5 Ways Teachers Can Make Learning Meaningful and Relevant

My daughter has the typical Middle School schedule where she sees around seven teachers per day for various classes.

My son has had around 7-8 total elementary teachers in his six years at school.

Interestingly there is one specific class my daughter talks about all the time. We ask her about her day, see what she's made, what she's learned, and it almost always comes back to this one class.

My son still talks about one teacher that he had, who he sees during the day, and cannot wait to have again.

My wife and I listen to their stories, see their eyes light up, and know that when they are with these teachers they must be engaged.

Sure, there are stories weaved in and out from other classes and teachers, but it always tends to focus on experiences they had in "so-and-so's class".

What is so fascinating is that it's probably different teachers for different students. My two oldest kids connect with these teachers in the same ways that maybe other students connect with other teachers.

Yet, there is something about their classroom experiences that are both meaningful and relevant to my kids. In a school district where all the teachers have the same standards and curriculum constraints, there are those two examples that consistently engage my kids in ways that they share with us weekly.

As a proud dad and educator, these are five ways I see my kid's favorite teachers making the learning both relevant and meaningful:

1: Shared Experiences

Many times my kids come home talking about a story or shared experience that their teacher has told them. These stories and experiences are simply shared in a way that builds the relationship and also makes my kid see the teacher as more human.

When we share experiences it activates key parts of our brain that want us to listen and engage -- and allows us to be empathetic or connect our own life experiences to what has been shared.

2: Community Connections

In each class they've had multiple opportunities to interact out in the community or in a way that connects to our local community. Whether writing, producing a play/skit or presentation for the community---even interacting with the natural habitats of the community.

These experiences of going beyond the classroom (and traditional curriculum) spark interest and connection. They also give the teacher and students lots of talking points to refer back to, laugh about, and build on for the future.

3: Talking About Transfer

Transfer. I don't think my kids have ever heard that word used in a classroom. However, they have heard many times WHY they are learning something and HOW they can use this knowledge, understanding, and skill in their future.

Talking with kids about their current learning experiences and why they matter in the near and distant future is a huge piece of the engagement puzzle. These teachers do a masterful job of sharing how their learning will transfer.

4: Finding New Audiences

My son loved putting on a show during the Wax Museum for all the younger and older students (and parents) who came out to ask him questions.

My daughter enjoyed going to a community college to present on her group's project for a national event.

These are just two of the many experiences where their teachers found new audiences for the kids to create for and share their learning with in meaningful ways. Instant engagement!

5: Meaningful Feedback

It's not all roses in learning. Plenty of times my kids have dropped the ball on something, made a mistake, or tried and struggled with something in these classes.

They kind of feedback you receive from teachers in these moments matter. Kids are always wondering if you believe they can achieve, and if you are going to be there to help them on that journey. When we make it a priority to share that a) we do believe and b) we are right here holding them to a high standard and helping them reach it--then powerful learning happens.

Think About Your Learning Experiences...

You probably have a few teachers that you remember and jump out to you as those that made an impact on your life and learning journey. They had the same constraints as every other teacher, and yet somehow found a way to connect, challenge, and engage you as a learner.

As a dad, I'm just happy to see my kids having those experiences in real time. As an educator, I'm so proud of colleagues that are making the learning relevant and meaningful when so much is in their way of doing so (standards, high-stakes tests, traditional curriculum, regulations, etc).