Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile
Ben Katcher

@ben_katcher

Knowledge First. My students achieve extraordinary results. Former Teach Like A Champion Fellow. National Board Certified Teacher. I teach AP US History.

ID: 1546180855923478529

calendar_today10-07-2022 17:14:02

39 Tweet

60 Followers

82 Following

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Doing multiple choice exam corrections with students today. A couple of insights/tips for students... Sometimes the answer choice is a general statement of a specific example we have studied. Need to make the connection. For example....

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

We studied that a cause of Western expansion was "The Homestead Act"... Students need to be able to generalize this and choose "legislation that facilitated distribution of Western land." Will show all students examples to reinforce this idea.

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Teaching the New Deal. Helping students connect to existing schema of "government role in the economy." We'll place the New Deal (as shown on this slide) and then others (conservatives, radicals, etc.) on this same continuum.

Teaching the New Deal. Helping students connect to existing schema of "government role in the economy." We'll place the New Deal (as shown on this slide) and then others (conservatives, radicals, etc.) on this same continuum.
Doug Lemov (@doug_lemov) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Did you know you can apply to be a TLAC Fellow & spend two years studying the craft of teaching with us? And since teachers' time is valuable, we'll even pay you. :) teachlikeachampion.org/blog/applicati…

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Excited to attend Teach Like a Champion workshop today on wait time, means of participation, and lesson preparation. Especially excited to review lesson preparation and think about how it can help me better support teachers.

Doug Lemov (@doug_lemov) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Just dropped a new pod talking w History teacher Ben Katcher abt knowledge organizers. Those + Retrieval Practice caused kids passing AP US exam to increase nearly 5x! He also shares learnings from helping other teachers use KOs as well. open.spotify.com/episode/3UR77E…

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Yesterday: Started class with retrieval practice about culture in US history to review lesson on 1950s mass culture. Today: Reviewed African-American resistance to oppression to activate prior knowledge before civil rights movement

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Robert Caro's description of the Emmet Till lynching and trial in "Master of the Senate" is one of the most powerful texts about American history I have ever read. We spent 30 minutes reading it together as a class.

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Before we study the Cuban Missile Crisis today, we'll do a couple of retrieval practice questions (below) to activate related prior knowledge about US foreign policy and schema we have developed throughout the year (patterns of isolationism vs. internationalism)

Before we study the Cuban Missile Crisis today, we'll do a couple of retrieval practice questions (below) to activate related prior knowledge about US foreign policy and schema we have developed throughout the year (patterns of isolationism vs. internationalism)
Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

It's been about a month since I switched from using chromebooks in my classroom most of the time (90%) to almost never (10%; only for assessments and select assignments). 100% the right call, students and I agree they are more focused & learning more.

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

We just sent out our latest newsletter with six tips for how to begin every lesson with retrieval practice. Sign up for our newsletter at this link! mailchi.mp/142f1feb75aa/k…

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

If you are thinking about how to teach knowledge to students so that it sticks, check out this video, where I outline the seven steps in our Knowledge Building Cycle. The Knowledge Building Cycle youtu.be/EIR0Uxbmn6M?si… via YouTube

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

I just sent out the latest edition of my newsletter. Today's issue is about how to design whole-class retrieval practice. Sign-up! mailchi.mp/142f1feb75aa/k…

Doug Lemov (@doug_lemov) 's Twitter Profile Photo

"Research tells us that most people (including adults!) are not very good at studying. Information becomes better encoded in long-term memory when we are quizzed on it, or when we quiz ourselves on it. With this in mind, partner quizzing has become an important system for

Ben Katcher (@ben_katcher) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Proud to report my students crushed their AP US History exams again! My results are much, much better than other teachers at my school. Why? The knowledge-building cycle. Read more: bit.ly/3TOqkP4 Email me at [email protected] to learn how I can help you.