Tasty Teaching: Appetizing Lesson Ideas with Tony Vincent
Sprinkle something special into every lesson!
Book me for a one, two, or three-day workshop to explore how to combine teaching strategies and free online tools to add flavor to any lesson.
In Tasty Teaching, participants experience parts of a lesson as a student and then dig into how they were created. I share hypnotic hooks, conversation kickstarters, dynamic discussion prompts, creative closures, buzz-worthy brain breaks, and recipes for reflection. These activity ideas are designed to be low prep and easily mixed into any existing lesson at any grade level.
Participants bring a Windows, Mac, or Chromebook computer because they will be actively creating and experimenting with online tools during the workshop. We’ll be cooking up a storm as we concoct irresistible learning experiences for students. Featured tech ingredients include Canva, Google Slides, Google Forms, emojis, Lumio, Flippity, MagicSchool, digital stickers, and more.
Tasty Teaching Objectives:
Understand what makes an effective lesson hook.
Discover ways to communicate content in intriguing ways.
Explore different strategies for connecting to and expanding students' background knowledge.
Select digital templates and modify them to meet the needs of your lessons.
Experience a variety of breaks to help students refocus.
Tasty Teaching works great as a workshop, but the individual components can each make for a great breakout session. Scroll down and complete the form to inquire about booking me.
Tempting Lesson Hooks
The recipe for an appetizing lesson includes hooking students right from the start. Discover a variety of simple ways to make any lesson extra special by focusing on a well-crafted hook. Great hooks connect background knowledge to the topic, build anticipation, and ignite curiosity. Tony shares low-prep hooks, including redacted text, mystery pictures, custom Mad Libs, and other creative ways to add flavor to the first bite of any lesson!
Cooking Up Classroom Conversations
Conversation is crucial for promoting critical thinking, deepening understanding, gaining perspective, and fostering a sense of community. Tony shares flavorful ways to stir up dialogue and discussion about any topic. Experience how teachers can review the content of a YouTube video, use templates that facilitate peer feedback, spin wheels to spice up vocabulary practice, and ignite deep dialogue with slow reveal graphs. The combination of delicious discussion prompts and tech tools will leave you with recipes for successful class discussions.
Digital Snacks: Breaks for Students’ Brains
There are lots of reasons to give students brain breaks. Quick pauses in learning relieve stress, reduce cognitive overload, break up monotony, and strengthen social bonds. Short mental recesses allow students to reboot so they can refocus. Let’s explore strategic intermissions that include interactive websites, satisfying videos, and zippy activities that bring about joy, connection, and curiosity.
Sweet Lesson Closures
Wrapping a up a lesson in a satisfying way can leave a lasting impression. Tony shares quick activities that can be used to check for understanding or emphasize key information at the conclusion of a lesson. Get your hands on grab-and-go exit tickets, question wheels, self-assessment prompts, and reflection templates—all finishing touches teachers can serve as a lesson's dessert . We don't always leave room for desert, but after this presentation, you'll be motivated to end your lessons just as strongly as you started them.
I’ve got plenty more professional learning sessions. Check them out.
If you’re interested in inviting me to your school, organization, conference, or PD event, fill out the form, and we can discuss details. I customize my presentations based on your audience’s needs and your goals.
I’ve been leading professional learning for teachers for 20 years. In fact, I’ve presented at schools and conferences in nearly every U.S. state (and a few other countries).
The content in my workshops is based on my experience as a fifth grade teacher, technology coach, and substitute teacher. I make sure what I present is practical and doable—the last thing I want is to waste a teacher’s valuable time.
My presentations are full of examples that inspire participants to think about their practice in new ways. I take pride in crafting extraordinary experiences. That’s why my workshops burst with interactive activities, eye-catching visuals, engaging music, and dedicated work time. I read the room constantly, adjusting the pace to ensure everyone is learning. And, I can’t help myself—my presentations are peppered with dad jokes.
