Don't Kill Student Curiosity

Okay I admit it, I have not read a book in a while, I have gotten very busy with other things.  Having said that, I am addicted to reading The Innovator's Mindset and even joined a book study, #IMMOOC.  I teach high school and hear on a regular basis how students hate school.  I know some of them are more frustrated for the day verses every day but there are those who really do hate it.  How many hate it because they have lost the love of learning or maybe they were never sparked to love learning?  I do not know but I can do my part to make learning fun.  Hopefully that will ignite the curiosity of those who love to learn and those who have lost it.  Students today need to accept that they must be lifetime learners.  If they have lost their curiosity and love of learning, what are the chances of them staying involved in learning?  Sometimes that fun is a simple as corny jokes that are tied to the curriculum to help them remember the concepts.  One of my database jokes, you cannot create a new relationship if you have the old girlfriends around.  That helps them remember that they cannot create database relationships while they have tables open.  Yea it is corny and the kids agree with that but they laugh and remember the concept.  I believe that if laughter is associated with learning, it is a good thing.  Also so many students have very little in their lives to smile about, much less laugh. 

Sometimes is means having snacks for hungry students, they cannot learn if they are hungry.  Sometimes it means taking time to listen to a student, it is tough to teach a student that is stressed out or upset.  I want students that walk in to feel more like they are at home, low stress and safe.  Students are then more willing to try something new, or accept failure, or feel free to speak up if they feel safe and welcomed.


I also decorate my classroom with various hand made quilts and student paintings.  I tell them the theme  of my room is find your talent and put it to use.  I tell them the stories of the quilts and paintings and the skills required for each.  Then I encourage them to explore what interests them and to put forth the time and effort to develop their interest and skills. 

Currently I have the honor of assisting one of my FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students this week and last as he finishes up a project for competition.  His event is 3D Animation and I know nothing about it.  My job was things like have the lab open for him and install the software that he needed on computers.  He has worked on this project for months just because it is his interest and he is self taught.  He has spend a huge number of hours on this project and has loved every minute of it, even the failures.  It is so much fun to watch him work and I love to listen to him explain what he is doing.  This is what learning is all about!  He was curious about animation and went on to learn about it, that is so exciting.

We must teach students to love learning so they continue to learn.  Hopefully they do not look back at their school years and cringe.