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Brief Review of "Teach Like a Pirate" - Dave Burgess

7/30/2017

1 Comment

 
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As I read a few books over the Summer Holidays, I shall write a short review here.
This is the first one.

Teach Like a PIRATE by Dave Burgess (@burgessdave)

This was a straightforward read, and at 192 pages it packs a lot of content.

Dave shares his philosophy of increasing student/pupil engagement through developing your personal drive and passion for the content of your 'lectures' (as Dave is a US High School Teacher). He does this through sharing his own personal passion through anecdotes and examples of the work he has done with his students and on his journey of providing CPD for teachers. Dave was Keynote speaker at a Conference very close to me a couple of years ago and I was real annoyed not to be able to attend - after reading his book, that feeling has only increased.

An easy to read book, that provides lots of ideas that are clear and practically applicable to the classroom - with the clear point made that there is no such thing as 'off the shelf' wins, you need to try, refine and experiment with them. The whole model is based on a change to your thinking as a teacher - instead of just delivering, as your self questions that will encourage you to become more creative, and find more and more ways that might change the way you deliver your lessons to your class, with the intent not to just to have the children enjoy, but to have them remember and retain.

There is a lot of treasure to be found within, but the best part are the 'Hooks', the ways in which Dave tries to ramp up the engagement - some are obvious and straightforward and it is great when reading to think "...that, that, I do that!" and then to see other options like the Taboo Hook or the Magic Hook, that perhaps you haven't tried or have tried less often.

The biggest take away for me -  aside from the Safari Hook (Outdoor Learning) - is the series of prompt questions Dave provides to get you thinking and tapping into your passions and creativity, no matter whether or not you see yourself as 'creative'. Do what Tony Robbins describes as think and behave 'as if...' you are and you change your physicality and mentality.

Will it influence what I do?
Yes - lots to think about and develop. 

The sketchnote below shows the Learning Hooks - Thanks to Kelly Hollis (@hobson_k) for sharing at Practical Pedagogies (Toulouse Nov. 2016
Picture
Provided by @hobson_k at Practical Pedagogies (Toulouse 2016)
Up next: 
How to Teach Guided Reading Like BOSS! - Stephen Lockyer (@mrlockyer)

Oops! Helping Children Learn Accidentally. - Hywel Roberts (@HYWEL_ROBERTS)
1 Comment
Dave Burgess link
7/31/2017 01:21:08

Thanks for this review, Mike!! Sorry about the conference...I hope we cross paths if I get a chance to present there again!

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    Mike Watson

    Just thoughts & ideas from me.
    All opinions are my own, except for the ones I borrow - but if it is borrowed, I will tell you.

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