Mr. Lange's Accelerators of Learning

 From Journal of Nov 1, 2014.

Mr. Lange's 10 "Accelerators of Learning"

1. If a taks isn't challening -- at least a little bit --if kids arent' stretching themselves, they'll be bored.
2. Students need to hear - every day - that this is a challenging task - and that you know that they can do it; and at the end of class need to hear that they've worked hard and impressed you.  
3. I do it - we do it - you do it:  modelling is essential
4. Everyone does everything important. What's the key question for your lesson?  Don't be satisfied if 2 kids riase their hand and respond.
5. Do live discussions.  They're more engaging than prepared discussions.  Instead of HW questions kids prepare for, post a Q, do a write-pair-share, lead a student discussion; post a 2nd Q.
6. Pairs are better than groups in most cases. Planned pairs are better than random pairs.
7. Pairs are heterogenous: put the "lower" student in the position to sound smart ot the whole class; if student paris are writing, put the pen in the "lower" students' hand.
8. Don't accept "half right" - demand full answers
9. Personal connections matter.  "The Beth Bannon" (speak to each kid is some way of every class)