FITB- Chapter 10: Going Beyond The Classroom

So many students are waiting and willing to spread their wings and try new things inside and outside the classroom. However the classroom setting is not always conducive to a particular students’ learning style or ability. Students look to their teacher for inspiration but more importantly to provide other examples of people who can inspire. One way to do this is to establish connections between what they know and love and what they want to do in the world after high school. Any opportunity for a student to be able to learn “outside the [ir] usual classroom routine” can evoke so many new emotions and stir motivation for grasping their education.

Allowing students to complete regular class work outside of the school can aid in helping create a concrete example of their future. Designing projects that involve other experts shows them that what they accomplish now is related to what they can accomplish later in life. Focusing on not many but maybe just one particular learning experience, ensures that the students will gain a lot from one and not the other way around. Arranging for students to participate in internships is one way that can directly correlate what they currently know and understand with what they want to know, understand, and eventually do with their life. Once school is out for the summer or for a break, it is important to still be able to reach your students. Helping them to find summer and enrichment programs that can build/continue on their knowledge while you or another adult figure in their life is not there can be very beneficial.

Being able to recognize and support each student’s learning is crucial. But more importantly being able to support each student’s learning on their own is vital to their future understanding of material. Giving students the tools they need to succeed is what helps not just to shove them through the education system but helps them to really know what they are doing and take charge of their life.