Teach+Like+A+Champion+!

Teach Like A Champion is a book by Doug Lemov. It provides 49 tips/techniques to help students be better prepared for life long learning and a path to college. I will attempt to offer 2 techniques per week, condensed and posted on this wiki page.


 * 1. No Opt Out** - In a high performing classroom all students learn. A sequence that begins with a student unable to answer the teacher's question should end with the student answering the question as often as possible. i.e. telling the teacher "I don't know" is not an opt out. The teacher should ask another student for the answer and once answered should then ask the first student to answer the question once the teacher has repeated the question. Thus the first student must always answer the question. Once the student knows they will be required to answer the question regardless of how they get it, they know they will not get off the hook thus they will be engaged in the class.

you were looking for. Teachers often due so because of a lack of time. However, if you really want to help the student learn they need to answer fully. It increases their power of thinking things through all the way. In Romeo and Juliet, the Capulets and Montagues in response to a question about how the families got along the student may say " they don't like each other" and yet not mention the fact that they had been feuding for generations. Asking for a complete answer again a better learning response than only taking a partial answer.
 * 2**. **Right is Right** - Set and defend a high state of correctness in your classroom. Asking a question, we often say right when the question is only partially what

Avoid one answer questions and "stretch it' into a check for understanding by using a variety of questions...don't forget to provide feedback !!
 * 3. Stretch It -** The sequence of learning does not end with a right answer; reward right answers with follow-up questions that extend knowledge and test for reliabiltiy. This technique is especially imprtant for differentiating instruction. This technique allows for feedback to the teacher checking for understanding i.e. continue the dialogue with your students to ask : How or Why? Ask for another way to answer; Ask for a variety of responses; ask the students to integrate a related skill; ask students to apply the same skill in a different setting.

Student: 100 b.c. Teacher: Complete sentence please Student: Julius Ceasar was born in 100 b.c.
 * 4. Format Matters** - Grammatical format that is! Yes, you should correct slang, syntax, usage, and grammar. Every teacher and Every subject all the time. Writing skills will improve dramatically and so will grades, gpa's, and ACT scores. Teach them that complete sentences help complete thier thoughts. Correct them in your oral responses as well... i.e. Teacher : What was the year of Ceasr's birth?