Doug Lemov's field notes

Reflections on teaching, literacy, coaching, and practice.

09.20.22 Combining Cold Call and Wait Time- A Video to Go with the Great illustration

My colleague Bradley Busch and his colleagues at Inner Drive recently posted this outstanding illustration of the way combining Cold Call with Wait Time and “timing the name”–that is, not identifying whom you are calling on until after the question is asked and students have had time to think–can boost the amount of student thinking. (Bradley’s…


03.15.22 New training for master teachers: The Keystone Videos Workshop

We’re experimenting with a new kind of video-learning here at TLAC.  Keystone Videos—new in TLAC 3.0–are extended videos (most are about 10 minutes long) intended to show a longer arc of a teacher’s lesson where they use multiple techniques in combination. They are not just longer but more complex and nuanced. Our team developed these keystones…


12.14.21 A Keystone Video: Watching Hasan Clayton Start Class

    One of the key changes in the 3.0 version of TLAC is the inclusion of Keystone Videos – longer more complex videos that illustrate how teachers combine and decide among techniques. We see great value in Keystone videos to support not just better teaching generally but better execution of curriculum—including our own Reading Reconsidered…


09.27.21 Notes on Our Video Collaborative with Pitt Medical School Faculty

Studying video of teaching together is a great way for professionals to improve on their craft. This year TLAC’s Hilary Lewis & Rob Richard have been running video self-study sessions with various schools, including the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. They shared these notes:     A month ago, our team had the pleasure of…


08.09.21 New Video: Jill Murray Models What To Do, Anonymous Individual Correction and Radar

Schools and classrooms are opening across the country in the coming weeks and amidst the uncertainty about masks and the like, there’s the enduring question that takes on double-weight after pandemic disruptions: How do we create vibrant positive and productive classroom cultures that harvest attention and help students succeed? With that in mind I’m happy to…