Reason-Ability · the teaching original
Reasonable Teaching
Developing the nine characteristics of exceptional teaching — one focus a week, across the academic year. Run on the 9×4 engine.
The programme runs on the 9×4 — its engine: nine characteristics of exceptional teaching, taken one a week across the academic year. At the centre, the keystone the other eight rest on — Self-Belief. Tap a slice to meet its characteristic; press Play to walk the nine. (The full story of the engine is in the essay The 9×4.)
Self-Belief
The keystone · Week 1
- Week 1
The keystone
Everything starts here. Believe you can make the difference and your students will believe it too — it is the keystone the other eight rest on.
PHILOSOPHY
What you believe
- Week 2
Know why you’re doing it
Teach on purpose. When you’re clear about why this matters, the room feels it — purpose is contagious.
- Week 4
Think big
Hold the highest possible vision for every child. Aim small and you’ll hit small; aim big and even the misses land high.
- Week 6
Take risks
The safe lesson is rarely the memorable one. Dare a little — the best teaching lives just past your comfort zone.
- Week 8
Reward effort
Praise the trying, not just the talent. Effort is the thing they can control, so make it the thing that pays.
ACTION
What you do
- Week 3
High energy
Bring the energy you want back. A class mirrors the front of the room — set the temperature, don’t wait for it.
- Week 5
Tell your story
Facts inform; stories land. Wrap the lesson in something human and it sticks where a bullet point never could.
- Week 7
Do the basics well
Master the ordinary — clear instructions, good questions, fair routines. Done consistently, the basics ARE outstanding teaching.
- Week 9
Get out of the way
The goal isn’t to be needed; it’s to be unnecessary. Set it up well, then step back and let them do the learning.