My children and I visited a Dairy Queen the other day. It was not the usual DQ that we frequent but popped up on a trip that we were taking. We were surprised to find a secret menu that listed several off menu options. Some were inspired creations by the staff, and some were former items that had been removed from the proper menu. Of course, we tried offerings from the secret menu, and they were delicious.
I’ve heard of secret menus that exist at Disney and other restaurants such as In and Out Burger. The appeal is something that is exclusive and only a handful of people know about it. What was interesting about the DQ secret menu is that it was posted on a piece of paper right along with the regular menu.
As I thought more about the idea of a secret menu, I wondered whether this could work in classrooms with students. After all, who loves secrets more than children? What if we utilized secret menus with our students? We could have a list of hidden challenges, assignments, and earned privileges that students slowly become aware of. This lends a hint of mystery and intrigue to your classroom.
With a secret menu, of course there have to be some rules:
It’s an Absolute Secret. While DQ advertised their secret menu on the wall, in order to work in a classroom, we’d have to change strategies. There’s no direct advertising or announcing to the class that the secret menu exists. It has to spread by word of mouth. It’s better if your period 3 class learns about it from someone from your period 7 class. The less that is known at first, the more magic that the secret menu is going to have. If you post the secret menu somewhere in the classroom, all of the intrigue is gone.
Put the Secret in the Details. Have a few what if questions that will unlock the secret. Include some information in the fine print of an assignment, or bury some easter eggs on your class website or online classroom. The more you can make this like students are chasing down National Treasure, the more that students will enjoy, appreciate, and engage in the secret menu. You can even leave open clues in the physical classroom space that lead students down a rabbit hole. Write a four digit code on the board that leads to a date that leads students to another clue. Make students work cognitively for the menu.
Word of Mouth is all you need. Once one student finds the secret menu, they will do all of your marketing for you. You won’t need to speak another word, and students love spreading secrets. Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets are for everyone. Think about what the classroom rumor mill is like for regular secrets, and use that magic to promote other cool secret assignments and engagements.
Rotate the Menu. Of course, your secrets are going to get out. Once an assignment becomes widely known, move it to the “regular menu” and rotate in another secret. Students will engage in this type of activity all year long if they find they are challenged to discover the items on the secret menu. Periodically switching out the items will keep everyone interested in the long term. Also consider bringing back old favorites with new ways to discover them. Once a group of students learns of your secret menu, you’d better be sure they are going to share it with your future students. Change it up on a regular basis to keep it relevant.
This type of secret menu truly rewards curiosity. One of the things that I think will engage more students is being more curious about the world. Secret activities also incentivize students to think deeply and critically, while asking questions, and thinking beyond the standard, traditional assignments. Using this will help to build a positive classroom culture and lore that will travel from school year to school year.
Think about how you would apply easter eggs, side quests, alternative assessments, and privileges into what you already do.
Start planning your Secret Menu today.
Rich
