Create Captivating Classes: Why NCLB Should Mean No Child Left Bored

Keeping students engaged with instruction is no easy task in modern classrooms. Create Captivating Classes gives educators tools to encompass background knowledge as well as strategies for teachers of any age student. Even if the NCLB law is not renewed, these ideas will stand the test of time! — Eva Cornwell, Title I coordinator, Georgetown-Ridge Farm School District, Illinois

Perfect for new and veteran teachers! This book is loaded with creative ideas to capture and maintain student interests. Veteran teacher and entertaining magician shares his best tricks! Read this and see what you can pull out of your hat! Your students will love you for it! — Lisa Witsman, Teacher, Westville School District, Illinois

Public education is in a state of crises in this country, in part because too many classrooms are deadly dull. From his background as an educator and a magician, Christopher Bontjes understands that children learn best when the teacher is able to draw them into the subject matter and that fun and substance are not mutually exclusive. The ideas in Create Captivating Classes can lift both the spirits and the achievement of students and teachers alike. — Dr. David R. Goodsell, retired associate professor of education at Valdosta State University, Georgia

What do educators and entertainers have in common? Both need an engaged audience in order to be effective. The principles in Create Captivating Classes can be used by educators, youth workers, pastors, coaches, or anyone who works with an audience of any size or age range. — Joanna Coombs, jr. high/high school supervisor, Danville Christian Academy

This book is a superb springboard for a teacher’s imagination! Clear, concise, engaging — and inspiring! This is a how-to book that’s a real page-turner; I had to keep reading because I wanted to know what else I could learn. Every teacher can benefit from some part of this book. J. Christopher Bontjes takes a creative approach to everything from lesson planning and presentation to classroom management — and makes it feel like fun. Read this book. Use it. Be a better teacher! — Laura Logan, upper elementary head teacher, Woodside Montessori Academy, Massachusetts

Create Captivating Classes should become a required read for teachers new to the profession and those who have been in the field for many years. Christopher has reminded us that if we expect to keep the attention of our students, we need to pay attention to the way we keep their interest. A little humor never hurts! We all have the opportunity to be the “entertainer in our classroom” and in turn help the students become more engaged. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop that Christopher held earlier this year. If you ever have this opportunity, take it! It is well worth your time, and you will leave with some great ideas and a smile. Do yourself a favor: add this book to your “must read list.” The ideas presented in this book will help you re-energize your classroom and refocus your students. — Kimberly A. Hawthorne, professor, Business, Hospitality, and Information Systems Department, Illinois Central College