Doug Lemov's field notes

Reflections on teaching, literacy, coaching, and practice.

03.20.23 Show Calling Exemplars To Build “Writing Culture” w Spencer Davis

Show Call is one of my very favorite teaching techniques and if you’re a reader of this blog you know that Spencer Davis is one of our favorite teachers to study. So what could be better than a video of Spencer modeling Show Call. Context:  Spencer’s sixth graders are reading Wonder. They’ve just read a passage…


02.01.23 Little Things We Loved About Spencer Davis’ Retrieval Practice

Erica Woolway and I had a great visit to University Prep Middle School in the Bronx yesterday. What a warm and positive school with real rigor and a focus on knowledge.  Kids focused, worked hard, took pride in their learning and seemed genuinely happy. One of the classes we especially loved was Spencer Davis’ sixth grade…