Teach Like a Pirate Part II: Engaging Lessons

Part II of Teach Like A Pirate by Dave Burgess is all about crafting engaging lessons.

One of the quotes that I've heard lately is "Would you want to sit in your own classes?" "Would you buy tickets for your lessons?"

These quotes really make me stop and think about each of the lessons that I'm teaching. Are they engaging enough? Should I add some pizzazz?  Am I interactive enough? Do I let the kids be the leaders while I facilitate the classroom?

I find myself saying that this would be so hard to accomplish day in and day out. I agree with Dave Burgess when he says that if you do have a well-crafted lesson, it would be like going downhill on bike with great tires. I loved his talk about the perfect bbq! You think of your lesson as a well-seasoned, perfect steak that would keep them coming back for more! I do tend to have some cereal days in my classroom.

"Much of your success as an educator has to do with your attitude towards teaching and towards kids. The rest of your success is based on your willingness to relentlessly search for what engages students in the classroom and then having the guts to do it." - Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate. I agree with this quote wholeheartedly! Sometimes it can be overwhelming and intimidating to try some of the lessons that are outside of the box. You worry about the classes behavior and their attitude toward the new ideas and plans. Some kids tend to need structure and don't adapt well to new ideas. As an educator, you need to just work them through the new experience until they can handle it. It is a life experience they need to learn.

Dave Burgess talks about several hooks in this part of his book. My favorite part is the 'What's in it for me?' hooks. I think those work the best for my students. They like to do projects and assignments that pertain to them, that they see the relevance in, that can excite them, and that they have a hand in developing. I had the opportunity to seeing Dave in person and he ABSOLUTELY follows his own advice. He demonstrates each and every one of these hooks all day long.