The “Soft Opening”
At the start of every year you have anticipation. This year is no different. The first two days of classes are completed and now I start the first full week. What I think is that the first full week is the REAL TEST of the new year. The first two days are the “Soft Opening” of the start of the year. We gave it a try, got to know each other, saw the things that will work and probably won’t work and then…. We went on to the weekend.
Next Week, the first full week, is the REAL TEST. In truth, I’ve been preparing for it for several weeks – since before the end of the last school year. As a moment of reflection I recognized that I was missing something over the last year of teaching. I had solid information, good delivery, but wasn’t able to get as many students involved as I wanted. There was “something” missing.
Perhaps the most effective model of teaching is through making it relevant to the students, wanting them to know more and drawing their excitement to the classwork.
I explained to the students that while all their classes are relevant, the only one that truly prepares them for the real world, is Social Studies. Hear me out as this isn’t a boastful statement – nor is it intended to knock other subjects.
THE LEARNING HOOK!
Social Studies, done right, prepares the students to think and evaluate their way through problem solving. Any problem or difficulty that is faced today has been faced by someone in the past. The route to the solution can be found in the past. I also advise them that if you recognize that the world they are growing up into is influenced by the government they live under and that what makes up that government is “WE THE PEOPLE!” then the class that teaches them about government, types and roles of government as well as the concepts behind self determination and the reasoning for it – is Social Studies. I also remind them that from the moment they wake up in the morning to the moment they wake up the next morning their life is influenced by the government they are supposed to be one day running.
WHY is SOCIAL STUDIES RELEVANT?
I then highlight aspects of that influence – Clean air/water to use, the disposal of trash and other waste, the regulations involving the electricity pumped through the power lines to their house, the universal tax on cell phones, and data usage that sets the alarm and plays the music and videos they like. The regulations placed on soap and food that they use to get ready with in the morning so that they can smell clean and have a good breakfast in the morning. The road regulations required for the vehicles they ride to the bus stop and to school as well as the tax on gas or simply walking into a government building for them to get a government education.
Yes, the science of how you wake up or need the food for your circulatory system, and yes, Science (in the lab) helps teach problem solving. We also have math to learn how to tip the waitress as well as how to build structures. Physical Education and the physical energy used coincide with other educational aspects of your life as well as the compilation of poetry like music or the writing style of the person who put together the video – all are other aspects that we get from school that influence your life. HOWEVER…
None of those require you to LIVE your life, they’re aspects of your life. THEY’RE NOT the living of your life.
It’s all about the message.
Monday starts the first real day of learning. Let’s see where it goes. In the upcoming days and weeks I’ll be reporting back what results I have had.
ABOUT the Author
James Baldini is an educator with over two decades of experience in the field of children. Mr. Baldini has worked as a adolescent counselor in a youth shelter, a disciplinarian within a High School, a Vice Principal, a Technology Coordinator, a Social Studies Teacher as well as a Humanities Teacher. Mr. Baldini holds a Standard Certificate in the following areas: School Leadership (Principal), Social Studies (K-12), and Elementary Education.