S5E08: Doug Lemov on “What to Do” and Active Observation Techniques

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m re-joined by Doug Lemov—author of Teach Like a Champion and The Coach’s Guide to Teaching, and one of the most influential figures in the history of education.

Doug has spent decades studying what the best teachers do differently—turning the art and science of teaching into something that can be named, practiced, and mastered. His work has helped thousands of educators bring more clarity, joy, and rigor to their classrooms.

We talk about Teach Like a Champion—why great teaching is not magic, but the result of deliberate attention to detail, constant rehearsal, and a belief that every student can meet a high standard when instruction is precise and humane.

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From there, Doug unpacks the “What to Do” Cycle—how clear directions, positive framing, and follow-through can transform classroom culture. He explains why effective teaching isn’t so much about charisma, but about techniques and systems that make success predictable for students and teachers alike.

Then we dive into Active Observation – an important reminder that began with a conversation I had with his colleague, Denarius Frazier, discussing how great teachers use tools and protocols to free their working memory, notice what matters most, and respond to student performance in real time. Doug shares insights from about how cognitive load and working memory shape the classroom moment-by-moment.

Finally, we explore the Teach like a Champion guide to the Science of Reading —how older students need the same kind of structured, language-rich instruction we give to younger readers, and how great techniques and evidence that began with early reading fit within whole book teaching.

Looking for great education books?

The podcast you’re listening to is sponsored by John Catt from Hachette Learning and hosted by Dr. Zach Groshell. John Catt publishes some of the best books in education, including my book, Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching.

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