I wrote previously about how Mad Money’s Jim Cramer has inspired my teaching in the way he uses explicit language objectives, realia, and a showman’s flair.
Turns out other educators have found inspiration in unlikely places. Speaker Sue writes about how a performance of the Blue Man Crew is an example of powerful presentation that can be used in the classroom.  You might want to read the whole article but highlights include starting with a bang, slowing things down, and doing something unique.
Elona had commented that it’s hard to emulate Jim Cramer when not every teacher is a standup comic. However, every teacher can modulate pacing, intonation, and include visuals which draw students’ attention. Every teacher can find something unique to include in their lessons. Elona, for example, uses herself and her own stories as a way of motivating students to share their own.
Matthew,
Thanks for the link to speaker Sue. She mentions that she attended a performance where at the beginning of the performance the audience was asked to make a head band out of paper and no one balked. That gave me an idea for a lesson on listening skills. At the beginning of the class, I could get the students to make a huge ear to use to listen with. That would be fun even for the grade 12 students. hey, maybe I’ll get to be a stand up comic yet. There seems to be hope. 🙂 I might use the ear when I do review with my math class. I’ll let you know what happens- maybe even take a couple of photos.