Educators Inspire Students to Find Their Way
By Amy Deibler
Experiential Education
To see innovation in action, all you have to do is walk into an Empowered Teacher’s learning space. Undoubtedly, the first thing you will see is students questioning, exploring, discovering, and problem solving.
I recently had the privilege to stop by a local school for a “Pumpkin Market” in Michelle Chambers’s kindergarten classroom. When I arrived, the students busy working on different projects to sell at the Pumpkin Market. Some were designing paper cookies, others were creating corn mazes out of blocks, and still more were crafting felt pumpkin pies. It was astounding to see students’ talents and the creativity pouring out of them. It was notable that these students – at 5 or 6 – were managing themselves and interacting with one another in respectful and collaborative ways. I was really impressed by the experience.
Chambers had very young students taking responsibility for their roles and work in the classroom. They were showing genuine passion for what they, based on their own interests, were creating to offer at the Pumpkin Market. Especially notable was how one student, appointed by his peers as “classroom manager”, showed integrity while checking students’ products – issuing them Empowered Currency (“dollars” that can be used later during class auctions) for their work. I was blown away by the energy of the classroom.
Michelle’s students loved being a part of the real-world simulation of a Pumpkin Market because some of them shared how they had been to a fall festival, or pumpkin patch, with their families and they were excited to apply their own creativity and innovation to the experience.
However, reflecting upon my visit to the “Pumpkin Market”, I must contrast what I saw with what a traditional classroom looks like. In those rooms we see students sitting at desks with paper and pencil listening to lectures or quietly working on a task independently.
Empowered Teachers Prioritize Student Exploration
Although there are times for this type of learning, what I saw happening in Michelle’s innovative classroom certainly transcends the traditional model of learning. Implementing real-world activities brings relevance and interest because it’s what students are experiencing in real life. The benefits of innovating lessons with real-world application for students are innumerable.
Empowered’s instructional strategy was developed to bring the real world into the classroom. One of the things I love most about our strategy is that it allows teachers to bring real-world concepts to any activity, no matter the content.
The students in Michelle’s classroom loved being a part of the real-world echoing Pumpkin Market. They told her, and us, they couldn’t wait to go to a fall festival/pumpkin patch, with their families. They were excited to apply their own creativity and innovation to the experience.
Are you interested in innovating your lessons to bring more real-world concepts to your classroom? Check out one of our newest resources – an A.I. Lesson Plan Generator.
How Can We Help YOU Innovate
Need help bringing your ideas to life? Our Educator Support Team will happily team up with you to, collaboratively, find ways to make your classroom real world ready. Let us know how we can help.
Stay Empowered and Innovative my teacher friends.
