Houdini in the Classroom

By Michael Kett

Houdini in the Classroom is a fun and effective teaching approach that can be used to:

Help students to develop creative and critical thinking skills

Improve studentsconfidence in public speaking

Foster better writing skills

Create a fun learning environment

Enhance motor coordination

Create memory hooks for key curriculum concepts

The author, Michael Kett, has been a physical therapist as well as a magician for more than 20 years. His previous book, Applied Magic, is a blending of his therapy and magic backgrounds. Houdini in the Classroom is a collection of amazing beginner magic effects that can be applied to any subject or grade level. No previous magic experience is necessary to be successful using this unique teaching tool.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 22, 2002
• ISBN: 9781469109770

Michael Kett

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Book preview

Copyright © 2002 by Michael Kett.

Illustrated by Nancy Kett.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,

or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing

from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Introduction

1

Magic as a Teaching Tool

2

Basic Magic Principles

3

How to Teach Magic

4

Attention-Getters

5

Communication Magic

6

Creative and Critical Thinking Magic

7

Body Part Magic

8

String Magic

9

Rope Magic

10

Paper Magic

11

Money Magic

12

Mental Magic

13

Miscellaneous Magic

14

Motor Skill Magic

15

Curriculum Applications

16

Final Thoughts

Bibliography

DEDICATION

To my dad, for kindling

the spark of magic within me,and to my wife Nancyand son Bryan

for their support

in keeping that spark alive

Introduction

Why Houdini? Harry Houdini is still the most famous magician of all time, even though he died in 1926. He captivated his audience’s attention and was a terrific showman and self-promoter. These Houdini-like attributes combined with basic magic effects can be applied to any classroom to create a fun and exciting learning environment, regardless of the curriculum.

I know what you are thinking: I am a teacher, not a magician. Being a teacher is what will make this teaching tool successful for you. The magic effects taught in this book are NOT difficult, although they will require minimal practice. The most important aspect of performing magic for your students is your presentation and showmanship. The real magic happens when you blend your teaching experience with magic and you see first hand the powerful learning effect this has on your students.

For students to learn, you have to first capture their attention. Making learning fun will motivate students to want to learn. Magic is a fantastic adjunct to any subject or curriculum and is one vehicle that will improve any teacher’s rapport with students, as well as teaching effectiveness.

1

Magic as a Teaching Tool

Most kids think magic is cool, although it depends on their age. Children 5-10 years old seem to be more accepting of magic as entertainment. Once a child is 11-12 years old, magic often becomes more of a puzzle to be figured out than entertainment. Regardless, magic can be used to your advantage as a teacher because you are technically a teacher and not a magician. You can subtly sneak a magic effect into your lesson plan, rather than announce that you are going to perform a magic trick.

Magic can provide an unexpected or out of the ordinary moment for your students. Once you have their attention using magic, anything you say or do for the next few minutes will be closely studied. Your students will become better skilled observers, even if it’s because they want to figure out how you accomplished your magic feat. Magic can be a strong positive reinforcement tool for a desired behavior. A promise to teach the class a new magic trick at the end of the day or week based on meeting specific behavioral goals is a very powerful tool.

Magic is an excellent tool to emphasize a key concept or to create a memory hook. If you can explain an important concept that involves something out of the ordinary, your students will be more likely to remember it, especially if the topic or subject tends to be inherently a little on the dull side.

I don’t consider teaching magic to students exposure. All of the magic effects in this book are public domain. Teaching students magic is a method to not only teach basic magic principles, but also communication skills. You will be surprised how your students will keep the magic secrets to themselves. One of the best uses of magic in the classroom is to develop creative and critical thinking skills.

Magic will help you as a teacher sell your product (learning) more effectively. It is also a wonderful way for a teacher to project his/her personality and sense of humor. Magic can make all the difference in the world as to how a substitute teacher interacts with and is accepted by the students.

2

Basic Magic Principles

There are many magic principles, but I feel these are the most important ones for a new magician.

Eye Power

One of the most basic magic principles is that the audience will look where you look. If you pretend to put a coin in your left hand and you concentrate your gaze on the left hand, the audience will also look there. As an experiment the next time you are shopping, stop and stare at the ceiling. In a few seconds I bet you won’t be the only person staring at the ceiling. Another application is looking into the spectator’s eyes and asking a question. When the spectator looks up to answer, you can perform the secret move.

Believe It!

For the audience to believe what you’re doing is real, you have to believe it is real. If you pretend to put a coin in your left hand, you must believe that the