Practice Perfect 42 Rules for Getting Better at Getting Better

Doug Lemov is the author of the bestselling book, Teach Like a Champion. He was a managing director at Uncommon Schools and now directs their project on effective teaching practices.

Erica Woolway is the chief academic officer for the Taxonomy of Effective Teaching Practices at Uncommon Schools.

Katie Yezzi is the founding principal of Troy Prep Elementary School in New York.

Preface: Why Practice? Why Now? xv

Introduction: The Power of Practice 1

RETHINKING PRACTICE 21

Rule 1 Encode Success 25

Rule 2 Practice the 20 29

Rule 3 Let the Mind Follow the Body 32

Rule 4 Unlock Creativity . . . with Repetition 36

Rule 5 Replace Your Purpose (with an Objective) 40

Rule 6 Practice “Bright Spots” 44

Rule 7 Differentiate Drill from Scrimmage 48

Rule 8 Correct Instead of Critique 52

HOW TO PRACTICE 55

Rule 9 Analyze the Game 58

Rule 10 Isolate the Skill 62

Rule 11 Name It 66

Rule 12 Integrate the Skills 68

Rule 13 Make a Plan 72

Rule 14 Make Each Minute Matter 76

USING MODELING 83

Rule 15 Model and Describe 86

Rule 16 Call Your Shots 87

Rule 17 Make Models Believable 92

Rule 18 Try Supermodeling 95

Rule 19 Insist They “Walk This Way” 96

Rule 20 Model Skinny Parts 99

Rule 21 Model the Path 101

Rule 22 Get Ready for Your Close-up 104

FEEDBACK 107

Rule 23 Practice Using Feedback (Not Just Getting It) 109

Rule 24 Apply First, Then Reflect 114

Rule 25 Shorten the Feedback Loop 117

Rule 26 Use the Power of Positive 121

Rule 27 Limit Yourself 126

Rule 28 Make It an Everyday Thing 128

Rule 29 Describe the Solution (Not the Problem) 130

Rule 30 Lock It In 133

CULTURE OF PRACTICE 139

Rule 31 Normalize Error 143

Rule 32 Break Down the Barriers to Practice 148

Rule 33 Make It Fun to Practice 154

Rule 34 Everybody Does It 159

Rule 35 Leverage Peer-to-Peer Accountability 162

Rule 36 Hire for Practice 165

Rule 37 Praise the Work 169

POST-PRACTICE: MAKING NEW SKILLS STICK 173

Rule 38 Look for the Right Things 176

Rule 39 Coach During the Game (Don’t Teach) 180

Rule 40 Keep Talking 183

Rule 41 Walk the Line (Between Support and Demand) 185

Rule 42 Measure Success 188

CONCLUSION: THE MONDAY MORNING TEST 193

Appendix A: Teaching Techniques from

Teach Like a Champion 205

Appendix B: Sample Practice Activities 229

Notes 241

Acknowledgments 245

About the Authors 249

Summary of Rules 251

Index 255

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