Engaging students in a lesson is vital to ensure active participation and ultimately to create an environment that facilitates learning. Instructors should create an interesting opening that will "spark" the students’ interests. For example, in a lesson on Valentine’s Day, I created a play that told the story of the holiday. I selected students to help act out the scenes, then followed the play by questioning the students about the information. Every single question was answered correctly, confirming that by engaging the students in a creative way, they often recall the material much easier. When giving instructions, the directions should be kept short and simple. Following instructions, a "Check for Understanding" should be done to ensure that all students understand the task at hand and lesson objectives. I have found this step to be vital in the success of my lessons, and the comprehension of the lesson and objectives by my students. However, flexibility is important, since if some (or all) students do not comprehend the material, restatement or "reinvention" of content may be necessary.