Last week I was invited by a friend and colleague to screen the documentary "Most Likely To Succeed" at a local high school. There were approximately 100 people there to see the documentary, which centers on educators in a high school setting in California called "High Tech High." The educators that work there fuel the passion and the work ethic of their students in a less traditional setting to engage them in their own learning. So, I was asked....
"How can you support students in discovering their passions in your practice?"
A great question, and one that is not easily answered. To get started, you need to think mindfully about each student in your class, and get to REALLY know them as people, not just a student number. What are they passionate about? What do they excel at? What do THEY feel they are good at, and how can we fuel that flame?
Once you have an idea of things that your students love to do and are passionate about, let them explore that. Just because it isn't in the curriculum doesn't mean you can't learn about it. More often than not, an aspect of their learning can be found within the pages of those hallowed documents we all love and cherish. If they love to draw, why can't they illustrate a book? If they love science, why can't they initiate experiments and bring in things from nature? If math turns their crank, why not let them teach a small group about addition or subtraction? If they can co-ordinate an outfit better than Kim Kardashian, then why not let them help with the dramatic centre to create a store or a fashion show?
The more we know our students, the more they trust us. And the more trust we have, the more we can learn from each other.
How do you support students and their passions?
Check out some other #Peel21st blogs for more ideas and thoughts:
Amit Mehrotra
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@AmitMehrotra78
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Tina Zita
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tina.zita@peelsb.com
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@tina_zita
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