The Visualiser Handbook: How to Use Live Modelling to Build Expertise

The Visualiser Handbook explores how live modelling can be used to break down the barrier between the expert and the student by inviting them to take part in the teacher’s thinking process and learn how to do it themselves.

With practical support and examples for all stages of planning and delivering lessons, this guide takes you through how to share your disciplinary expertise with your students via thought narration and structured routines. It shows how you can model thinking, reading and writing tasks in a way that moves students onto increasing levels of independence, builds their metacognitive skills and helps them to feel successful and in control of their own thinking as they approach their work. Chapters cover:

• Preparing the classroom and the resources to live model effectively
• Building the conditions – attention and routines
• The ‘I do, we do, you do’ approach
• Feedback and reflection
• Inclusion and live modelling

Designed for busy teachers and leaders, whether experienced in live modelling or completely new to it, this book is based on evidence and outstanding teaching practice to strengthen your confidence in using this valuable teaching approach.

Chris Webb-Cook is Head of English and Whole School Literacy lead at Ipswich Academy.