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Denis Sheeran
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Instant Relevance: Using Today's Experiences to Teach Tomorrow's Lessons Kindle Edition

by Denis Sheeran (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 71 ratings
Students don’t need teachers for information. Virtual courseware, online tutors, and comprehensive textbooks, make individualized, self-paced learning easier than ever. Students have free access to information 24/7. So what can teachers offer students that massive open online courses (MOOCS) and online tutorials can’t? Relevance.

Students need teachers to help them make sense of information. Every day, students in schools around the world ask the question, “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” In Instant Relevance, author and keynote speaker Denis Sheeran equips you to create engaging lessons from experiences and events that matter to your students, not just in preparation for real-world application. Your students will begin to see meaningful connections between the real word and what they learn in the classroom—because that’s when learning sticks. Here are just a few things you’ll learn from Denis Sheeran in Instant Relevance:
*Why sharing personal experiences can make lasting content connections for students
*How asking questions can lead to relevant learning experiences
*Where detours from routine can take your class
*How to find unique learning opportunities in everyday circumstances
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  1. Print length
    102 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 7, 2016
  4. File size
    7.8 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Denis' blend of practical application, expertise and humor make this book like few I have ever read. He will teach you how to sneak learning into lessons using regular everyday moments. The cool part is that your students will not even see it coming, but in the end they will be asking for more.Jon Harper, Assistant Principal, blogger, and host of Bam Radio show My BadHoly cow this book is good! Every single teacher should read this. Denis is FUNNY. This book is an easy read, relevant, and will transform your teaching.Alice Keeler, Author of 50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom

After reading Denis Sheeran's "Instant Relevance: Using Today's Experiences to Teach Tomorrow's Lessons", I have begun to think differently. I now look at the day-to-day as a teaching opportunity instead of just passing it by.Jay Billy, Principal, Slackwood Elementary School, Lawrenceville NJDenis Sheeran provides readers with pedagogically sound insight on what math instruction should look like in the year 2016. The countless real world examples shared in the book provide readers with a plethora of learning experiences that can be implemented immediately. Readers own professional growth will be elevated from reading Instant Relevance and ultimately impact the success of students.Brad Currie, Billy Krakower, and Scott Rocco: Founding Partners of Evolving Educators LLC

Denis has truly captured the art of relevant teaching through the lens of the student and passion driven classroom. His anecdotes and examples are timely, witty, and relevant to all cohorts of educators. Whether you are student teacher or days away from retirement, 'Instant Relevance' serves as an invigorating guide for individualizing teaching to create a cohesive and collaborative classroom environment. Dani Kennis, High School Special Education Social Studies Teacher and Technology Coach

Do you want what your students learn to resonate with them beyond just the time they spend in class with you? Do you want to bring authenticity into your classroom that gives your content context and meaning? Instant Relevance offers strategies that allow students to make meaningful connections between your curriculum and the real world.Laura Fleming, Author of Worlds of Making: Best Practices for Establishing a Makerspace for Your SchoolThe teachable moments that are the most memorable often aren't pulled from textbooks or old teaching materials. They're found in our everyday lives -- from TV, social media and pop culture. They're the things we -- and our students -- bump into every day. Denis Sheeran provides key guidance on making the most of these experiences to engage and equip students. When we aren't focused on being relevant to our students' lives, we become less and less valuable to them. This book provides practical ideas you an use in class tomorrow to bring instant relevance to your teaching.Matt Miller, Google Certified Innovator, World Renowned Speaker, and Author of Ditch That Textbook

Practical. Essential. Humorous. What else do you need? Instant Relevance encapsulates the two most important aspects of teaching that make a classroom successful: relationships among teachers and students as well as making connections to the real world.Sylwia Denko, Third Grade TeacherIn education, engagement is the key to relevance. And Denis Sheeran's Instant Relevance is packed full of classroom-tested strategies for engaging students in powerful and meaningful ways.Michael Fenton, Teacher; Lead Instructional Designer, Desmos

About the Author

Denis Sheeran ​is an engaging, fun, highly requested nationwide speaker, who delivers keynotes, full­ day workshops, and small ­group professional development courses to teachers and administrators. He is a Google Certified Educator and has a master's degree in educational leadership and a bachelor's degree in mathematics education with a minor in music. Before becoming the supervisor of mathematics for K-12 students in Chatham, New Jersey, Denis taught high school math, from Algebra to Advanced Placement, for thirteen years at Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01JYJNJEG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. (August 7, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 7, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 102 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 71 ratings

About the author

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Denis Sheeran

Denis Sheeran

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Denis Sheeran ​is an engaging, fun, highly requested nationwide speaker, who delivers keynotes, full­ day workshops, and small ­group professional development courses to teachers and administrators. He has a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D), an M.Ed in educational leadership and a B.A. in Mathematics Education with a minor in music. He currently serves on the Mathematics Faculty of Montclair State University as Clinical Specialist.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
71 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's ideas relevant and easy to adapt to any subject area. They describe it as a quick, enjoyable read with humor that makes them laugh out loud. The book provides simple instructions for teachers that meet their students where they are.

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RelevanceReadabilityHumorEase of instruction
20 customers mention "Relevance"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book relevant. They appreciate the concept of using everyday life to teach students. The ideas in the book are easy to adapt to any subject area, especially math. Readers say it's a great addition to a teacher education class syllabus and a treasure trove of practical and hilarious examples that motivate students. The book reminds them of ways to teach their students and provides springboards for creating new learning experiences.

"...about making learning relevant to students, and Denis does a great job of reminding us of ways to teach our content in the context of everyday life...." Read more

"...The key idea is that good teaching makes learning relevant to students' lives. We need more of the outside world brought into classrooms...." Read more

"...It's not a bunch of tricks either, it's changing how we approach learning and understanding that it's not a bunch of worksheets and fill in the..." Read more

"...He is AMAZING. The book however, not so much. He's got great ideas but I guess I was looking for more guidance...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They describe it as a quick, helpful read with an easy-going writing style. The author's humor and humor make for an enjoyable reading experience.

"Instant Relevance is well...relevant. Extremely relevant and fun to read...." Read more

"...This book was just what I needed. The author's humor and easy going writing style make for an enjoyable read...." Read more

"Good instruction involves meeting the students where they are. We have to travel to "their world" if we truly want to make an impact...." Read more

"A quick and fast read that is full of great ideas for both new and experienced teachers. Denis shares plenty of his own classroom ready activities...." Read more

6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous and inspiring. They laugh out loud while reading it and appreciate the practical and humorous ideas for motivating themselves.

"...I also greatly appreciate the fact that Denis' wit and humor are evident in the book and he is a very active and approachable author...." Read more

"...This book was just what I needed. The author's humor and easy going writing style make for an enjoyable read...." Read more

"...I found myself consistently inspired and even laughing out loud while I was reading!..." Read more

"...Instant Relevance is filled with fun and humor...." Read more

3 customers mention "Ease of instruction"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's instructions easy to understand. They say it has many examples and is fun to read. The book focuses on teaching students where they are at.

"...I highly recommend this as a quick, easy, informative book for all math and science teachers!" Read more

"Good instruction involves meeting the students where they are. We have to travel to "their world" if we truly want to make an impact...." Read more

"Awesome for teachers. Do now! Uncomplicated, many examples, fun to read. My copy is all dog-eared already!..." Read more

Relevance Matters!
5 out of 5 stars
Relevance Matters!
The first thing that struck me about this book was Denis' use of Thinking Questions at the end of every chapter to guide the reader through the learning. As we know, questions open the door to the future and are more powerful than answers in that they demand engagement. I couldn't help but be engaged as I read this book. As a believer in the fact that context and relevance matters, this book hits the mark.Denis shows you how he brings his life into the classroom. Whether we like it or not, our students want to get to know us - and why not? Or, why would we not want to form that relationship? As Denis said, "We have no choice but to make learning more relevant to our students, or they will learn without us." If you want to make school work relevant and learn along with your students, you need to read this book.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • S. Knight
    5.0 out of 5 stars Meet kids where they are, and teach them for the present, not the future!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I was introduced to this book by a co-worker, and I have since shared it with many people in and outside my district. I even used it to do a book study on two of the campuses that I cover. The concept of the book is using everyday life to teach our students instead of teaching them content they will need to know "in the future". I have always been passionate about making learning relevant to students, and Denis does a great job of reminding us of ways to teach our content in the context of everyday life. Math is one of the hardest subjects for students to relate to their everyday lives, and therefore they are often frustrated with why they need to know this. I chose this book because Denis is a "math" person and helped bridge some of the gaps on ways to see math in the world and ways to use the world to teach our kids math. I love that there are not just math examples, but the encouragement of a mindset shift to using the world around us as the platform to teach our content. The encouragement to allow for curiosity and questioning is great, and the idea of capitalizing on trends and fads that our students become obsessed with was helpful. I also greatly appreciate the fact that Denis' wit and humor are evident in the book and he is a very active and approachable author. He is quick to respond and interact via social media and conducts Twitter chats to continue building a community around the Instant Relevance concept. I look forward to more fun reads by Sheeran in the future.
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  • David Geurin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Connect Your Lessons to What Your Students Care About
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Instant Relevance is well...relevant. Extremely relevant and fun to read. The key idea is that good teaching makes learning relevant to students' lives. We need more of the outside world brought into classrooms. Sheeran shares many practical ideas on how to do this. But I think the ideas are just insight into the type of thinking he uses to find ideas for his lessons in everyday life. This same type of thinking can used by teachers in all subjects at all grade levels. Are you connecting your lessons to what your students care about? Would you like to? If this is important to you, and it should be, then this book is for you. It's a quick read but a very helpful, enjoyable read.
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  • KEG9181
    5.0 out of 5 stars Relevant for ALL Content Areas!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I was skeptical initially as I know Denis is a math supervisor, so I stayed away despite the cover looking like something I could definitely use in a history course. All I can say is I'm happy I didn't wait too long into the new school year to begin reading! Yes, he teaches math, but Instant Relevance is not about math - it's about how to bring a student's "world" and OUR "world" into the classroom - to make learning relevant. It's not a bunch of tricks either, it's changing how we approach learning and understanding that it's not a bunch of worksheets and fill in the blank questions, but real world application of material that we, as teachers, hope will stick with the students. Denis's examples are sticking w/ me and making me thinking how I can continue to use my own experiences with my students. As a former swim coach, I relate a lot of my work to coaching - and it's great to see that this book supports what I do!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jamie Mascher
    3.0 out of 5 stars Wouldn't recommend
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book because I attended a workshop where the author Denis Sheeran presented. He is AMAZING. The book however, not so much. He's got great ideas but I guess I was looking for more guidance. The book is just sharing his experience relating real-world scenarios to incorporate in his classroom and trying to convince you to do the same. I think any good educator tries to bring in the real world experience its just coming up with idea on how to do so especially at the upper level. I don't think it helped me any - but he's great and I'd definitely love to attend another workshop given by him
    One person found this helpful
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  • Erica Castillo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    As an educator, I am constantly looking for ideas to improve my practice. This book was just what I needed. The author's humor and easy going writing style make for an enjoyable read. His examples of real life math get your mind clicking to all of the examples around us each and every day. I now have a ton of ideas on how to bring my personal life to my students in order to engage them! I highly recommend this as a quick, easy, informative book for all math and science teachers!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Practical, hands-on, and based in REAL classrooms!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2016
    Denis' passion and expertise come through brilliantly as he gives example after example of how he inspires learning in his classroom. Instant Relevance is a clear and compelling handbook for incorporating fresh new ways of thinking into your classroom. Completely grounded in classroom practice and ready to be implemented today, Instant Relevance will enliven any tired old lesson.
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  • @vbordano
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good instruction involves meeting the students where they are
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Good instruction involves meeting the students where they are. We have to travel to "their world" if we truly want to make an impact. Denis gives so many great ideas for letting this organically come about within any subject area. He also shows us how to connect with our students by using our teacher lives to impact our students in instruction. For all you Texas teachers out there, this book and its practical ideas will help you with so many areas of our new TTESS appraisal system, domains like "creating a strong classroom culture" and "connecting learning to the world".

    As a final bonus, reading this book makes you want to go live life fully and do fun, interesting things just so you can share with your students! I know when I was finished with the book, I started plotting adventures! :-)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Stephanie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A quick and fast read that is full of great ideas for both new and experienced teachers. Denis shares plenty of his own classroom ready activities. His thinking questions inserted throughout the book inspire you to look closely at daily life occurrences relevant to students and bring those ideas into your lessons. I recommend this book to all teachers, regardless of level or subject.
    3 people found this helpful
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