Looking at a new class through the learning behaviours lens

At the start of the new year I moved school to become Lead Practitioner for Maths at an 11 – 18 secondary school. As always, moving school means meeting lots of new people, learning new policies and routines and not least establishing myself with new classes. As with all schools, there are similarities and differences of approach but my main aim has to be to try to instil a good set of learning behaviours in my new students.

Learning behaviours can be defined as the behaviours necessary for effective learning in a classroom setting. These of course include all of the usual expectations of listening and not being disruptive, but there are also other aspects which are important. The EEF puts these into three broad categories:

Emotional:
– Names emotions and expresses them with increasingly accurate vocabulary
– Manages impulses of personal behaviour
– Shows pride in successes

Social:
– Focuses on learning in class and can articulate this
– Attentive to directions, listening to the teacher
– Shows empathy and appreciates diversity