This week on Teaching Matters, Paul Hazzard is joined by Lucy Neuburger and John Gibbs to explore three big questions:🔆Can hope be taught?🔆Should audiobooks become part of the curriculum?🔆And how should climate change be embedded into education? Expect thought-provoking discussion, differing viewpoints, and of course— Banana Time! 1️⃣ Can Hope Be Taught? 🌟In a world where political instability, misinformation and social issues dominate the news, how can teachers instil hope in students?📌 Defining Hope – John describes hope as believing people can be better than they appear, even when faced with negativity.📌 Modelling Positivity – Lucy argues that hope, like empathy, is difficult to explicitly teach but can be demonstrated through classroom discussions & personal examples.📌 A Natural Part of Education – Schools are inherently hopeful places, offering students opportunities for a better future. But says John rigid disciplinary policies and exam-driven learning can undermine this.📌 Honesty vs. Toxic Positivity – Lucy stresses that while it’s important to remain positive, students are smart enough to recognise when things aren’t “sunshine and rainbows.” 🎯 Takeaway: Teachers don’t necessarily teach hope as a subject, but they model it through their actions, attitudes, and belief in students’ potential. 2️⃣ Audiobooks – A Valuable Classroom Tool? 🎧Ministers are being urged to add audiobooks to England’s new schools curriculum. But are they a help or a hindrance?📌 Listening vs. Reading – John rejects the idea that listening to books is a lesser form of reading. Instead, he sees audiobooks as a valuable addition to literacy education.📌 A Gateway to Reading – Lucy believes audiobooks can be a powerful tool, particularly for reluctant readers or those struggling with fluency.📌 Multi-sensory Learning – Teachers can use audiobooks alongside written texts to support comprehension, expression, and punctuation skills.📌 A Tool, Not a Shortcut – While audiobooks shouldn’t replace reading entirely, they offer an alternative way to engage with literature, whether in the classroom or at home.🎯 Takeaway: Audiobooks should be embraced as a resource, not seen as a replacement for traditional reading. 3️⃣ Should Climate Change Be Embedded in the Curriculum? 🌍With young people increasingly concerned about the future of the planet, should sustainability and climate education be given greater emphasis in schools?📌 A Relevant Issue – Students care deeply about climate change, often more than geopolitical conflicts. Schools should reflect this interest in their teaching.📌 Are Teachers Ready? – Lucy highlights that while some teachers (especially in geog and sci) are well-equipped to discuss climate issues, others may not.📌 Cross-Curricular Challenges – John notes that while climate change should be taught across subjects, cross-curricular initiatives often fail due to rigid syllabuses and a lack of coordination.🎯 Takeaway: Climate change education is vital, but schools need proper support and flexibility to teach it effectively. 🔹 Banana Time – Fun & Thought-Provoking Highlights! 🍌🍌 Paul’s Banana – International Women’s Day 🌍Paul highlights the fact that six countries still severely restrict girls' access to learning.🍌 Lucy’s Banana – The Unsung Heroes of Early Years Teaching🍎Lucy gives a well-deserved shoutout to early years and Key Stage 1 teachers, who are often undervalued.🍌 John’s Banana – The Science of Laughter 😂John tells a joke! Yes! It is funny.🎤 Final Thoughts✅ The importance of modelling hope in the classroom.✅ The role of audiobooks in supporting literacy.✅ The challenges of integrating climate change education into the curriculum.Teaching Matters continues to explore the most pressing debates in education—so stay tuned for more engaging discussions next week!📌 Follow & Listen Here:🌍 Education Matters🎧 Spotify📸 Instagram📘 Bluesky🐦 Twitter/X

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