Mastering the Big Five: Skill-Building Exercises to Enhance Your Classroom
I’m a huge fan of Doug Lemov's Teach Like a Champion, when it came out; I was so excited to implement some of these strategies in my classroom to my prospective teachers who are college students. This is now a mandatory first step in ensuring your all classroom are able to have access to the curriculum. This popular book is known for truly working with educators, particularly those who are looking to improve their teaching skills. There are 49 techniques that teachers can use to improve their classroom management, student engagement, and overall teaching effectiveness. These techniques can be grouped into five categories, known as the "Big Five" strategies. In this blog, we will explore three of the five of these strategies and provide skill-building exercises for each.
Setting High Academic Expectations is the first one. This involves creating an environment where students feel motivated to learn and are challenged to achieve their full potential. Here are some exercises to help teachers build this skill:
Start the year off by setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for each student. These goals should be challenging but achievable and should be revisited and revised throughout the year.
Use the "Cold Call" technique to ensure that every student is engaged and on task. This involves randomly calling on students to answer questions, even if they haven't raised their hand. This helps to keep students focused and motivated to participate.
Use the "No Opt Out" technique to ensure that every student is accountable for their learning. This involves not allowing students to say "I don't know" as an answer, but instead, encouraging them to try again or asking their peers for help.
Use the "Stretch It" technique to challenge students to think critically and deeply about the content. This involves pushing students to go beyond surface-level understanding by asking them to explain their thinking or apply their knowledge to new situations.
The second strategy involves creating a supportive and caring classroom environment where students feel safe and valued. Here are some exercises to help teachers build this skill:
Start each class with a greeting and a check-in to help students feel connected and supported. This can be as simple as asking students how they're doing or sharing a positive quote or story.
Use the "Positive Framing" technique to create a positive classroom culture. This involves reframing negative behavior in a positive light by focusing on what the student did well or what they could do better next time.
Use the "Do Now" technique to give students a sense of autonomy and choice. This involves giving students a task to complete at the beginning of class that allows them to choose their own level of challenge or topic of interest.
Use the "Exit Ticket" technique to gather feedback from students and show that their opinions and perspectives are valued. This involves asking students to reflect on what they learned or what they still have questions about at the end of class.
The third strategy involves designing lessons that are engaging, clear, and well-structured. Here are some exercises to help teachers build this skill:
Use the "Begin with the End" technique to design lessons that have a clear learning objective. This involves starting with the desired outcome and working backward to create activities and assessments that support that goal.
Use the "Ratio" technique to balance teacher talk and student talk. This involves aiming for a ratio of at least 3:1, where students are doing the majority of the talking and the teacher is facilitating and guiding the discussion.
Use the "Check for Understanding" technique to ensure that all students are on the same page. This involves periodically stopping to ask questions or have students summarize what they've learned.
Use the "Name the Steps" technique to break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This involves clearly explaining each step of a task or activity, and providing students with opportunities to practice each step before putting them together.
As an enthusiastic follower of Doug Lemov's Teach Like a Champion, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to incorporate his strategies into my own classroom and teach them to aspiring teachers in college. This popular book contains 49 strategies that teachers can implement to enhance classroom management, student engagement, and overall teaching effectiveness. These techniques can be categorized into five distinct areas, referred to as the "Big Five" strategies. I hope you will get as much out of it as I have when it comes to working with a new generation of students.
General, teach like a Champion. Teach Like a Champion. (2021, August 3). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://teachlikeachampion.com/
The tap system for teacher and student advancement. NIET. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.niet.org/our-work/our-services/show/the-tap-system-for-teacher-and-student-advancement
Theune, D. (2019, August 14). Five strategies for developing empathy (opinion). Education Week. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-five-strategies-for-developing-empathy/2019/07