Achieving Mastery through Explicit Instruction

Explicit instruction is a systematic, structured method for teaching academic skills. It is ‘explicit’ because it uses an unambiguous and direct approach to teaching, including holistically applying instructional design and delivery procedures to teach content and skills. Its general structure is often the teaching of rules followed by examples. 

Lesson structure 

Each Writing lesson is divided into three sections: ‘I do’, ‘We do’ and ‘You do’. Each exercise is twenty minutes long. In the ‘I do’ section, the teacher explicitly and directly teaches content or skills aligned to the objectives of the lesson. In the ‘We do’ section, the teacher works with the students to develop these skills. In the ‘You do’ section, the students work independently.  

Throughout the year, the sentence construction gradually increases in complexity as students develop their skills and confidence in using the English language. 

Lesson presentation 

Lessons are delivered using a PowerPoint presentation for F-6. Extra resources needed are listed in the Instruction Guide. Lessons are designed for a high level of student engagement. To support teachers, suggestions and examples are included for teacher reference in the notes section of the presentation. 

Vocabulary development occurs in the ‘Write’ and ‘Improve’ exercises.  

Lesson delivery

Each week, one Writing lesson will be delivered as three separate exercises on three individual days. For example, a teacher may schedule the Writing Lesson to be held every other day: