This week's Hook of the Week from Teach Like a PIRATE by Dave Burgess is The Mystery Bag Hook. 

We have a natural curiosity about that which we cannot see. It kills us to know something is being kept from us. We can use this universally engaging principle in our class. Trust me, if your students see a wrapped package at the front of the room when they come in, you will be fielding a ton of questions. If you can tie the moment of peak engagement, which is the unveiling of the contents, to your curriculum...you have a golden moment.

Consider these questions when planning for this hook...

• How can I gain engagement by openly hiding something from the class?
• Can I have a closed box or a package on the front stand?
• How can I build up the suspense of the unveiling?
• Can I cut a hole into a box so that students reach inside and feel the contents but not see?
• Can I give hints and open the floor for guesses?
• What can I put into the mystery box or bag that would tie to my lesson?
• After displaying the item, how can I get students to try to figure out the relationship between it and the lesson?

In what ways might you use The Mystery Bag Hook to engage your students or adult learners?

- DBC, Inc. Team

*Excerpt from Teach Like a PIRATE

If you use it, tag Dave Burgess @burgessdave and @dbc_inc and use the hashtags #tlap and #hookoftheweek!