What Makes a Good Lesson?

Sitting in Chick-fil-a for lunch, minding my own business a small 2-3 year old girl dressed in an Elsa gown, with mom close behind comes up and hands me a heart shaped box of dove chocolates. 

Her little words came out, "Have a great day!"

In utter surprise I look up and see that there are siblings with her, and they are covering the section of the restaurant that I am in with the same boxes of chocolates.  Everyone in the restaurant, including myself has a huge smile on our faces, not because of the chocolates, but because of the act.  The lesson. 

What makes a good lesson? Action. Experience. Success and Failure. 

In their book The Power of Moments Chip and Dan Heath talk about creating peaks in everyday experiences.  They write, "What if we could design an academic experience as memorable as prom?"  What if the learning that takes place in the classroom has the peaks.  Like an athlete practicing for the game, there is an event that is planned on, prepped for and accomplished.    No, tests don't count as a peak. Do you remember your Unit 4 algebra test?  

There was a man, focused on his phone at the Chick-fil-a when the little girl who delivered my chocolates to me did the same to him.  He looked unnerved and confused.  The mom stepped in and said, "Sir, we are practicing good deeds and serving other people, that is why she is giving you the chocolate."  

Still confused he took it, thanked her, and turned around.  Then the smile broke through as his eyes dove back into the enticing light of his phone.  

The lesson of giving was experienced by these little ones in a restaurant. 

The lesson of receiving kindness also filled this place. 

Make your learning sticky.  Dive in and see what happens.