Doug Lemov's field notes

Reflections on teaching, literacy, coaching, and practice.

03.20.19 Sarah Wright Shows How Joy and Order Go Together

  I’m so happy to share this video.  We watched it recently at TLAC towers and have already started using it in our workshops. It’s of Sarah Wright, who teaches English at Chattanooga Prep in Chattanooga, TN, and one of the many things it reminds me of is something that is somehow counter-intuitive to many people:…


05.23.18 Narrating Positive Behavior: Talking To Students vs Talking About Students

  Recently I visited a school that used a lot of Narrate the Positive. Class would start. At the beginning of class a typical teacher would say, “Please take two minutes to answer question #1 in writing. Go!”  As kids started working the teacher would say something like. “Charles has pencil to paper. Anjulina is getting…


04.27.18 A Perfect Start to the Day in Tamesha McGuire’s Kindergarten

This week I sat down to watch footage of Tamesha McGuire’s Kindergarten at Uncommon’s Kings Elementary in Brooklyn. Now, technically I’m supposed to give Tamesha feedback first before I post anything–she’s a TLAC Fellow and that’s part of the program–but, honestly, I loved this clip so much I couldn’t wait. So with apologies to Tamesha, here’s…


11.28.17 Some Videos To Go With My ‘Podogogy’ Interview

Had a great conversation with Jon Severs recently on TES’ Podogogy podcast and the interview airs tomorrow 11.29. (6am UK time).  Lots of great question with a particular focus on Systems and Routines–for both both academics behaviors. While I haven’t listened to it yet, I am happy to say I remember the interview- sometimes, when your…


09.27.17 Eric Snider Installs His Turn and Talk Routine

I’m not really sure where to start in talking about the clip I’m going to share in this post. It’s pretty amazing. It’s of Eric Snider, who teachers English at Achievement First Bushwick Middle School and who is a TLAC Fellow. It’s important because it shows how Eric installs a routine in his classroom. One of…