What Doug Lemov Says About Relevance in Teach Like a Champion

​In Teach Like a Champion 3.0, Doug Lemov emphasizes the importance of relevance in teaching by focusing on student attention, motivation, and the establishment of meaningful classroom norms. While the book does not have a section explicitly titled "Relevance," several principles and techniques underscore its significance.

1. Relevance through Student Attention (Principle 3: “What Students Attend to Is What They Will Learn About”)

Lemov stresses that students learn what they focus on—so teachers must make learning worthy of attention. Relevance is built by designing lessons that are engaging, purposeful, and clearly connected to what students value.

Quote:

“What students attend to is what they will learn about.”
– Doug Lemov, Teach Like a Champion 3.0, p. 19​

Explanation:
Lemov emphasizes that directing students' attention is crucial because their learning is directly tied to what they focus on.​

Classroom Example:
A teacher introduces a new math concept by connecting it to real-life scenarios, such as budgeting for a school event, to capture students' interest and make the lesson more engaging.

2. Relevance through Classroom Culture (Principle 4: “Motivation Is Social”)

Lemov explains that student motivation is heavily influenced by classroom norms. When the culture values effort, curiosity, and academic challenge, students are more likely to find personal and social relevance in their work.

Quote:

“Motivation is social.”
– Doug Lemov, Teach Like a Champion 3.0, p. 23

Explanation:
Lemov discusses how students' motivation is influenced by their peers and the classroom culture. Establishing norms that value learning can enhance motivation.​

Classroom Example:
A teacher creates a classroom culture where students celebrate each other's successes, such as sharing effective study strategies, fostering a supportive learning environment.​

3. Technique 19: Without Apology

This technique encourages teachers to avoid suggesting that academic content is dull or not applicable to students' lives. By confidently presenting material as valuable, teachers model that everything students are learning is relevant and meaningful.

Quote:

“The idea of 'boring content' is a myth. There are ways for teachers to make learning the most mundane, uninteresting task(s) seem of the utmost importance.”
– Doug Lemov, Teach Like a Champion 3.0, p. 181​

Explanation:
This technique advises teachers to present all content confidently and enthusiastically, avoiding any suggestion that the material is uninteresting.​

Classroom Example:
When introducing early American poetry, a teacher highlights its historical significance and literary beauty, encouraging students to explore its themes and language without preemptively labeling it as difficult or dull.​

4. Technique 63: Joy Factor

By infusing joy—through humor, games, celebration, or teacher enthusiasm—teachers create emotional relevance. Students are more likely to remember content that feels enjoyable and positive.

Quote:

“Finding joy in the work of learning is a key driver not just of a happy classroom, but a high achieving one as well.”
– Doug Lemov, Teach Like a Champion 3.0, p. 497​

Explanation:
Joy Factor involves incorporating elements like humor, games, or rituals to make learning more engaging and enjoyable, thereby enhancing student motivation and connection to the material.​

Classroom Example:
A teacher starts each day with a short, content-related song or chant that reinforces key concepts, creating a fun and memorable learning experience that students look forward to.