Aaargh You a Pirate? {Chapters 1-3}

Have you started reading this book yet?

I am absolutely loving Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess.

Sadly, I am behind in linking up with each chapter because I've been running around like crazy.  But, today I am going to link up my thoughts on Chapters 1-3.
I've actually read the entire book already.  I couldn't put it down.  I found myself head-nodding on every single page. If you haven't started reading this book yet {go get it now}, I'd like to share with you why I love the entire book.
#1 This book is written by a current teacher.  Dave Burgess is a high school teacher that is practicing what he is preaching.
#2 The purpose of this book is to provide teachers with tips on how to increase student engagement while boosting their own creativity.  I'm all about finding something that will engage my students.
and
#3 Dave Burgess is practicing what he is preaching.  Oh wait, I said that already.  But, really it's pretty impressive.  He also doesn't claim to know all of the answers and doesn't give off the vibe that everything in is book will work magically in your classroom.  He's realistic and shares tips and ideas that can work as long as the teachers reading the book look within themselves to find the creativity that is there and use it to the benefit of all students.

There are three parts to this book:
Part 1: Teach Like a Pirate
Part 2: Crafting Engaging Lessons
Part 3: Building a Better Pirate

In Part 1, it is broken down the the meaning of each letter of the word "PIRATE"~Passion, Immersion, Rapport, Ask and Analyze, Transformation, Enthusiasm

Today, {since I am late to the party}, I will be sharing my thoughts on Passion, Immersion and Rapport

Chapter 1: Passion

Like I said before, Dave Burgess is realistic.  He says, "Here is the secret:  We are not passionate about everything we teach."  And he's right.  We can't possibly LOVE every single standard that we are required to teach.  There are three components of passion in the classroom: content passion, professional passion and personal passion.  How do we show passion about fractions, for example?  In all reality, how can I possibly be that passionate about any of the math standards?  Simple. I rely on the other two components.  I rely on professional and personal passion.  Why did I become a teacher in the first place?  It certainly wasn't to become rich.  I wanted to foster a love for learning (personal passion).  This past year, it was by fostering a love for learning math.  I never in my wildest imagination thought I would only be teaching math. But, I want to bring that love of learning into my classroom.  It is through my delivery of the standards that my students can become passionate about learning math.  If I make it as fun and exciting as I can, they will be more engaged and enthusiastic about learning math.

Chapter 2: Immersion

Dave Burgess explains immersion with the following analogy:  Are you a lifeguard or a swimmer?  Do you sit on the sidelines in your classroom, or do you jump right in with your students and swim along?  I want to be that second example.  I want to be able to "give myself up to the moment" as he suggestions and be truly present in their learning.  It's simple, really.  In my opinion it is all about being a facilitator to learning rather than just a plain old director.  Again, it goes back to truly fostering a love for learning...the process of learning...and not just the outcome.  I will "be there".  Will you?

Chapter 3: Rapport

How do we build a solid rapport with our students so that they are as committed to their own learning as much as we are committed to "making them learn"?  Simple.  It's all about engagement.  One of the things that I try to do is build a relationship with my students from day one. So, when I read about Dave's Day 1, 2 and 3 lessons, I couldn't have nodded my head more ferociously.  Seriously.  My head about popped off.  Last year, I wrote an article for Really Good Stuff explaining what I do to build rapport with my students starting on day one.  This article sums up my belief that building that rapport is crucial to establishing the type of relationship I want with my students.  Please read the article {here} if interested :)

If you haven't already purchased this book, I highly recommend it. I'll be back with some more of my thoughts on the book later.  Consider linking up with Gina or Jennifer.  If you go to their blogs (click on their names), you will find a list of other bloggers who are reading the book and can read more about their thoughts, too.  

Argh!! :)