are feeling successful, teachers are feeling successful and that engagement is high.

Because that's a really important aspect, isn't it. Like kids if they're not feeling like they're understanding stuff. They can become quite disengaged quite quickly and start to feel a bit down on themselves if they feel like they're not getting a certain concept or they're not understanding something. So is this you know, does this kind of this way of teaching sort of help to bring everybody in.

Because that's a really important aspect, isn't it. Like kids if they're not feeling like they're understanding stuff. They can become quite disengaged quite quickly and start to feel a bit down on themselves if they feel like they're not getting a certain concept or they're not understanding something. So is this you know, does this kind of this way of teaching sort of help to bring everybody in.

Absolutely, I think the power of this way of teaching, it's built on the research. It says to us, this is how young people learn best, and so we need to be really intentional and there's a whole suite of resources that we've developed to support our teachers with this work that actually says these are the skills that need to be taught, this is the sequence in which to teach it. So it's really important. We're very committed to supporting our teachers in the great work that they do, and so the guides and the documents that supports them, because when they know the pathway they're taking their students through, the students feel more success. Yeah.

Absolutely, I think the power of this way of teaching, it's built on the research. It says to us, this is how young people learn best, and so we need to be really intentional and there's a whole suite of resources that we've developed to support our teachers with this work that actually says these are the skills that need to be taught, this is the sequence in which to teach it. So it's really important. We're very committed to supporting our teachers in the great work that they do, and so the guides and the documents that supports them, because when they know the pathway they're taking their students through, the students feel more success. Yeah.

As a parent, would people, you know, do you think that parents might notice some differences in the way in which, you know, like homework coming home or you know, the way in which their children are learning.

As a parent, would people, you know, do you think that parents might notice some differences in the way in which, you know, like homework coming home or you know, the way in which their children are learning.

Most definitely, and as you know, we're spending the next six months doing some really important work to support our teachers and our principles and our staff with learning about this new way of teaching. I say new, but we've already got educators doing it. But as part of that, we've actually got a website that has information for families and parents, and so we've started off with some really important fact sheets with some ideas of what families can be doing through everyday activities to help their children build their confidence, and we're meeted to continuing to update that information tips on what kind of questions could you be asking your teacher, there's even your child's teacher if you're worried, if you've got a concern, And so we know the important role that parents play and the importance of our partnership with them.

Most definitely, and as you know, we're spending the next six months doing some really important work to support our teachers and our principles and our staff with learning about this new way of teaching. I say new, but we've already got educators doing it. But as part of that, we've actually got a website that has information for families and parents, and so we've started off with some really important fact sheets with some ideas of what families can be doing through everyday activities to help their children build their confidence, and we're meeted to continuing to update that information tips on what kind of questions could you be asking your teacher, there's even your child's teacher if you're worried, if you've got a concern, And so we know the important role that parents play and the importance of our partnership with them.

And in terms of teachers, then, like you said, you've already got some educators that are doing this in schools. But in terms of teachers having the supports that they need or you know, I guess using this new method, will it be much of a you know, will it be quite a noticeable change for them? Will it be a difficult change or do you feel as though it will be something that they can do quite easily.

And in terms of teachers, then, like you said, you've already got some educators that are doing this in schools. But in terms of teachers having the supports that they need or you know, I guess using this new method, will it be much of a you know, will it be quite a noticeable change for them? Will it be a difficult change or do you feel as though it will be something that they can do quite easily.

I feel it will be something that they can do easily. And you know, the teachers that are already championing this way are very inspired about it, and they will be an important part of us telling their story as well. But also we're going to be walking alongside our teachers. There's professional learning available that helps them see what this looks like. We will be featuring the great work of our territory schools and showcasing that as well the resources that we've got available to support them.

I feel it will be something that they can do easily. And you know, the teachers that are already championing this way are very inspired about it, and they will be an important part of us telling their story as well. But also we're going to be walking alongside our teachers. There's professional learning available that helps them see what this looks like. We will be featuring the great work of our territory schools and showcasing that as well the resources that we've got available to support them.

And in terms of why the change was needed, because I suppose some people might be listening this morning and parents might be thinking to themselves, Oh, my kids, you know, seem to have gotten through their early years and done it all. Okay, why is the change needed? And is it something that's rolling out in other states or other locations around the world.

And in terms of why the change was needed, because I suppose some people might be listening this morning and parents might be thinking to themselves, Oh, my kids, you know, seem to have gotten through their early years and done it all. Okay, why is the change needed? And is it something that's rolling out in other states or other locations around the world.

Oh, it's most well. First of all, why the change is we are committed to continually improving outcomes for territory students in every government school in the Northern Territory, and so this plan ensures that those great things that are happening happen for every student in the Northern territory. And so to your question, is this something we're seeing nationally. Absolutely, and it's underpinned by the science that said this is what works best for young people in their learning.

Oh, it's most well. First of all, why the change is we are committed to continually improving outcomes for territory students in every government school in the Northern Territory, and so this plan ensures that those great things that are happening happen for every student in the Northern territory. And so to your question, is this something we're seeing nationally. Absolutely, and it's underpinned by the science that said this is what works best for young people in their learning.

So how like in a real practical scenes, how does it roll out? Is it something that now we just sort of start teaching kids, you know, when they step into transition, or is it something that you start doing, you know, whether a child's in grade four or how does it work?

So how like in a real practical scenes, how does it roll out? Is it something that now we just sort of start teaching kids, you know, when they step into transition, or is it something that you start doing, you know, whether a child's in grade four or how does it work?

Yeah, a great question, Katie. It's all of the material, the professional learning, the resources actually supports teaching from transition to year ten and this approach it's a way of teaching. So while our plan is about literacy and inmacy, it's the way you can teach science, it's the way you can teach history. It's about how you present the information to the young people. And so absolutely it's starting in transition, but we you know year nine students, those teachers will have support materials because it's all framed through the Australian curriculum. It's all absolutely what we need to be teaching and there's support for how we teach it in this way.

Yeah, a great question, Katie. It's all of the material, the professional learning, the resources actually supports teaching from transition to year ten and this approach it's a way of teaching. So while our plan is about literacy and inmacy, it's the way you can teach science, it's the way you can teach history. It's about how you present the information to the young people. And so absolutely it's starting in transition, but we you know year nine students, those teachers will have support materials because it's all framed through the Australian curriculum. It's all absolutely what we need to be teaching and there's support for how we teach it in this way.

And have teachers largely at this stage been fairly receptive to the change being implemented. From your feedback, yeah.

And have teachers largely at this stage been fairly receptive to the change being implemented. From your feedback, yeah.

Most certainly. And we've had teachers involved in the development giving us feedback. We've already had some schools trialing the material. We're hearing stories of it administrating, reducing the administrative burden for them, supporting them in that important work, and freeing them up to do that magic they do every day in a classroom, right, the relationship thing.

Most certainly. And we've had teachers involved in the development giving us feedback. We've already had some schools trialing the material. We're hearing stories of it administrating, reducing the administrative burden for them, supporting them in that important work, and freeing them up to do that magic they do every day in a classroom, right, the relationship thing.

Yeah, And that's something that I suppose I've noticed over the years, even like when my kids were in those younger grades. Is is you think it does seem as though teachers and education, you know, people working in education more generally, a lot of that admin stuff and a lot of the you know, the behind the scenes stuff is almost you know, not drowning them, but making it a bit more difficult for them to actually, you know, have that magic in the classroom because teachers, like I just think it is it can be sometimes such an underrated profession and these people are literally mentoring and are helping us raise our kids, and they do a phenomenal job at it. So I just think any way that they can be supported or assisted to be able to do that better is surely a.

Yeah, And that's something that I suppose I've noticed over the years, even like when my kids were in those younger grades. Is is you think it does seem as though teachers and education, you know, people working in education more generally, a lot of that admin stuff and a lot of the you know, the behind the scenes stuff is almost you know, not drowning them, but making it a bit more difficult for them to actually, you know, have that magic in the classroom because teachers, like I just think it is it can be sometimes such an underrated profession and these people are literally mentoring and are helping us raise our kids, and they do a phenomenal job at it. So I just think any way that they can be supported or assisted to be able to do that better is surely a.

Good thing, absolutely, Katie. And you know, way back as a former teacher and a principle, I know the importance of our department delivering a plan that as evidence based so it will benefit the students. But built within it is the support for our educators to make it come alive and I think that's what I'm most proud of with the piece of work that we've done here.

Good thing, absolutely, Katie. And you know, way back as a former teacher and a principle, I know the importance of our department delivering a plan that as evidence based so it will benefit the students. But built within it is the support for our educators to make it come alive and I think that's what I'm most proud of with the piece of work that we've done here.

Good stuff well Adarren Chatterton, the Deputy Chief Executive for Early Years and School Services, thank you very much for joining me in the studio this morning.

Good stuff well Adarren Chatterton, the Deputy Chief Executive for Early Years and School Services, thank you very much for joining me in the studio this morning.

Thank you, Katie, thank you

Thank you, Katie, thank you