Explicit Instruction Sprint - Step 1: Laying the foundations

Laying the foundations

If we want to see real improvements in science classrooms, we need to move beyond one-off workshops and surface-level PL. Stile Academy offers something different: an embedded approach to professional learning that fits into the everyday rhythm of teaching.

The Explicit Instruction sprint competition is designed to support you and your team to begin your Stile Academy journey with a shared focus on Explicit Instruction.

This article walks you through how to prepare for the sprint before you introduce it to your team.

Explore the Explicit Instruction module

Log into Stile and visit the Professional Learning Hub. Click the "Stile Academy" tab.

If you've never visited Stile Academy before, you'll need to click "Enrol now" to get started. Then, click into the Introduction to Stile Academy module and watch the video to learn how Stile Academy works and the value it offers your team.

Take a look at the Explicit Instruction module so you know what you'll be working on with your team. Some points to consider include: 

• What are the key features you want to highlight when you introduce it to your wider staff?
• How does this align with your school’s current priorities or challenges?

Define your goals

Set 2–3 clear departmental goals for the sprint. Are you aiming to strengthen modelling? Support new teachers? Build strategies to check for understanding? Aligning these goals with broader school priorities builds credibility and relevance.

Think about:

• What are the top three goals you want to achieve through this Stile Academy sprint on Explicit Instruction?
• What are your school-wide priorities?

Your rollout model

For the sprint competition, we recommend a faculty-wide rollout model.

A structured rollout might look like:

• Everyone working on Explicit Instruction
• 30 minutes a week
• 5 weeks
• Embedded in PLCs, meetings or coaching cycles

Define success and how you’ll measure it

Define what success will look like for your team. This could include:

• 100% module completion across your department
• At least one teaching strategy shared in each department meeting
• Evidence of impact captured through reflection or observation

You might consider:

• What does meaningful success look like for this sprint?
• How will we know if Stile Academy is making an impact on teaching practice or student learning?
• What indicators (quantitative or qualitative) can we track to show progress over time?

What's next?

Check out Step 2: Launch your sprint, where we’ll share strategies to boost uptake and enthusiasm!