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Week Two:
In last week’s study we learned about weaknesses in the American educational system and some key concepts that we would like to accomplish in our classrooms. This week we will continue to explore how to reach these goals. Let’s further examine the goals that we would like to accomplish in learning, and see how seamless thematic instruction can help.
GOAL 1: LEARNING SHOULD APPEAL TO OUR CURIOSITY
If each individual student is expected to be curious about learning, then there must be avenues by which they can attach subjects that interest them, to the subject being studied. If a student dislikes writing but loves science, let them write about science. An MI approach is a great way to accomplish this. If you are studying the American Indian, dinosaurs, or the rain forest in your classroom, encourage your students to find out things about these subjects that interests and fascinates them.
GOAL 2: LEARNING SHOULD BE OPEN-ENDED
We all know that there is no end to the information that humanity possesses. Just as we make new discoveries there are more on the horizon. Why not take advantage of this and treat your classroom the same way? If students become totally immersed in learning let them see which way the new discoveries take them. Be flexible and allow them to delve more deeply into areas that at first seem unrelated. How much specific recall do we have from our seventh grade history teacher who insisted that we cover only the material in the text? It is the teacher who facilitated our discoveries into new arenas that really made the difference.
GOAL 3: LEARNING SHOULD BE RELEVANT
Why am I studying this subject? If that question is asked, the student deserves a legitimate answer. If that answer is “because I said so,” the teacher needs to reevaluate his or her purpose. Too many times the subjects selected are not based on the student's interests or needs but on other issues like ease of information, popularity, it’s what is in the book, it’s what is on the test, or it’s the teacher’s favorite turf. These are not good enough reasons for teaching. Students should see that what they are spending their time learning is pertinent and relevant to their lives. In other words learning should be LIFE CENTERED. We will examine the concept of life centeredness further when we learn how to map out ideas.
GOAL 4: LEARNING SHOULD BE CONNECTED
Although there is some overlap between these goals, making information interdisciplinary can help a student achieve the others. If students understand that all knowledge is connected, they can more easily understand why they are studying a subject that doesn’t capture their interests. They will see the relevance of the rain forest if it links to the McDonald’s down the street, which is related to world economy, and their dad being laid off. They’ll gain more from studying dinosaurs if they understand that there are species all around us that are becoming extinct every day. They’ll like algebra better if they see that algebra is related to the science of sports, or what keeps and airplane aloft, or makes a NASCAR engine run.
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