Weekly Writing #3

The semester has just begun but we have already learned so much! We are beginning to work on developing lesson plans. This has always been a scary task for me but I am excited to learn how to make my lessons the best that they can be. 

Every lesson must have a killer beginning in order to get the students interested, paying attention and motivated to learn. Our reading for this week talked about interest approaches. I think this is going to be challenging because every single day you are going to have to find a way to reel the students in and get them ready. 

Over the summer, I read "Teach Like A Pirate" by Dave Burgess. There was an entire section of this book dedicated to interest approaches! One of my favorites was the real world application. This hook shows students the real-life importance of the lesson, in hopes that this will motivate them to become engaged in the content. I think that this hook can be effective in an agriculture education classroom because the things students are learning can truly be transferred  into real life situations. 

Another hook that I think is incredibly interesting and would be beneficial for students is the Techno Whiz Hook. I think that technology is something that is going to become more and more useful in the classroom. Students are so connected to technology, why not make it a helpful tool in the classroom. One of the super cool tips was using QR codes throughout the classroom. Students can just scan the code to get the information. You could even have them scan the code as they walk into their classroom to get there "Do Now" assignment. 

Also, social media is huge in the lives of students. There are many useful ways to use social media instead of it being a distraction. For example, you can have students tweet questions or fun facts they find about a topic you are studying for extra credit. Also, having a chapter Facebook page can be beneficial to inform not only students, but parents as well. 

Some of the other hooks include: the kinesthetic hook, the safari hook, the Picasso hook, the involved audience hook and the contest hook just to name a few. I definitely recommend "Teach Like a Pirate" for anyone who is interested in teaching. 

Lesson plans are key to a teachers success and one of the most important parts of a lesson is the interest approach. I think it is important to always have an interest approach and also important to mix up the type of hook you are using in the classroom! 

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure"

~ Colin Powell