The Epic Classroom: How to Boost Engagement, Make Learning Memorable, and Transform Lives

"Stories are foundational to who we are as people and are at the very core of growth and development [...] Information presented in a story does not just make a brief appearance on the brain and then evaporate once that information was used. Instead, it physically and permanently sears itself to your mind, ready to be accessed and used at any moment." - Trevor MuirI have had the pleasure of hearing Trevor speak a few times thanks to his involvement with my University and relationship with one of my professors (as I read this book, my brain could hear him reading each word - it was creepy and cool). I have heard "project based learning" thrown around a lot lately and have had some college classes that mention it, but didn't give me the confidence to embark on that journey (although I desperately wanted to try it out).This book is an excellent resource for teachers interested in making their classroom a rich, engaging environment for learners. While Trevor teaches English and History, he gives examples from other content areas and gives you the tools you need to apply it to your classroom.After hearing him speak, I started treating my classroom a little more like a story (which isn't a huge stretch as an English teacher). I immediately saw my students become more engaged and invested in what they were learning. After reading this book, I feel more confident moving forward into project based learning and adding the projects to the stories.Each chapter walks through a different component of an epic story and Trevor gives personal examples and examples from colleagues. Every time I hear him talk about projects he has done with his students, my heart warms because his passion for what he does is infectious. Also, as a recent graduate, I have heard so many people try to talk me out of being a teacher because of x, y, and z. But when I hear stories like Trevor's, where he's finding ways to get kids excited about class, learning content and developing skills necessary for life after school, I get excited and I want in on that.I'm eager to start planning my lessons differently and striving to have an epic classroom. I know it'll take time, even if it's a unit or two to start out with, but I want my students to have the same growth and love of learning in my classroom as his do. Thank you for this excellent resource, Trevor!

This is the most EPIC educator read on the market! First, I have to say that I could not put this book down. I try to read all of the new EDU books that are released. This is by far the best that I have read. The book itself spoke to me and my teaching. For a few years now, the many components of PBL have swirled around in my mind. Trevor's incredible story provided me with the binding for those ideas and the strategies that I was looking for.Trevor's use of the "hero's journey" is powerful. I have so many ideas swirling in my mind about how I can use that idea with my 5th graders. I just have to say thank you for giving me and the educators all over the world this amazing story and for inspiring me to continue to push my students out of their comfort zone to find that amazing 'elixir'. Buy this book now! :)

I really enjoyed this book and I found the ideas ingenious. I teach 10th grade language arts at a school that is located in a rather rural area of Oklahoma. I have only been at this particular school for a year and have not been able to set up any kind of project centered activities. This book has really motivated me to approach my curriculum map in a different way. I am going to try to incorporate two new projects this year and add from there.I'm also really intrigued by the idea of choose your own adventure. I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks figuring out how I'm going to weave this concept into my lessons.Overall a great read, now please excuse me while I go and read this book again.

Trevor's book is inspirational. It centers on the elements of story and offers ways to make the classroom a setting that takes students on a journey outside themselves, and often outside the classroom. I have been intrigued by project-based learning, and this book is full of epic ideas for projects and teaching strategies to employ in this method of learning. Trevor's enthusiasm and passion for students' transformation as citizens and young people is evident throughout. Even if you don't work at a project-based school, this book will have you thinking about ways you can transform your classroom into a more EPIC place.At times, the book did seem to oversimplify the applications of this story-centric method of teaching. Story-based lectures felt a little over-the-top. While I can see their place, sometimes information does just need to be transferred. The book also needed a better editor. There were quite a number of typos and odd formatting errors that took away from the reading experience, all of which could have been remedied easily.However, the book is well worth your time, and it will likely have you brimming with your own ideas as well. Trevor's chapter on Character Development was perhaps my favorite, and doubles down on the potential for the classroom to be a place that transforms students' lives. It will leave you inspired and excited for the potential in your own classroom. The perfect read right before the start of this coming school year.

This was an amazing book that helps bring PBL to every teacher! It was a fun read and has already inspired me and colleagues.

If you teach, at any level, you need this book! I thought I did a pretty good job of running an engaging classroom and course. Because I teach entrepreneurship at the college level, I wasn't sure how Trevor's book would translate from K-12 to high ed. I was blown away at how much work I have yet to do to create an epic classroom. But I am glad I now have a guide, and can't wait to get started transforming my students' lives (and mine!)

Very little new in this for veterans, but did have a few good reminders

This is a sensational guide to help educators with making their classes Epic. I could not put the book down. Trevor Muir has a style of writing that makes his ideas flow simply and easy to incorporate in any school setting, just as his videos inspire. A definite Must Read!

Really good!!! Wow!! Thank you!

A must read if you want to engage the kids.