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Dr. Ramsey Musallam
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Spark Learning: 3 Keys to Embracing the Power of Student Curiosity Kindle Edition

by Ramsey Musallam (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
Curiosity changes everything.

In 2008, Ramsey Musallam was stuck in what he describes as an ineffective rut of “pseudoteaching.” Students liked him, but they didn’t get the point of his lessons. They did well enough on the tests, but they failed to really understand the material.

He wanted more—for them and for himself. Maybe you can relate.

For Ramsey, the journey to a better way of teaching began not in the classroom, but on the operating table where he underwent a new, lifesaving heart surgery. His surgeon’s confidence, dedication, and curiosity sparked an idea in Ramsey: What if teachers adopted the qualities his surgeon exhibited and were inquisitive, ready to explore, discover, try, and, yes, even fail? What if students could learn to adopt those traits as well? Those questions launched a quest to inspire inquiry and harness its benefits.

Spark Learning, inspired by Ramsey’s popular TED Talk “3 Rules to Spark Learning,” combines brain science research, proven teaching methods, and his personal story to empower you to improve your students’ learning experiences with …
* Easy-to-implement ideas for sparking curiosity in your students
* Strategies for encouraging students to embrace the mess of learning
* Practices for effective reflection that propels future learning—and greater curiosity
* Technology tips to make it simple to collect and use your own inspiring ideas
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  1. Print length
    168 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 20, 2017
  4. File size
    19.1 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ramsey captures the essence of what it means to pursue excellence in our teaching practice since our students and our communities deserve our best. Although we're not all surgeons doing life-saving work every day, this analogy reminds us of the critical contributions that teachers can and do make daily. Thanks Ramsey!"Gregory T. Rushton, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Stony Brook University

"I've read what Ramsey writes, and I've seen him speak, and he never fails to spark new ideas and curiosity in me. You'll find his thoughts intriguing, the examples practical, and the ten bonus strategies wonderful tools for making great things happen in your classroom!"Rushton Hurley, Founder, NextVista.org

"Through years of thoughtful reflection Ramsey has developed a profound understanding of teaching and learning. This book gives the rest of the world a chance to walk the halls of his mind." Aaron Sams, Author, EdTech Leader, Education Faculty at St. Vincent College

"Ramsey Musallam is that teacher we all wanted to have in school. In fact, after seeing Ramsey, Sir Ken Robinson, Angela Duckworth, Bill Gates, Rita Pierson, John Legend and others share their 'ideas worth spreading' at the first TED Talks Education, my then 10 year-old son said he wanted to be a student in Ramsey's classroom! High praise indeed! Ramsey embodies the enthusiasm, joy and yes - curiosity of a child in his own work as a classroom teacher. As I saw firsthand through his work hosting my nonprofit's show, the Infinite Thinking Machine, for four seasons - his passion is infectious, perhaps even 'ridonkulous' in its effectiveness to teach." Mike Lawerence, CEO, CUE

"Ramsey Musallam's affinity for curiosity is contagious, inspiring teachers all over the globe to bring curiosity to the forefront of learning in the classroom. Spark Learning, will capture you with researched based ideas and real classroom applications to ignite wonder and curiosity in your students."Lisa Highfill, Teacher, Coach, Author

About the Author

Ramsey Musallam is a secondary science instructor at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, California. Ramsey has also has served as an adjunct professor of education at the University of San Francisco and Touro University in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to his role as a science instructor at Sonoma Academy, Ramsey served as a Science Instructor and Director of Inquiry and Innovation at Sacred Heart Cathedral in downtown San Francisco for 15 years. In addition his role as a science teacher, Ramsey runs invention workshops for elementary and middle school students in the greater Bay Area.Ramsey delivers keynotes, webinars and facilitates workshops for teachers nationally and internationally with a focus on using technology as a strategic classroom partner in designing learning environments grounded in inquiry fueled by student curiosity. Additionally, Ramsey is the host of the Infinite Thinking Machine, an internet TV show dedicated to sharing innovative ideas for teachers and students. Ramsey's TED Talk "3 Rules to Spark Learning" is widely popular with classroom teachers, and was the lead talk on TEDs first ever PBS TV premiere, "TED Talks Education." Upon graduating from the University of California Davis with a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Ramsey went on to obtain a MA and Ed.D in Education from the University of San Francisco. Since graduating, Ramsey's research interests have shifted from using Multimedia to manage student Cognitive Load, to a focus on harnessing Multimedia as a tool in cultivating student curiosity, inquiry and motivation.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07319YS66
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. (June 20, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 20, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 19.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 168 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the author

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Dr. Ramsey Musallam

Dr. Ramsey Musallam

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Ramsey Musallam is a high school chemistry, biology and robotics teacher at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, California. After earning his Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco, Ramsey has continued to embrace a career as a full-time classroom teacher deeply passionate about sparking student curiosity, the art of lesson planning, and sharing it all with fellow educators!

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides practical ideas for motivating students and sparking curiosity. It offers simple yet powerful strategies for sparking curiosity and engaging in reflective learning. The book is easy to use and provides tools and templates for both students and teachers.

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InspirationEase of use
13 customers mention "Inspiration"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides practical ideas for motivating students and sparking curiosity. They appreciate the simple yet powerful strategies for engaging in reflective learning. The book opens educators' eyes to an honest way of teaching. It provides sample lessons and a blank template for creating your own. Readers mention it opens their eyes to an honest way teaching and provides tools for teachers and connections to build student curiosity.

"...and provides many more practical ideas about great class starters and approaches to homework." Read more

"...Now, in his new book, Spark Learning: 3 Keys to Embracing the Power of Student Curiosity, every teacher has access to the simple yet powerful..." Read more

"...writing, Ramsey was able to transform his six minute talk into a magical book, inspiring me to read it from cover to cover in one day...." Read more

"...This resource is fabulous for understanding ways in which to engage students curiosity, encourage them to explore, and finally after they've had it..." Read more

6 customers mention "Ease of use"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the practical guide to teaching students and teachers. They find it provides useful tools and templates to help them engage students. The book is described as a fast, easy read that offers new sources of inspiration.

"...templates to guide students through the 5Es Learning Cycle, provides tools and templates to aid both student and teacher reflection of their own..." Read more

"...This resource is fabulous for understanding ways in which to engage students curiosity, encourage them to explore, and finally after they've had it..." Read more

"...Musallam provides sample lessons and blank template for creating your own...." Read more

"...I loved how this book provided me with easy to follow ideas, and the images and screen shots were priceless...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Eric OConnor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great, practical guide to inspire my Government & Economics students!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I have been following Ramsey for many years now. I was first inspired by his TED Talk (and later had his TED Talk used for inspiration by my teacher while getting my Social Studies credential). I can especially relate to Ramsey's discussion in Spark Learning about how to evolve from just a "popular" teacher to a teacher who can ignite student passion every day. In this book, Ramsey emphasizes putting curiosity first in order to successfully reorient a lesson or unit plan.

    As a Government and Economics teacher, I am always on the lookout for ideas or events to engage the students to ponder and address real world problems. (Ramsey uses the more precise language to "prime the brain for meaningful learning".) And, Ramsey addresses this exact point on page 35 of the digital copy of the book: "Whenever I see something on the Internet that intrigues me, or spot a movie or news clip that begs a question, or stumble across something interesting in the physical world, I always ask myself: Can this artifact be modified to spark student curiosity?" And, thankfully, the book does not just stop there. The book lays out a practical road map to use the spark and then apply it throughout the lesson or unit plan. Ramsey gives practical tips about how to use Pocket, IFTTT, and other tools to efficiently curate your new sources of inspiration. And then Ramsey provides real examples of how you could structure certain lessons across all sorts of grade levels and subject matters. I am going to generously borrow from the MLK "I have a Dream" lesson that Ramsey describes on page 24 of the digital copy of the book.

    The book continues in this same vein. Ramsey provides templates to guide students through the 5Es Learning Cycle, provides tools and templates to aid both student and teacher reflection of their own performance (including specific examples of using Google Forms and Sites), and provides many more practical ideas about great class starters and approaches to homework.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Fred Jaravata
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for your own heroic teaching journey!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I was lucky to have met Ramsey when he first led a PD workshop for our school back in 2012. We loved his initial workshop so much that we continued to have him lead a few more over the years. I selfishly made it a point to attend his workshops when possible—I think I missed one out of 3. And each time, I borrowed (stole) a lot from him and it was worth it!

    Now, in his new book, Spark Learning: 3 Keys to Embracing the Power of Student Curiosity, every teacher has access to the simple yet powerful strategies to cultivate curiosity and deep learning.

    I immediately gravitated to his connecting the 5Es of learning (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate) with Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. In this journey, you the teacher, become the mentor when the student is in need. Think Obi-Wan, or Gandalf, or Dumbledore. Brilliant!

    I've benefited so much from Ramsey over the years and I'm glad that he came out with his new book so other teachers can benefit as well. One huge bonus teachers will appreciate is that he shares 10 simple strategies that will help make your subject-matter lessons even better.

    This is easily in my top 5 books that every teacher MUST READ in their own teaching journey.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mary C. Howard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ramsey Musallam invites us all on a transformational journey of excellence
    Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    When I first heard about Ramsey Musallam's new book, Spark Learning, I was immediately compelled to watch his TED talk: 3 Rules to Spark Learning. I was so inspired by his message that I didn't hesitate to order the book. Through his writing, Ramsey was able to transform his six minute talk into a magical book, inspiring me to read it from cover to cover in one day. Ramsey's deep commitment to teaching and to his students rises from his every word. As I read his inspired journey to uncover and implement his three rules, I felt as if I was stepping into his classroom. I consider Spark Learning required reading for every educator who believes in their professional responsibility to students and willingness to make the shifts that will ensure that success. Spark Learning is quite simply a phenomenally exquisite book and we can all be grateful to Ramsey for sharing his journey with us! I am certain that countless educators - and thus students - will benefit from his wisdom.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Kari Lyons
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelieveable Read! Teachers MUST read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I saw a tweet about this book and Ramsey's TED Talk. I went and looked the book up, downloaded a sample, and after 10 minutes of reading ordered my own copy. This book is a great resource for teachers who want their students to dive in and learn, but because they want too, not because they have too. This resource is fabulous for understanding ways in which to engage students curiosity, encourage them to explore, and finally after they've had it explained be able to evaluate what they've learned in new and insightful ways. From using Google Docs to blogging, and applets and pockets, there is information available for all teachers to engage every age group of students they encounter in ways that prod the students to think, reason, and learn, not listen, memorize, and regurgitate. I am so glad I read this book, I look forward to finding new ways to capture my students curiosity and see them learn!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Christopher Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this book to every teacher
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Musallam nails it with this clear, concise "how to" for getting your students curious. I've been researching this--as I find my high schoolers are anything but curious--and this book is exactly what I need. It reaffirms and brings together the techniques and strategies I've found so far by laying out a new way to plan lessons. Musallam breaks it down into 3 rules: #1 Curiosity comes first; #2 Embrace the mess; and #3 Practice reflection. Musallam provides sample lessons and blank template for creating your own.

    I recommend this book to every teacher, especially those who want to get beyond the "chalk and talk" and "death by PowerPoint" and "here's a packet of worksheets" special places in Hell.
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