Teach Like a Pirate; Setting the Stage

I usually don't put notes in the margins of books but I had a college profession tell me once, "A book is never truly read until you've inked it up a bit." Teach Like a Pirate is definitely one of the books I have "inked up" quite a bit already.

• Price: $20.31
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
• ISBN-10: 0988217600
• ISBN-13: 978-0988217607

Pages 1-32

This is the first half the Part 1:Teach like a Pirate. I was going to review it section by section but there is so much good information already that I needed to break it down a little more.

Subsection 1: Passion

He begins by talking about your passions for teaching and breaking them down into three different categories:

• Content Passion- What you love to teach about? (Sociology, culture, specific time periods) 
• Professional Passion- What specifically about the field are you passionate about? (student achievement, making learning relate-able, answering the students' question, "How can I succeed?)
• Personal Passion - What are you passionate about other than teaching? (Football, music, science fiction)

Burgess goes on to say that the key to being a passionate teacher is to use all three together. For example, if you love football, use it to your advantage when teaching about a content you are less than passionate about.

Subsection 2: Immersion

This section is simple; if you are not completely invested in your students for the 45 or 90 minutes that you have them, they know. He put it this way; are you a lifeguard or a swimmer? A lifeguard is outside of the action looking in and always detached to some degree. The swimmer is completely in the middle of the water and in the center of whatever is going on. Burgess says always be a swimmer.

Subsection 3: Rapport

This is so far the most useful part of the book; though I am only 30 pages in. According to Burgess, the only way to have a successful school year is to have a successful beginning. Every teacher knows this simple fact; students need clear expectations. Burgess proposes a three day program focused simply on setting the stage.

• Day One: Be intriguing. He gives each student Play-Doh and after going over the short, sweet, to the point rules, allows them time to shape their Play-Doh into something that showcases who they are. This can be anything school appropriate and when completed they will introduce themselves and explain what they have crafted and why. This is also the time to encourage students to get to know each other as well (further fostering a safe environment). 
• Day Two: As dramatically and enthusiastically as possible, introduce some sort of creative problem-solving group activity. This does two things, has students engage with one another right off the bat which further builds on the safety dynamic and gives you a chance to showcase the proper group procedures. 
• Day Three: Still no content, only setting the stage. He writes this section so elegantly that you must read it for yourself but, the heart of day three is; sales, sales, sales. Sell them on the fact that they can succeed, that all learning styles are valued and no one can fail if they simply try.