Part 1: Why
a pirate?
"Pirates are daring, adventurous, and willing to set forth into uncharted territories with no guarantee of success. They reject the status quo and refuse to conform to any society that stifles their creativity and independence. ...Pirates don't much care about public perception; they proudly fly their flags in defiance." (Burgess p.xii)
The first section of the book reviews the essential components of becoming a true PIRATE!
P - Passion
I - Immersion
R - Rapport
A - Ask & Analyze
T - Transformation
E - Enthusiasm
"Pirates are daring, adventurous, and willing to set forth into uncharted territories with no guarantee of success. They reject the status quo and refuse to conform to any society that stifles their creativity and independence. ...Pirates don't much care about public perception; they proudly fly their flags in defiance." (Burgess p.xii)
The first section of the book reviews the essential components of becoming a true PIRATE!
P - Passion
I - Immersion
R - Rapport
A - Ask & Analyze
T - Transformation
E - Enthusiasm
DISCUSSION QUESTION #1: Introduce
yourself and share one reason why you decided to join this book study.
Reply to two others:
I am Shaina Gohl and I am teaching at LGS in Lakin this year. I decided to do this book study because A: LGS did it as a book study last year and then passed out materials to everyone this year so I wanted more information and B: then I attended the conference and can't wait to read it for his awesome ideas and incorporate them into my teaching.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the conference like? I heard that it's very engaging and worthwhile - even if you've read the book.
DeleteIt was a great conference. Full of inventive ideas.
DeleteI kind of feel like the cynical 'Downer Debi' here, but I wasn't very impressed with the in-service yesterday. I thought I might be the only one who felt like it was just more of the same motivational speaker/energized teacher kind of stuff that we've all heard and read about a hundred times. But at the teacher lunch table today several of us who didn't sit together were talking about the day with our principal. Not one of our teachers thought it was a "great" inservice. Everyone seemed to have thought it was just mediocre...more of the same like I did.
DeleteDebi,I am with you on this. I wasn't really impressed, in fact his talking gave me headaches. It was like he was on speed, sorry! He is very enthusiastic and had some good ideas, but it is a bit more difficult for elementary teachers to do many of his ideas. He teaches one subject and elementary teachers teach many more.
DeleteI do agree there is many ways we can engage students but I really do not feel we need to continually entertain our students. Life just isn't that way in the real world of careers. Kids are so use to being entertained because of our society, sometimes learning things just need to be learned. Just my opinion.
Debi - I was glad to know that I wasn't the only one that was let down by the presentation. Another teacher and I were discussing that what he said was just him repeating what is in his book almost word for word at times. He caught my attention a couple of times but only held it for a few minutes at the most.
DeleteChris, I agree with your statement that we can engage students but shouldn't always try to entertain the students. In the world of special education, we do a lot of pre- or re-teaching and that isn't always entertaining. We can make it engaging though!
DeleteWow! It is really nice to know that I wasn't the only one who was not impressed by the author's presentation. :) I do plan to keep it real here, even if that means going against popular opinion. My opinion is that yes, we as teachers need to do our level best to engage our students, but we shouldn't be working so hard to entertain them.
DeleteDebi, One thing to keep in perspective is that he probably teaches American History...while our American History teacher also teaches 7th and 8th grade Social Studies. So..... setting up your room as a 1920's speakeasy would be a little more difficult and "give the mystery" away to the younger classes.
DeleteI have never been to one of his presentations. I agree we can't cater to students, but my hope is to find new ways to present lessons. I get bored teaching the same thing over and over every year. I want to be able to shake it up.
DeleteI did not attend the presentation, from what I read prior to registration, I thought it was going to be for elementary levels. But...energy, motivation, and excitement for students and our position transcends all age levels.
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DeleteHi, I will be facilitating the book blog this semester. I have read the book and am excited to hear how special education teachers can "teach like a pirate". The book may really challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and act silly. Have fun and enjoy learning new strategies!
ReplyDeleteHi Michele! Thank you for starting this! I'm excited to see what I can get out of this book and what I can bring to my classroom. Looking forward to our discussions!
DeleteI had to stop and think about who Michele Harris was...I don't think I've ever seen your name written Michele instead of Shelly.
DeleteJerrie
Thanks for being a facilitator ! Im excited to get some new ideas from the book .
DeleteI don't usually answer to Michele either! This is just my gmail account - Ha!
DeleteOh my gosh! How long have you been 'Michele'?!?! Haha! I thought I was losing my mind for a minute trying to figure out who you were, haha!
DeleteMy name is Jessica Lofquist, and I am a gifted facilitator in Holcomb, Deerfield, and Lakin. This is my 5th year in this position. I am doing this book blog because I want to get some new ideas and strategies to use with students.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to getting more ideas and strategies as well. You have never have too many resources at your disposal.
DeleteThe best idea I got from yesterday was the idea of asking yourself all, or at least several of those questions, as you prepare your lessons. Those were definitely some new ideas I can use.
DeleteHi, Jessica..... It will be fun to explore this book together...
DeleteI agree that asking myself those questions was important. There are times we need those reminders.
DeleteHi Jessica , It will be interesting to see the different ways teachers of different levels from gifted to interrelated utilize the book !
DeleteMy name is Courtney Morris (my maiden name is Flook) and I am the Interrelated Teacher for Greeley County High School. This is my fourth year of teaching - second as an Interrelated Teacher. I himmed and hawed over whether or not to join the book study; I had heard much about the text during my first year of teaching, but didn't want to "jump on the bandwagon." After speaking with colleagues (past and present) and digging up more information (see what I did there?) I realized that this was something I really wanted to do. Aside from knowing the content, engaging your students is the best way to promote learning. I've never seen myself as a pirate... so let the search begin!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying Greeley County! I like your play on words and your outlook on the blog!
DeleteThe conference was amazing! He was extremely energetic and entertaining! Sometimes the only way we can "see ourselves" as something is to dress up! Dave even showed pictures of him dressed up as Rosie the Riveter!
DeleteMy name is Kim Simon. This is my first year at HPEC as an Interrealted teacher in Leoti. I have previously taught Kindergarten for seven years. I decied to do this blog because it has been awhile since I have done any type of class or blog. I wanted to get back into the swing of things and what better way than to do a book blog! :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Special education! It will be a different experience. But one full of rewards.
DeleteWe are so glad to have you aboard, Kim! I enjoyed getting to know you some at SpellRead training. :) Hope you enjoy teaching special education students!
DeleteKim, welcome to High Plains. I will tell you the first couple of months are difficult to get a hold of, but when you get the hang of things it is a true blessing to work with these kiddos.
DeleteI agree that it is nice to do professional development when you have been out of the classroom for a while. It is nice to challenge yourself and get some new ideas.
DeleteThis is my first blog and it had been a while since I had any classes that required blogs also.
DeleteHI, my name is Carol King. I teach at Kepley Middle School in Ulysses. I teach 3 pull-out reading classes to the students on my caseload.I have been at Kepley for 17 years and have seen many changes in education. I love to teach but struggle at times trying to keep up with all the changes, especially now days!! I am always looking and trying to find new and exciting ideas for the students in my class. I want my students to love to learn and become life-long learners. I have heard of this book and am very excited about this book study!!
ReplyDelete17 years is a long time. I bet you have tons of lessons that have been changed over the years. That is one thing Dave talked a lot about at his conference yesterday.
DeleteHI, I am Hope Pierson, Interrelated at Moscow K-12. I have been with HPEC for 13 years. I have 3 of my own children.One at K-state, and 2 in High School. I have several pull-out classes through out the day.
ReplyDeleteI chose to do the book study because it sounded like a good book and after attending the conference yesterday, I think it will be an interesting book.
I did not even know about the conference! Looks like Ulysses missed out!
DeleteMy name is Debi Berg and I am the interrelated teacher at South Gray High School in Montezuma. I decided to do the book study this time around for a couple of reasons. The first is that I haven't done one for a while and since I have a little more wiggle room in my schedule this year, I thought this would be a great time to look for way to perk up my lessons. The other reason is that I had heard the book title a couple times and it sounded intriguing. I too attended the conference in Dodge City yesterday, but didn't come away nearly as excited about the book as I hoped I would have been. A colleague who has read the book (and attended yesterday) told me the book is better than yesterday was. That was encouraging, so I will dive in with an open mind and see what comes of it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we have some secondary teachers on this blog. I always find other people's perspectives interesting! I hope it is a good book, too.
DeleteIt's that up and down feeling that I get too from inservices. While I do come across great ideas and strategies that I try with my students that do work great for this kid(s) a few times and we are good to go. Then it my not work on a different set of kis(s) and then I think, ok, time to find a new and different way to get this to work. Kids seem to quickly adjust to teachers strategies so the outcome is not what you were expecting. So I hope that all of us get what we need from all these books. This is my second time in this blog and on my second book and I am getting some great insight.
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ReplyDeleteHello, all! My name is Larrilee Loeppke and this is my 21st year of teaching special education students, my 16th year at HPEC. I teach at Holcomb Elementary. I decided to do the book blog because I love to learn new ways to teach effectively and engage students. Teaching is my passion!
ReplyDeleteIt is actually my 17th year at HPEC. This is what happens when you get old - you lose track of time. You younger teachers will understand some day! I was married the same year I started teaching at Holcomb. It really doesn't seem that long ago!
DeleteIt's funny how after you've been teaching awhile, you kind-of lose track of the years! I usually have to stop and think about it too. I'm with you: teaching is my passion as well! I'm excited to get some new ideas. :)
DeleteHi, I am Chris Albers. I teach 3rd and 4th graders at Lakin Elementary this year. This is my first book blog with High Plains and I am going to be very honest, I can use the money.
ReplyDeleteI am also interested in seeing what everyone thinks about the book and if you went to the conference what you thought?
I have taught special education now my 3rd year, but taught reading for 7 years prior to this and also taught 5th and 6th grade at Charles O. Stones.
Hi Chris! I attended the conference, and I felt that most of his ideas are good, sound teaching practices. However, his energy level was a bit overpowering and distracting.
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI'm Annie and I teach 5th grade special ed. at Sullivan Elementary in Ulysses. I joined out of pure curiosity. I like to read and love to learn. And... Marcy said it was a good book. I guess I trust her :)
I trusted Marcy's judgement also on this one. I usually look at book studies as, oh boy, another bandwagon to jump on. This one sounded intriguing.
DeleteI am Amy Ricker and teach Kinder Prep, K, and 1st in Scott City. I joined this book blog as our district is reading this book and holding discussion on it this semester and it sounded like a fun way to get ideas for transforming my teaching.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing what you have to say since we teach the same levels! It will be nice to get another persons perspective and ideas on how to engage students in learning.
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ReplyDeleteHi, My name is Kim Stevens and I am the Gifted Facilitator for Sublette, Satanta, Copeland, Montezuma and this year Moscow. The book was recommended by Amber and sounded interesting. Excited to get my book and start reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to teachers of all different disciplines in this blog, and hear the different perspectives.
DeleteI am Heather Maseberg. I am the Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. I wanted to be part of this study so I can keep up on trends of general/special education. It's easy for me to stay in the little world of deaf education, but I feel it's important to keep up with the trends of education and see how I can adapt it for the students I work with.
ReplyDeleteThe trends are definitely changing in education....constantly. Glad you are able to keep things fresh and updated with participation in the book blog.
DeleteHi, I'm the Deerfield High School Interrelated teacher. I had heard about Teach Like a Pirate in the past and thought it would be fun and interesting to take part in the book study. I was looking for something new and different because it is too easy to get bogged down in just teaching the curriculum. Also, I am tired of attending in-services but getting no real ideas or tips to use, just vague comments that we, as educators, must motivate our students and keep them engaged. I look forward to reading the book, after attending the conference, and I am interested in everyone's ideas.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is easy to get in a way of teaching that doesn't always reach all children. Teachers get into a comfort zone of teaching and have a hard time adjusting to allow for students who may be a different kind of learner.
DeleteLike you I do feel that our in services seem to run in circles, while there is useful information that we need to teach to the kids, we also need to find or unlock the key to getting motivation, passion and hard work out of these kids for them to have a sense of urgency to prepare for their future. I am looking forward to reading this book. To help me recharge my passion as a teacher, and to help turn on the passion button in these young kids.
DeleteIt was nice to get some practical tips and examples at the conference. One of our teachers in the elementary already tried something new in math class on Friday. I've been brainstorming with my para's. I'm excited to hear others idea.s
DeleteI'm looking for some "real" ideas as and tips as well. Hope we'll find some here.
DeleteThis is my first year as a special education teacher. I am at Hugoton Elem. I decided to do this book blog because I don't have enough things to do already. :) Just kidding. I wanted to participate because I am also interested in new ways of teaching, engaging, getting kids motivated to learn, and helping them become responsible for their own learning experience. I also want to be passionate about what I am doing.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO excited that you are now officially a SpEd teacher. You are going to do great things!!! Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you! :)
DeleteI agree with you on finding new ways to teach. I also wanted to continue to be passionate about what I'm doing. I feel if we are passionate, then it will hopefully rub off on our students.
DeleteI have participated in the book blog every year, it is about the only book I read during the year related to the teaching profession. I encourage you to continue the practice each year, you learn a lot and stay on top of the latest in educational research!
DeleteErica-
DeleteI feel you on the "not enough things to do part"! Maybe you could guess that from the late date of this post, though, haha! Oh well, everything always gets done somehow, right??? ;-)
I am Tyce Yates I am a middle school sped teacher at Deerfield. I decided to join this book study because I find days where I struggle to understand why kids don't take their academics seriously, and it makes me wonder if I am being an effective and impactful teacher for that student that resist the desire to learn. While I know for student that there are given situations and life outside of school that is out of my control my passion to instill a passion for them to be serious about school is a daily struggle for me.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone! I am Krista Groth and I am the Interrelated K-6 teacher at Sublette Elementary. This is my 16th year of teaching...my 11th year in SpEd and my 4th year with HPEC. I decided to join the book blog because I have heard great things about the book. One of the teachers that I work with daily said that it is a great and easy read. She also told me that he writes the book like a teacher and that it is full of good information. I enjoy doing the book blogs because they always seemt to give me new ideas and new ways of looking at things. I'm excited to get started. :)
ReplyDeleteHello, I am Karen Brock and I am the Interrelated 7-12 teacher at Stanton County High School in Johnson,KS. I knew that our school was attending the "Teach Like A Pirate" conference and I thought it would be a good way to share new ideas for teaching.
ReplyDeleteI am an Interrelated teacher for Kindergarten at Hickhok Elementary in Ulysses, KS. I joined the book study for professional development reasons and to learn how to be a better teacher.
ReplyDeleteHello, I am Shelli Burrows and I am the interrelated teacher at Rolla High School. Currently I am responsible for grades K-12 here in Rolla, Kansas.This is my first book blog so once I realized that the universal in service was about " Teach Like a Pirate" I thought this would be a good book to read. The conference just made it easier for me to make up my mind and do it.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm Lois Stafford-Burchell, the school psychologist serving Holcomb and Deerfield. I joined the book study, as I'm always looking for ideas to motivate reluctant students and the replicable elements in teaching that are effective for those students.
ReplyDeleteHello, My name is Cara Geyer and I teach at Kepley Middle School in Ulysses. I wanted to join this book blog because I am always trying to find new and interesting ideas to use with my kids. I thought why not give this a try.
ReplyDeleteCara,
DeleteDo you think you'll set your room up like a pirate next year? I think the idea has interesting possibilities.
I am unsure how to introduce myself...I've been at HPEC longer than most others. I am secondary interrelated at Scott Community High School. I opted to join the book blog because I believe energy and enthusiasm (even if it is faked) impact the way students look at school. Many of the students I get to teach will one day be parents and I want them to have positive memories of their education.
ReplyDeleteJerrie Brooks
I have to get my two cents in on this book topic:) I love, love, love Dave Burgess. I first heard of him on Twitter and follow him @burgessdave as well as #tlap. I attended the conference last week as I wanted to put a face/personality to the name. He was very "out there", but I believe that this presentation style was to exemplify a point. Not to be wild and crazy and entertain kids, but to approach teaching with a creative mindset, to encourage teachers to be excited about teaching again and to reengage students. Students come to school as kindergarteners and preschoolers excited and ready to learn, but by the time they get into middle school many have become disengaged. Student engagement is at an all time low in this country. What we are doing is not working. This is a new generation and we need to change. It is so much more productive for one teacher to change their presentation model than for 20 different kids to conform to the teachers way of teaching. I'll take that challenge!!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Kayla Gollhofer and I teach 1st and 2nd grade special education in Ulysses. I chose to do this book blog after hearing positive feedback on the book from a fellow teacher who read it this summer. I am excited see how this can help me to be more effective in engaging students and getting students excited about learning.
ReplyDeleteAnything real that reaches children I'm all for. Shelly asked me to give this book a read and I'm glad she did!
ReplyDeleteHello! My name is Jamie Whittley. I am the School Psychologist for Syracuse and Tribune. This is my second year of employment at HPEC. I came across the book blog by accident. I share a mailbox with another HPEC staff and the book was placed in my mailbox. I picked it up for my co-worker and started reading it. I made it a third of the way through the book when a SPED teacher came to my office. I began telling her about the book I was reading. She informed me that there is a book blog going on regarding that book and that I should sign up. I then contacted Marcy and asked to sign up.
ReplyDeleteHi, I am Sheila Koop. I am teaching interrelated K-6 at Stanton County Elementary. Somehow I did not get the memo with the link for the blog so I am way behind all of you on getting on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI decided to do the blog since I was not able to attend the conference that the author was at in Dodge City. I also felt it would be a good way for me to connect or reconnect with others in the same field of education as myself. Besides all of that, I like to blog!
I am Linda Englert. I teach at Syracuse Elementary School in Syracuse and teach grades KP - 2nd grade. I'm like Sheila because I also didn't get the link for the blog. I read most of the book before I got the link. I've had some tech problems, so I'm late in the game here.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to do the blog because I've never done a blog
and I thought the name of the book sounded exciting!
Hey everyone! Nothing like arriving at the party fashionably late, right??? My name’s Brittney Thayer, and I’m the school psychologist for Montezuma, Copeland, Sublette, and Satanta. Often times, I feel like the book blogs are more applicable to teachers than school psychs (As they should be! We’re completely outnumbered, haha!), but I try to participate in them whenever they’re available so I can be a good resource for the other educational staff I work with. I’m hoping to get a lot of good ideas from this book (And from everyone participating in the blog!) to pass along to others.
ReplyDelete