Teach Like a Pirate - Chapter One

     If I wasn't still working, attempting to begin a workout routine, cooking supper, participating in 3 book studies, and driving the "sports" taxi around, I could read the entire book tonight!

    Teach Like a Pirate, by Dave Burgess, promises to help you increase student engagement, boost your creativity, and transform your life as an educator.   Part I of the book is called Teach Like a Pirate.  It is broken down into six chapters - one for each letter of the word Pirate.  Chapter 1 is for P - Passion.

•   Content Passion 

•  What part of your curriculum are you passionate about?
•  What part do you most enjoy teaching? 

 I love teaching students how to read!  I could teach reading all day long.   I love reading to my children throughout the day, meeting with them in small groups, and watching them grow into readers!  It is almost magical.

•     Professional Passion
• What are you passionate about in your profession?
• What drives you?

I always knew I wanted to work with children or animals.  When I entered college, I thought I was going to be a child psychologist.  That is, until... I walked into a second grade classroom and had the opportunity to work with students.  I was hooked!  I immediately knew what I was going to do with my life!  I am in it for the kids - and for me!  Selfishly, I love the hugs, sweet notes, and sometimes mistakenly being called, "Mom." 

•  Personal Passion
•  What are you passionate about outside of the classroom?
•  Can you bring that passion into the classroom every now and then?

I am passionate about my family and scrapbooking.  My students know my children and husband by name.  I use them in classroom writings and "life lessons" all the time.  They even come to visit every now and again, especially my husband.

I also incorporate scrapbooking into my classroom when I can.  Most often we use photographs and journaling to capture special events in our classroom.  I have had students create a scrapbook page as an end of year project and craft Mother's Day presents.  These lessons are fun for them and fun for me!  I get to share another passion of mine.

Be an educator with passion!  If you are, you will become contagious!  It is a drug!