Does the content in your lesson plans have meaning?

Learning must be a purposeful experience for students. John Dewey, a well known educational philosopher, felt all learning needed to be connected to the outside world. He argued content had little meaning if not connected to its real world application outside of the school system (Dewey, 1900, p.13). Dewey challenged learning to encompass all subject areas.​

Educators refer to this now as an interdisciplinary model. Nevertheless, to fully implement the ideals of Dewey’s educational theory, teachers must go beyond content and demand the blending of students, teachers, and society as a whole to fully embraced its value. Dewey’s theories on education and its connection to the outside world are a lacking area in our present educational field.

So how can teachers change this?

The Answer? Start with your lesson plans! Within the teaching field, there are a lot of things that are, unfortunately, out of your control. Whether it be district initiatives or home lives of students, teachers often feel powerless. However, let’s focus on what you can control! You CAN control your lesson plans and their connection to something beyond. Beyond the four walls of your classroom, beyond the educational politics, even beyond your immediate community.

Consider designing meaningful, connected lessons by partnering with local businesses to learn and apply content. Imagine the impact learning could have by not only filling the experience with valuable content, but with life experiences as well! Many students do not begin to think about their futures until they are late in their educational journey. You have the power to change the game. Reach further than simply the purpose of the content, and connect how learning directly relates to your students’ future and how it affects their community.

As students transition into adulthood and begin working in professional fields, they are required to apply more than just content knowledge to their everyday learning.  Consider what “soft skills” are essential for your career focus. What other learning opportunities can you design within this area to build a more well rounded student? 

Looking for a resources to walk you step by step in designing Community Connections into every day learning? Check out the Teach Further Model!

Keep enhancing your lesson plans with the other 8 fixes within our “9 Ways to Fix Your Lesson Plans” series!

Fix 1 : Align Standards, Targets, and Mastery Questions (Click to Read!)
Fix 2: Personalize Learning (Click to Read!)
Fix 3: Scaffold Student Learning Opportunities (Click to Read!)
Fix 4: Ask Your Students (Click to Read!)
Fix 5: Connect Your Content (CHECK!)
Fix 6: Acquire Classroom Funding (Click to Read!)
Fix 7: Create Differentiated Tools (Click to Read!)
Fix 8: Assess Understanding, not Task Completion (Click to Read!)
Fix 9: Ask your PLN (coming soon!)