Education Update is pleased to introduce Brad Kuntz, another award-winning teacher who will offer practical advice about how to increase student achievement and educate the whole child. Kuntz will share his insight on a range of topics, including engaging students in school culture; improving students' reading, writing, and thinking skills; and using project-based instruction.
Please share the column with your colleagues, and join the "In the Classroom" discussion on ASCD's blog, Inservice, athttp://ascd.typepad.com/blog/in-the-classroom-with, where you can also read advice from past "In the Classroom" columnists Bijal Damani and Deirdra Grode, who are also former Outstanding Young Educator Award (OYEA) winners. To learn more about the OYEA program, go towww.ascd.org/oyea.
Today, we see more and more students floating through school without engaging with the world around them. Some are disinterested in classes. Many lack self-esteem. Perhaps they are just bored. Often, these students just get by in their classes. I believe encouraging and inviting students to get involved with organizations that match their interests can go a long way toward setting them up for success and giving them a place to belong in the school community.
A student involved in some sort of club, group, or team stands a better chance of becoming an engaged citizen, gaining self-confidence, and feeling more accepted. In addition, he is more likely to improve qualities that are directly linked to success both inside and outside of the classroom, such as an increased sense of duty, responsibility, and commitment to self and the school community. He may also improve his teamwork skills, work ethic, communication abilities, and more. Plus, connecting with an adult may be just what he needs in his life at this point.
Often, an otherwise apathetic student might be more motivated in class if academic eligibility is a factor in continuing a certain activity. Receiving encouragement to succeed academically from a coach or advisor can have a positive influence on the child. Clubs also benefit students by teaching them to more actively manage their after-school time. Because there is less time to waste in a busy schedule, this kind of commitment can lead to improved homework completion and test preparation.
Joining a club could be equally useful for the student who does average classwork and feels uninspired. An extracurricular activity might offer this student a reason to feel excited about going to school, and that enthusiasm could take the student from ordinary to extraordinary.
Students may not be involved in clubs at school for any number of reasons. I start by assuming that no one has ever invited them and keep my eye out for students who could benefit from the club experience. When I find a match between a student's interests and a club in our school, I simply ask if he has considered joining and encourage him to do so. I follow up a few days later. I also speak with the club's teacher advisor, pass along that student's name, and request the teacher make an effort to meet the student to discuss the possibility of his joining. I have introduced students to club advisors personally, and I have even walked a student to his first meeting just to help him feel comfortable about taking that first step.
If I have a student who could benefit from club participation but who doesn't have any particularly well-matched interests, I begin to think of advisors or coaches who may work well with that student and approach the matter from a personality standpoint instead.
Sometimes it doesn't work. More often, a student feels good about being noticed, honored to be wanted, and better having connected with adults.
