Teach Like A Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students On The Path To College

1. Teach Like A Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students On The Path To College http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1CMvuFLfxc

2. Setting High Academic Standards • Technique 1: No Opt Out – A sequence that begins with a student unable to answer should end as often as possible with that student answering. (Clip 1) • Technique 2: Right Is Right– Set and defend a high standard of correctness in your classroom. (Clips 2 & 3) • Technique 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 reliability. (Clip 4) • Technique 4: Format Matters– Require complete sentences and proficient grammar every chance you get. (Clip 5) • Technique 5: Without Apology– Do not voice apologies that predetermine failure.

3. Planning that Ensures Academic Achievement • Technique 6: Begins with the End– Progress from unit objectives to lesson objectives, knowing how you will assess and with what activities, and always make a full circle in your lesson. • Technique 7: 4Ms– A great lesson objective should be manageable, measurable, made first, and most important on the path to college. • Technique 8: Post It– Objectives should be visible. • Technique 9: Shortest Path – If there is more than one path to achieve an objective, choose the simplest explanation or strategy. • Technique 10: Double Plan – Plan for what the teacher and the student will be doing each step of the way. • Technique 11: Draw the Map– Make space planning a part of lesson planning.

4. Structuring and Delivering Your Lessons • Technique 12: The Hook– Use a short, engaging introduction to excite students into learning. • Technique 13: Name the Steps – Identify steps and make them memorable. • Technique 14: Board=Paper – Model for students how to track information they need to retain and ensure they have an exact copy of what they need. • Technique 15: Circulate – Move around the classroom to engage and hold students accountable. (Clip 6) • Technique 16: Break It Down – Break a problematic idea down into component parts when students lack a clear understanding.

5. Structuring and Delivering Your Lessons • Technique 17: Ratio – Seek student input to solve problems by asking questions and forcing cognitive work out of students when they are ready. • Technique 18: Check for Understanding – Gather data and respond quickly. • Technique 19: At Bats – Provide lots of practice. • Technique 20: Exit Ticket – Measure the effectiveness of your lesson with a single question. • Technique 21: Take a Stand – Have students make judgments and then defend or explain their answers.

6. Engaging Students In Your Lesson • Technique 22: Cold Call – Call on students regardless of whether they have their hand up or not. (Clips 7, 8, & 9) • Technique 23: Call and Response – Teacher asks a question and students respond in unison or choral response. • Technique 24: Pepper – A fast-paced, unpredictable review of fundamentals with lots of chances of participation in rapid succession and could be used as a warm-up activity. (Clip 10)

7. Engaging Students In Your Lesson • Technique 25: Wait Time – A strategic delay after asking a question before seeking the answer. (Clip 11) • Technique 26: Everybody Writes – Set your students up for rigorous engagement by giving them the opportunity to reflect first in writing before discussing. (Clip 12) • Technique 27: Vegas – A moment during class when you might observe some production values: music, lights, rhythm, dancing while still reinforcing the day’s learning objectives.

8. Creating a Strong Classroom Culture • Technique 28: Entry Routine – Make a habit out of what efficient, productive and scholarly after a greeting and as students take their seats and class begins. • Technique 29: Do Now – A short activity that you have written on the board or is waiting at their desks. • Technique 30: Tight Transitions – Having quick and routine transitions which students can execute without extensive narration from the teacher. (Clip 13) • Technique 31: Binder Control – Having a required format for organizing papers within a binder.

9. Creating a Strong Classroom Culture • Technique 32: SLANT – Sit up, Listen, Ask/Answer a question, Nod your head, Track the speaker • Technique 33: On Your Mark – Show students how to be prepared and expect them to be so everyday. • Technique 34: Seat Signals – Develop a set of signals for common needs. • Technique 35: Props – Public praise for students who demonstrate excellence or exemplify virtues.

10. Setting and Maintaining High Behavioral Expectations • Technique 36: 100 Percent – Full compliance of highest behavioral expectations (Clips 14, 15, & 16) • Technique 37: What to Do – Give directions to students in a way that provides clear, easy and useful guidance • Technique 38: Strong Voice – Economy of Language, Do Not Talk Over, Do Not Engage, Square Up/Stand Still, Quiet Power (Clip 17) • Technique 39: Do It Again – Practice helps students improve and it is often the best consequence. (Clip 18)

11. Setting and Maintaining High Behavioral Expectations • Technique 40: Sweat the Details – Plan your environment so it seems an orderly and organized place at all times. • Technique 41: Threshold – Set expectations from the minute students enter the door to the minute they exit. • Technique 42: No Warnings – Develop a scaled system of incrementally larger consequences that you can deliver reliably, fairly, and without hesitation.

12. Building Character & Trust • Technique 43: Positive Framing – Make corrections consistently and positively. (Clip 19) • Technique 44: Precise Praise – Do not trivialize praise. Make it specific and genuine. • Technique 45: Warm/Strict – You must be caring, funny, warm, concerned, and nurturing as well as strict, relentless and sometimes inflexible. • Technique 46: The J-Factor – Finding joy in the work of learning. (Clips 20 & 21)

13. Building Character & Trust • Technique 47: Emotional Constancy – Take personal emotions out of a situation and remain calm. • Technique 48: Explain Everything – Make clear the rationale behind decisions made in students’ best interest and the way adults think on behalf of students. • Technique 49: Normalize Error – Getting it wrong and then getting it right is one of the fundamental processes for schooling. Respond to both as completely normal.