As a classroom tutor, teacher, observer and counselor I have heard students ask “Why do I have to learn this!?” and “What is the point of this!?” with much enthusiasm way too many times. As a student, how nice would it be to know why you are learning about decimals in 9th grade algebra or about erosion in 6th grade science? I am sure if I had figured out the “why” behind my algebra and science classes, I would have paid much more attention.
So why is it so important for kids to see the relevancy in what they are learning? Well, not only is there a plethora of research that supports it, we have seen what happens with our own eyes. Kids become more motivated and excited about their subjects when they can truly apply what they are learning to real life and participate in an activity, simulation, or lab that provides hands-on, real-life experience with the “why” of it all.
As observers, we have seen education at its best. It is amazing to see classrooms full of energy and full of students motivated and excited to learn. Ideally, this would be happening in every classroom at every school.
So, what does this look like? Here are two example classes.
So why is it so important for kids to see the relevancy in what they are learning? Well, not only is there a plethora of research that supports it, we have seen what happens with our own eyes. Kids become more motivated and excited about their subjects when they can truly apply what they are learning to real life and participate in an activity, simulation, or lab that provides hands-on, real-life experience with the “why” of it all.
As observers, we have seen education at its best. It is amazing to see classrooms full of energy and full of students motivated and excited to learn. Ideally, this would be happening in every classroom at every school.
So, what does this look like? Here are two example classes.
6th Grade Science: Erosion and Deposition
Erosion and deposition are two large vocabulary words that these sixth-graders need to learn about and make sense of. In this class (which we captured on video, see trailer below), instead of showing a PowerPoint presentation and answering questions out of a book, this teacher applied the lesson to real-life examples and had great results. The town that the school is in has a creek that runs through it so the kids worked together to “build” the creek (a model) and all of the necessary trees, sewer lines and banks with straws, popsicle sticks, and mud. After a discussion on erosion and deposition regarding the placement of trees and sewer lines, the kids began the experiment. Students' had a pitcher of water to pour through their models to experiment with what would happen to the sewer lines and the trees in the banks. From this they were able to see what erosion and deposition looked like and how it affected all of the components. As they performed the simulation, the groups were passionately discussing what they believed was going on and why this was happening. In addition to this simulation, the class also had a task. The task was to use what they had learned in class to write a letter to the city council members discussing whether or not the city should take out the sewer lines and whether they should add or take away the trees in the bank of the creek. The students in this classroom were passionate about their opinions and truly yearned to know more about the implications of erosion and deposition in their city's creek. Now that is what I call making a lesson relevant!
[In Action DVD: 6th Grade Science - Tammy Mendoza]
9th Grade Algebra: Decimals and Percentages
As adults, we are very aware of how much we use decimals and percentages in our daily lives. Ever have trouble splitting a check and tipping the waiter/waitress correctly? Or have you wondered how much that shirt is when the 30% is taken off? Well, ninth-graders do not necessarily know all of this “being an adult on your own” business.
In this class (which I observed), they set up a café and shopping spot (much like Nordstrom’s). Each table group had an item for sale, had the real price of items, and the exact percentage taken off of each advertised item. Other students would come and “shop” based on the “retailers” poster boards with catalog pictures, and the “salesman” needed to give the shoppers a sales pitch based on what the shopper was buying and then ring the price up correctly. Not only were the sales pitches entertaining, but the students were getting into it and running with their ideas. Fast forward a few minutes and the shoppers would make their way to the café. Here they would order off the menu (the class actually had some donuts and juice for the shoppers to enjoy while at the café) and after dining the shoppers received a bill for which they had to calculate a tip (either 10%, 15%, or 20%) to be split amongst their group.
Percentages and decimals can (and often are) taught through worksheets and word problems. What do you think will stick with a 14-year-old more: the lesson described above or worksheets and word problems? I can imagine these teenagers going shopping after school and saying something like, “Oh, I know how to figure this out. Remember that store we did in class!?” I have actually heard these conversations in real-life. Here is a "high-five” to that teacher! It worked!
In this class (which I observed), they set up a café and shopping spot (much like Nordstrom’s). Each table group had an item for sale, had the real price of items, and the exact percentage taken off of each advertised item. Other students would come and “shop” based on the “retailers” poster boards with catalog pictures, and the “salesman” needed to give the shoppers a sales pitch based on what the shopper was buying and then ring the price up correctly. Not only were the sales pitches entertaining, but the students were getting into it and running with their ideas. Fast forward a few minutes and the shoppers would make their way to the café. Here they would order off the menu (the class actually had some donuts and juice for the shoppers to enjoy while at the café) and after dining the shoppers received a bill for which they had to calculate a tip (either 10%, 15%, or 20%) to be split amongst their group.
Percentages and decimals can (and often are) taught through worksheets and word problems. What do you think will stick with a 14-year-old more: the lesson described above or worksheets and word problems? I can imagine these teenagers going shopping after school and saying something like, “Oh, I know how to figure this out. Remember that store we did in class!?” I have actually heard these conversations in real-life. Here is a "high-five” to that teacher! It worked!
Application and Relevancy are Important
Application is so very important for students to not only learn, but to retain what they learned. If they retain the information they learn then they can truly apply it to real life. Also, when students extend their learning into relevant contexts they increase their conceptual knowledge, critical thinking skills, and motivation for learning. If you are a teacher, do yourself a favor and integrate application into your lessons. Think about how you would have wanted to learn a certain concept as a kid and make your classroom fun AND challenging! Your students will thank you!
Erin McCullough Research Assistant
Erin McCullough holds a Master’s of Education degree in School Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. Her experience includes 3 years at a high needs Seattle High School in multiple student support positions, including working with at-risk 9th grade students, tutoring AVID classrooms, truancy counseling, and helping students with high school and college planning. She also has a passion for school counseling, having completed a year-long school counseling internship in Seattle Public Schools at the high school level and 200 hours in a school counseling practicum at a middle school in the Edmonds School District. Erin is excited to continue gaining experience in education as a Research Assistant at The BERC Group and is passionate about helping schools improve and reach their full potential.
