Doug Lemov, an influential educator and author of 'Teach Like a Champion,' dives into the evolution of his teaching philosophies. He explores the pressing importance of reading instruction and the role of vocabulary in shaping educational success. Highlights include a discussion on the disparities in educational equity, especially for underserved communities, and the challenges posed by remote learning. Doug also emphasizes the need for effective classroom management strategies and the significance of fostering a supportive culture in both online and in-person settings.
The genesis of 'Teach Like a Champion' stems from Doug Lemov's experiences as a teacher and principal, addressing teachers' everyday challenges.
The podcast emphasizes the need for diverse educational models in schools to cater to varying parental philosophies and address inequities.
Reading is framed as a foundational skill interlinked with knowledge acquisition, crucial for enhancing student comprehension and learning outcomes.
Deep dives
The Origins of 'Teach Like a Champion'
The idea for 'Teach Like a Champion' originated from the author's experiences as both a teacher and school principal. Initially aiming to build a common management system for a charter school in Boston, he faced numerous challenges that highlighted the lack of practical guidance available for teachers. This led him to realize the urgent need for resources that answer the everyday questions teachers struggle with, ranging from student engagement to behavioral management. By conducting observational studies of successful educators and documenting their techniques, he sought to create a resource that truly reflects effective teaching practices in real classroom settings.
The Importance of Classroom Management
Classroom management is often seen as a primary concern in educational settings, with many teachers feeling inadequately prepared to handle behavioral issues. The podcast highlights that 'Teach Like a Champion' explores various aspects beyond just discipline, emphasizing cognitive engagement and understanding check-ins as essential components of teaching. The effective management of a classroom not only helps maintain order but also fosters an environment where students feel safe and ready to learn. The podcast underscores the irony that despite the limited chapters dedicated to behavior management in the book, it has become a focal point for many readers, reflecting a significant gap in available resources for teachers.
Expanding the Concept of Choice in Education
The discussion emphasizes the need for schools to provide a variety of educational models as a response to differing educational philosophies among parents. By offering choices, schools can cater to different visions of education, allowing parents to select environments that align with their values regarding learning and discipline. This approach, particularly in the context of charter schools, enables communities to address inequities and foster diverse educational opportunities. The podcast illustrates how choice serves not only as a response to educational demands but also as a means for parents to actively engage in their children's education.
Reading: The Gateway to Learning
The podcast emphasizes reading as a foundational skill that unlocks access to other subjects and disciplines. The guests discuss how misconceptions about teaching reading as merely a skill rather than the integration of background knowledge can hinder a child's learning experience. They argue that educators need to focus on building students' knowledge base to improve comprehension rather than relying solely on abstraction, a method that often fails without context. The insight shared highlights the critical need for curricula that interweave knowledge acquisition with reading instruction to ultimately enhance student learning outcomes.
Navigating Equity in Education During COVID-19
The pandemic has intensified existing equity disparities in education, making it crucial for schools to adapt quickly to remote learning environments. The podcast highlights how students from privileged backgrounds may have access to resources that allow them to continue learning effectively, while those in underserved communities face significant barriers. Effective online learning requires intentional strategies to maintain student engagement and provide support during a time when students may feel more isolated. Emphasizing the urgency of addressing these gaps, the discussion urges educators and policymakers to recognize the profound implications of equitable educational practices during these challenging times.
Doug Lemov has been a teacher, a school principal, a researcher, a writer and played many other roles in education in the U.S. He is perhaps best known internationally for his practical teaching guide, Teach Like a Champion (TLAC). In this episode, Doug talks to Greg Ashman about the genesis of TLAC, making content relevant to students, reading instruction and the importance of reading, Charter Schools, the tumultuous state of U.S. education debate and his efforts to help teachers maximise the potential of the remote learning that has been forced on them by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
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