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Dynamite Lesson Plan’s Damien Riley offers classroom-tested tips and advice on how to be more successful in engaging students.

Dorit: Thank you Damien for this interview. First off, I just love the name of your blog. How did your blog get its first name?

Damien: You’re welcome Dorit, it’s great to exchange ideas with colleagues and others interested in education. I named my blog after something my master teacher in teacher’s college told me in 1997. Like many new teachers, I struggled with behavioral issues in my class. He told me something I will never forget: “The best way to control children is with a dynamite lesson plan.” I believe in it so much that I named my teaching blog after it: “Dynamite Lesson Plan”.

Dorit: You are an experienced teacher – what do you teach and how long have you been teaching?

Damien: Thanks for the nickname! I currently teach 4th grade in a Southern California public school. I am qualified to teach K-6 and I have been teaching for 9 years now. Grades I’ve taught in the past include: 3,4,5,9 and I’ve taught college courses. So I like to think I’ve seen different age groups so I can offer help and cover more than just 4th grade.

Dorit: I heard you are also a writer – what do you like to write and how long have you been writing?

Damien: I got my masters in English with hopes of becoming a writer and college professor. The college professor thing wasn’t for me, too much academic quicksand, but the writing has thrived in a book publication and a multitude of popular posts around the web. Book publishing began when I answered a simple call for stories in my school newspaper. It was eventually published in a book. You can access my published and unpublished web writing on my online resume which I call Riley Central.

Dorit: In your blog you focus on different ways teachers can engage students. What do you think is by far the most critical and challenging area(s) that new teachers need to master? How do you feel about the task of engaging students?

Damien: Good question about student engagement. People are attracted to energy. When a teacher is involved and enthusiastic about what he/she teaches, children are drawn to it. This is where learning takes place. The way there as a teacher is largely in the hands of the individual. When I see a new teacher talking about her assigned goal like walking barefoot on broken glass, I’ll ask her later, “What part of that boring lesson COULD you be interested in teaching?” I usually get some wild replies after a while. We conclude that you must be interested in the children not believing. New teachers should start finding ways to get comfortable with the material, the delivery, the “gadgets” like projectors, etc. and all the stuff they use to teach. When this comfort has developed, children will want to come to class and they will learn. Children are like sponges, but when there is no water…

Dorit: How has the internet impacted teachers’ ability to think more dynamically to engage their learners? Your students’ writing?

Damien: I enjoy blogging, but it may not be for everyone. The Internet makes it possible to instantly collect photos and information on a variety of topics for your children every day. I try to do my planning on Thurs and Fri after school. At this time I collect everything I can find from the internet. It’s also a way to network with teachers around the world and break out of the mindsets of your school location or your district.

Dorit: What do you like best about dynamic teaching?

Damien: Movement. Getting kids to move gets their blood pumping and makes them remember the lesson more. I have volunteers standing in chairs holding up signs, hand gestures, etc. I even once modeled a “sequential order” by having a student follow my instructions that were trivial (stand up, turn around, etc.) and when she came to me , I gave her a dollar! They’ll be talking about that in September.

Most disliked?

Calling random non-volunteers. It’s so necessary, but I wish I could just call those who I know are listening. I use playing cards and number the kids to make it fun.

Dorit: What new(er) approaches have you been using lately to create dynamic lessons that engage students?

Damien: Explicit Direct Instruction is really my model now. A great thing. You can search for it on google or on my website. I’ve written quite a bit about it.

Dorit: Do you have any advice for aspiring teachers on how to create dynamic lesson plans and/or engage their students?

Damien: Get a teaching method or template you like and pour your passion into it. Make note cards and stick them on your desk with the things you know the principal is looking for and do those things but focus more on what excites you. That’s what education needs today. Enough blah blah blah.

Dorit: How do you define dynamic teaching? Both as a class leader, lesson planner and teacher?

Damien: Well, everything I’ve said so far defines it. I really like acronyms so let me use the letters from my website: DLP and answer your question:

D: The dynamic lesson has drive.

L: If you go on stage, you are not lazy!

P: You do it for the love of people, big and small

Dorit: What do you wish you knew in the beginning about engaged students and dynamic teaching that you know now?

Damien: If you look people in the eye and tell them you’re there to help, you’re always “in”. Don’t be intimidated by your admin watching you. See your vision to reach children your way. I used to freak out when someone was watching me. I think it’s always difficult, but now I see it differently. Life is so short that you can have such an impact as a teacher. And if your admin doesn’t fit your style, find the courage to keep looking for another job.

Dorit: Is there anything you would like people to know about you that they might not know?

Damian: Not really. This was a great “dialogue”. Thank you for the wonderful questions. I just want to thank the teachers out there and let them know that I am their advocate and if they would like to visit and bookmark my site I would love to meet them and network ideas with them!

Dorit: I’m sure your information and experience will be very helpful for new teachers out there. Thank you for this interview!

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