This article was written by Femi Adeniran. You can hear more from Femi on the popular podcast, Beyond Good, available via all major streaming platforms.
The modelling phases of a lesson are my favourite. We can talk endlessly about retrieving previous knowledge through quizzing, no hands-up policies, and think-pair-share strategies, but ultimately, the success of a lesson hinges on how well we explain new concepts. On the Beyond Good podcast, we often discuss the joy of watching an expert in their craft. Whether it’s a tennis player hitting a drop shot or a plumber effortlessly fixing a leaking sink, there’s a certain magic in observing mastery at work. The same magic applies to teaching when an educator can transform something complex into something easily understood through well-sequenced explanations.
Effective teachers have known this for generations. As I often remind people, teaching is one of the oldest trades. When we model, our goal is to help students start thinking the way we think. We’re the experts (comparatively), and we understand that novices and students think differently.
In my view, the best explanations start from a place of safety. This means meeting students where they are, rather than overwhelming them from the start. Too often, I’ve seen students switch off during the first sentences of an explanation because the teacher failed to connect with their current understanding. Think about when you’ve sought advice from YouTube for a DIY problem. Everyone knows the frustration of starting a video and being bombarded with unexplained terminology right from the start.
Our modelling should begin with what students already know and move them clearly and logically to new concepts. Assume no prior knowledge and explain domain-specific terms carefully. Better yet, integrate these explanations seamlessly into your model. While PowerPoint has its place, we mustn’t rely solely on clicking through slides. Demonstrating the process live can be far more effective. When pupils see you doing the work live, they subconsciously realise that it’s possible. This goes a long way.
Be the boss in your classroom. Model live and turn novices into experts, one explanation at a time.
Femi Adeniran
Megapedagogy 
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