Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
Dear Educator,
Over the Thanksgiving break, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Ireland with my husband, kids, and parents. According to our family history and Ancestry.com, both sides of our family are from Ireland and we have been eager to explore the country. I love traveling with my family and exploring new places because of the memories we create and the quality times together, but also because of how much my kids learn as they see and experience different parts of the world.
As my husband always says, “A city is a book you read with your feet.” In this week's issue of Bright Spots, I wanted to highlight the power of experience to spark learning.
With Gratitude, Katie
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
Connecting Classroom Learning to the World
As we were walking through Dublin, my 7th grade daughter, Abby, noted the Flying Buttresses on the Christchurch Cathedral and explained what they were and why they were needed. She had read about and discussed them in her social studies class and she was able to teach us. This is what you call transfer! As we walked through castles, Zack read about the history and how the buildings were constructed. He asked questions, researched, and learned a lot as we explored.
Seeing my children acquire and use knowledge to make sense of the world, navigate cities and different cultures, and learn about the history and make connections to the world is important to me as a mom and as an educator. Authentic, purposeful, and expansive learning opportunities are something that I am passionate about creating for all learners.
I am well aware that traveling and seeing the world is amazing, and I am equally aware that it is not even close to feasible for educators to do with a class of students. Luckily, there are other ways to expose students to the world, expand their horizons, and spark curiosity so they can know who they are, thrive in community, and actively engage in the world as their best selves.
Interested in discussing how you can spark curiosity in your students and expand their learning horizons? Let's connect!
Below are some resources to support you in creating authentic learning experiences and expanding the horizons of your classroom.
1. Virtual learning resources. Thanks to technology, it’s now possible for kids to visit all kinds of places wherever they are. Plan your next "excursion" with these virtual field trips.
2. Beyond PBL to Pro-BL. Dive into this CAPS Profession-Based Learning module which serves as a guide for planning, organizing and securing student-led projects beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
3. #ItTakesATeacher. In It Takes a Teacher to Engineer the Classroom for Creativity, Jenny Tolan and Melissa Horwitz highlight how one teacher (who happens to be my husband) fuels students’ excitement for science by emphasizing experiential projects and self-reliance in problem solving.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you actively engaging your students in authentic ways? Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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