Ask any high school why they don’t enjoy school and you’re likely to unearth a variation on the idea, “We don’t learn anything that’s relevant.” But it’s up to us teachers to find that relevancy, and use teaching strategies to engage those that might seem bored.
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, who is a seasoned elementary school educator based in Upstate New York, looks at some teaching strategies that can help you to help students find a purpose in your carefully though-out lessons.
Janelle’s cites a group called Purpose Challenge that can help high school students find their path to purpose. With the Purpose Challenge, kids utilize video content, reading material, and brief exercises, students will think deeply about the things that matter the most to them.
Here’s a sample activity that students would complete online:
“Imagine you are 40 years of age and things in your life have gone as well as you could have hoped. What will you be doing? Who will be in your life? What will be important to you? Why? Spend five minutes picturing your best possible future and five more minutes writing about it. Describe it in as much detail as possible.”
Janelle sums up her article thusly: “Going through high school bored and unengaged is no way to live. You can help your high schoolers find their purpose by challenging them to look within themselves and explore what is meaningful to them. Create a purpose-driven curriculum and have students join the Purpose Challenge. This will give students a chance to explore their passions as well as pursue them.”
How will you help your high school students find their purpose? Share your thoughts and teaching strategies in the comment section of the actual article back on TeachHUB.com, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
