Atoms
Break a method into its smallest teachable parts. Teach each part on its own with a short sequence of examples for the board, then put the parts back together.
How atoms work
Each atom teaches one small thing, in three short sequences you click through on the board.
If atoms are new to you, start with one of the routines. Each one breaks a whole method into atoms, in teaching order, then puts it back together.
Three sequences in every atom
Click through them in order on the board.
- 1
Teaching
Present a few examples clearly and concisely. Students watch and listen.
- 2
Testing
All students answer questions on mini-whiteboards. The teacher immediately sees what has made sense.
- 3
Expansion
Can students transfer what they have learned to ideas beyond what you have taught?
Four types of atom
An atom is one small thing a student needs to know or do. The model comes from Kris Boulton. Every atom on this page is labelled with its type.
Categorical
Teaches a yes/no decision, using examples and non-examples that differ in one feature.
Use it when students mix up what counts and what doesn’t.
Is this a trapezium? Does it round up?
Transformation
Teaches one rule for turning a prompt into a response. Students answer on mini-whiteboards.
Use it when one step of a method needs to become quick and accurate.
Substitute x = 3 into 10x − 7.
Fact
Rehearses recall of one rule, formula or fact that students have been told. Four views: Explain shows it all, Frame gives the first half, Reframe gives the second half first, Rehearse shows nothing.
Use it when students need a rule at their fingertips before they can use it.
Recall the rounding rule.
Chain and routine
Puts the atoms back together. A chain joins two or three atoms. A routine runs the whole method, one click per step.
Use it when each atom is secure and it’s time to run the whole method.
Round to one decimal place.
No atoms match
Try fewer words, or a different word for the same thing.
Start here: one method, atomised
Each routine lists every atom of one method in teaching order, then the chain or routine that puts them back together. Teach them top to bottom.
Round to one decimal place
6Five atoms, a chain, then the full routine.
- Cut after the first decimal place
- Does it round up?
- Cut, then decide if it rounds up
- Recall the rounding rule
- Add 0.1 to a decimal
- Round to one decimal place
Find the missing angle on a straight line
4Three atoms, then the full routine.
- Are these angles on a straight line?
- Angles on a straight line add up to 180°
- Write the calculation for angles on a straight line
- Find the missing angle on a straight line
