The Guardian in Britain recently asked five teachers to try out some of the strategies outlined in the currently hot teaching book on this side of the Atlantic: Doug Lemov’s Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on a Path to College. It’s an interesting read: The teachers generally appreciate Lemov’s tips, but also describe the overall instructional style he espouses as “autocratic,” “teacher-centered,” “aggressive,” and “back-to-basics a little bit.”
“After reading this book, my perception is that British teaching is ahead of the game,” says one of the teachers.
“Kids don’t want to be taught by monsters,” adds another.
So are we turning in to monsters? Maybe we have to, to some extent?
(Hat Tip: Accomplished Teacher.)
Update 5/13: Cody adds his thoughts (pro and con) on the Teach Like a Champion phenomenon here at home.