I am preparing to do the August 13 Tough Mudder in Louden, NH. This will be my fourth one, all after the age of fifty. Those on my team have vowed to TM until we can't. We shall see how long that will be. I have at least enough in me to get to the age of sixty.
I mention this because of the things I love about TM. There is, of course, the physical challenge involved. More importantly, there is a lot of problem solving involved. We have to persevere and endure. We have to work well together to get everyone past each obstacle. We have a win-win focus that includes everyone on the course and our commitment to helping anyone else who needs it. We have to plan what we do carefully and thoroughly. We need to communicate what we are doing and what we need every step of the way. Sounds a lot like 21st century skills, doesn't it?
My favorite stuff to do with students involves experiential learning. I love taking students to ropes courses and watching them grow individually and as a group. I am indebted to the Massachusetts National Guard for all the times they have had my students on Camp Edwards to use their Leadership Reaction Course. I relish every opportunity I can take to set up Amazing Race courses at schools for students and teachers where they can race around a campus, working together, solving, overcoming, memorizing, and performing. The single best experience I had as a teacher was doing the Harbor Conservation Corps over two summers with students from Cathedral. Why? Because all of these activities are ways for students to learn via real experiences and put their classroom learning into play.
We need to do more in schools to get students to apply as many skills and as much learning as possible in what they are doing. Ropes courses, real student leadership training and involvement, real voices in the life of the school, simulations, plays, exchanges.
What a student learns in Algebra II or English 10 is very important and the bread and butter of education. However, I have no real recollection of much of what I did in either of these classes. But, I remember much of my drama productions, my swim team seasons and my part time jobs vividly. A goal we should have is to give each student at least one of those vivid memories from every class and every activity they do. Then they will carry their learning with them.
What are some of the activities/learning events you do with your students to add meaning for them? Share so that we can all do better. I would be happy to share with anyone some of the Amazing Races I have set up for students and adults. I would be happy to discuss the vital importance of leadership development for all high school students.
Getting back to Tough Mudder. Try one. You will understand. Maybe I will see you in August.
I mention this because of the things I love about TM. There is, of course, the physical challenge involved. More importantly, there is a lot of problem solving involved. We have to persevere and endure. We have to work well together to get everyone past each obstacle. We have a win-win focus that includes everyone on the course and our commitment to helping anyone else who needs it. We have to plan what we do carefully and thoroughly. We need to communicate what we are doing and what we need every step of the way. Sounds a lot like 21st century skills, doesn't it?
My favorite stuff to do with students involves experiential learning. I love taking students to ropes courses and watching them grow individually and as a group. I am indebted to the Massachusetts National Guard for all the times they have had my students on Camp Edwards to use their Leadership Reaction Course. I relish every opportunity I can take to set up Amazing Race courses at schools for students and teachers where they can race around a campus, working together, solving, overcoming, memorizing, and performing. The single best experience I had as a teacher was doing the Harbor Conservation Corps over two summers with students from Cathedral. Why? Because all of these activities are ways for students to learn via real experiences and put their classroom learning into play.
We need to do more in schools to get students to apply as many skills and as much learning as possible in what they are doing. Ropes courses, real student leadership training and involvement, real voices in the life of the school, simulations, plays, exchanges.
What a student learns in Algebra II or English 10 is very important and the bread and butter of education. However, I have no real recollection of much of what I did in either of these classes. But, I remember much of my drama productions, my swim team seasons and my part time jobs vividly. A goal we should have is to give each student at least one of those vivid memories from every class and every activity they do. Then they will carry their learning with them.
What are some of the activities/learning events you do with your students to add meaning for them? Share so that we can all do better. I would be happy to share with anyone some of the Amazing Races I have set up for students and adults. I would be happy to discuss the vital importance of leadership development for all high school students.
Getting back to Tough Mudder. Try one. You will understand. Maybe I will see you in August.
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