| Go Beyond the Content |
An exemplary Beyond the Content curriculum should be designed to inspire and motivate young people to live full lives and seek their life's purpose - their Mt. Olympus.
A student's academic success is directly related to what a student believes. Students who believe the right things - about life, about their futures, about the benefits of hard work, about their ability to succeed, about the intentions of the school, etc. - are easy to teach. It's the students who spend their time fighting a system that they believe is against them, the students who don't think they're capable of success, and the students who don't have a purpose for their lives that are difficult to reach in the classroom. Knowing this, we are making a big mistake if we don't spend time in class addressing our students' belief systems.
The Inspirational Corner is filled with strategies, ideas, quotes, and resources for inspiring and motivating students to alter their beliefs. Take a look at it - see what you feel comfortable using in your classroom and then go for it!
As you look over these resources you might wonder how you could fit these ideas into your classroom without taking away from time needed to address content. Try this: Start each class period with a Do Now/Bell Ringer/Anticipatory Set. At least once a week let that activity be one of those from The Inspirational Corner. Play a song; tell a story; share a quote; show a video clip. Give students a moment to reflect on it and then share their thoughts. Take a minute or two to let them know what important life lesson you are presenting - then move on with regular content. Over the course of a school year you can have an amazing impact on their outlook.
