Adaptive Teaching – How We Make Learning Accessible for All Children at Coleridge 

At Coleridge, we believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed, no matter their starting point. That’s why our teachers use adaptive teaching—an approach that tailors lessons to meet the needs of all our learners. This doesn’t mean creating separate lessons for each child, but rather adjusting how teaching happens so that everyone can engage, understand, and achieve. 

Our choice of teaching strategies is grounded in educational research and shaped by what we see working in our classrooms. Through regular learning walks, where we observe teaching and learning across the school, we’ve identified the approaches that have the most positive impact on our children’s understanding and progress. These strategies are used consistently across all year groups and subjects, forming the foundation of our teaching approach at Coleridge. 

While these are not the only techniques we use, they represent the core principles that guide our teaching. They help us ensure that every child, regardless of their background or learning style, can access the curriculum and thrive. 

Here’s a look at some of the key strategies you’ll see in our classrooms: 

 1. Clear Learning Goals 

We start each lesson by sharing what the children will be learning, often after an engaging introduction. Teachers refer back to this goal throughout the lesson to keep children on track. 

2. Think, Pair, Share 

To help children develop their ideas, teachers often ask a question and give everyone time to think. Children then discuss their thoughts with a partner or small group before sharing with the class. This approach builds confidence and encourages teamwork. 

3. No Hands Up (Cold Calling) 

To keep everyone engaged, teachers may call on children to share their ideas without asking for raised hands. This means everyone stays involved and ready to contribute. 

4. Teacher Modelling 

When teaching a new skill, teachers show how to do it step by step, thinking out loud as they go. They often use the ‘My turn, Our turn, Your turn’ approach, where children first watch, then join in, and finally try the task independently. 

5. Adapting the Pace 

Teachers adjust the speed of lessons based on how well children are understanding the content. They might spend more time reviewing key points or move ahead if the class is ready. 

6. Rehearsing Key Vocabulary 

Learning new words is easier when they’re spoken aloud. Teachers model the correct pronunciation and ask children to repeat words in fun ways—like using a whisper, a loud voice, or even a silly voice! 

7. Full-Sentence Answers 

To help children remember facts, teachers encourage children to answer in full sentences. For example, instead of saying “Tokyo,” children might say, “The capital city of Japan is Tokyo.” 

8. Focused Questioning 

Teachers avoid asking children to guess answers they haven’t learned yet, as this can lead to confusion. Instead, they ask questions based on what has already been taught. 

9. Ask One, Ask Five 

To strengthen understanding, teachers often ask the same question in different ways. For example, after learning about ancient Mesopotamia, children might hear: 

• “What were the names of the rivers in ancient Sumer?” 
• “What was the name of the land where the Tigris and Euphrates flowed into the sea?” 
• “What was the region we now call Mesopotamia once called?” 

10. Storytelling 

Where possible, teachers use storytelling to bring lessons to life. A well-told story captures children’s attention and helps them remember key facts. 

11. Reasoning with Images 

Teachers often use pictures to deepen understanding. For example, after studying polar climates, children might see different landscapes and discuss why a particular image does or doesn’t show a polar environment. 

By adapting their teaching, Coleridge teachers ensure that every child can engage with and succeed in their learning. If you’d like to know more, please speak with your child’s teacher.