Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire To Publications / Articles - Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire

Posted 6/21/19

Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire by Rafe Esquith

Replace fear with trust
When teaching or parenting, you must always try to see things from the child's point of view and never use fear as a shortcut for education. We should never become frustrated when a student doesn't understand something. Our positive and patient response to questions builds an immediate and lasting trust that transcends fear.

Children Depend on Us, So Be Dependable
Being constantly dependable is the best way to build up trust.

Discipline Must Be Logical
Children do not mind a tough teacher, but they despise an unfair one.

You Are a Role Model
If you become angry over little things, the big issues are never even addressed.

Developing a culture where children are well-behaved for the right reasons (Level VI)
Level I—I don't want to get in trouble.
Level II—I want a reward. Children need to know that proper behavior is expected, not rewarded.
Level III—I want to please somebody.
Level IV—I follow the rules.
Level V—I am considerate of other people (empathy).
Level VI—I have a personal code of behavior and I follow it (the Atticus Finch Level). This is the hardest to attain and teach because it resides in the soul of individuals. Help children identify high personal codes in others (books, films).

Methods to Enhance a Child's Development

1. Reading for Life—should be one of our top priorities. Reading objectives should be joy, passion, excitement. If a child is going to grow into a truly special adult—someone who thinks, considers others points of view, has an open mind, and possesses the ability to discuss great ideas with other people—a love of reading is an essential foundation. Young people who read for pleasure are able to make connections with the world around them and eventually grow to understand themselves on levels they never thought possible. We must measure a child's reading ability by the amount of laughter exhaled and tears shed as the written word is devoured.
2. Writing—Weekly essay, monthly book report
3. Math—We want our children to understand the power of numbers, to appreciate that mathematics is both relevant to their lives and fun.
4. Testing—How a student studies is more important than how much they study. A test is like a thermometer, a measuring device. If a student does poorly on a multiplication test, it means one thing only: He does not understand the skill yet, and I will be happy to show him again. Never compare one student's test score to another's Always measure a child's progress against her past performance. Life's most important questions are never asked on a test. No one asks them questions regarding character, honesty, morality, or generosity of spirit.
5. History & Geography—Teach about why we celebrate holidays. Utilize worldatlas.com for geography. Use films to supplement lessons. http://www.eparks.com/store/product/22515/Passport-To-Your-National-Parks%C2%AE/.
6. Science—To learn science, kids need to put down their books and pick up their equipment. They need to observe, experiment, record, and analyze. Above all, they need to fail and learn from their failures. Real failure only happens when students top trying to solve a problem.
7. Arts—When a child plays in an orchestra, he is not only learning to play the violin, he is also learning about discipline, responsibility, sacrifice, practice, correcting mistakes, listening, and time management. Our children should be performers, even if they aren't perfect.
8. P.E.--Rafe's goals for his class: Daily exercise. Learn importance of proper fundamentals. Exhibit outstanding sportsmanship at all times. Learn value of teamwork. Apply lessons learned from sports in other area of their lives. When teammates make mistakes, they need our support, not our derision. Keeping statistics helps with math skills.
9. Economics—A child who knows how to organize and balance his time is more likely to find happiness by doing things he enjoys. Learning to save money, balance a checkbook, and plan for future expenses takes organization. To help young people become remarkable, we need to challenge them with lessons they will use for the rest of their lives.
10. Problem Solving—The purpose of teaching problem solving should be to develop the process of thinking and analyzing. By working in groups to come up with answers, they do more than solve the problem. Ideas are shared. Friendships are formed. The kids learn to listen to one another. They also learn to disagree without becoming disagreeable.
11. Movies—Great movies can help children build character, learn about the impact of good and bad decisions, and be inspired to stand up for their beliefs in difficult situations.
12. Road Trips—Provide an opportunity for young people to engage with the wider world and to discover the best in themselves. If the itinerary is too crowded, the students actually learn less instead of more. Make every activity relevant and meaningful.
13. Music—All his students learn to play an instrument or sing.
14. Service—Involve them in projects that help other people.
15. Shakespeare Play