Doug Lemov's field notes

Reflections on teaching, literacy, coaching, and practice.

11.12.13 Do You Use “Slates” to Check For Understanding? Tell me more (Video)

I’m looking for some tales of Implementation as I write TLAC 2.0.  The topic is what I call “slates.” It’s a small (but mighty) part of Checking for Understanding where students show you objective data on their work in unison in order for you to be able to more simply and quickly assess it. More on…


07.31.13 Thoughts on TLAC 2.0… plus Format Matters 2.0

As many of you know, I’m starting work on a major revision to Teach Like a Champion.  With a little luck it’ll be in stores by June.  The idea is to take the original book and revise it in two ways: 1) Add what my team and I have learned about the existing techniques since original publication. …


04.23.13 Little Tiny Parenting Insights

  Since I’m a parent people often ask me how writing Teach Like a Champion has affected my parenting.  The answer is: immensely.  I’m incredibly grateful to have had the chance to watch master teachers and motivators and inspirers at work for hours and hours and hours so I could try to copy and adapt at…


04.10.13 How Positive Framing and Precise Praise Fit Together

I’m writing from the C-terminal at O’Hare where I’m sitting out a 5-hour delay getting back home to Albany.  Ever get that feeling that for every hour that passes another hour is going to be added to your delay?   Anyway, I’m coming home from Colorado where I had the honor of leading a workshop for a…


04.03.13 TLaC 2.0: Adding Stretch It to No Opt Out (video)

I’m in California this week so have been slow to post and respond to comments…. but the great news (for me) is that I am out here to do a two-day workshop for teachers and leaders at the highly–and justifyably–vaunted Aspire Public Schools. I’m especially excited because I always learn a ton from the smart and reflective…