Yesterday I was brainstorming with a coworker on writing projects for gifted students. At first she was looking for creative ideas of topics that students could write on. But then I redirected her thinking towards the purpose of the writing.
By allowing students to choose their topic of writing, it gives them the freedom to explore and question the world around them. Directing them away from fiction writing, we give real purpose to research - the exploration for an answer. Suddenly the focus shifts away from completing a grade or meeting a standard to inquiry and search for understanding.
For students to write meaningful content, they need to be passionate about it.
As teachers, we know it's important for students to (fill in the blank), but we don't always express the purpose well. Too often I hear that students will need these skills when they reach the next level. Elementary prepares for middle school which prepares them for high school where they are prepared for college because everyone needs to go to college.
We are developing persons.
But when we shift our focus beyond the next level of education, we understand that we are participants in a child's growth and development. It's the idea of life long learning. "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Many Christian schools have used Luke 2:52 as a key concept. The goal is to have better students tomorrow than they were today.
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