Starting school was a big step for my child and me. We wondered if they would do well in school and find what they loved outside of class. The world of extra-curricular activities can be both exciting and a bit scary. But, I’m glad we took this path.

My child joined sports teams that taught them about teamwork and discipline. They also explored arts and music, which helped them be more creative. These activities have been key in making their education well-rounded.

Key Takeaways

• Explore the wide range of extra-curricular activities available for students, from sports and arts to academic competitions and community service.
• Discover how these activities can boost academic performance, develop life skills, and foster personal growth.
• Understand the benefits of sports teams in building teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills.
• Dive into the world of artistic pursuits, including music, dance, visual arts, and theater.
• Learn about academic competitions that challenge young minds and prepare them for future success.

Exploring the Benefits of Extra-Curricular Activities

Extra-curricular activities can change a student’s life, offering many benefits beyond school. They help improve grades and teach important life skills. These activities are key to a student’s growth.

Boosting Academic Performance

Many think extra-curricular activities take away from schoolwork. But, research shows they actually help students do better in school. By joining clubs or teams, students learn to manage their time and work with others. This helps them stay focused and organized in class.

A study by the U.S. Department of Education found a link between extra-curricular activities and better grades and attendance. Students who joined clubs or teams did better than those who didn’t.

Developing Life Skills

Extra-curricular activities are also great for learning life skills. Joining sports teams, art clubs, or debate clubs teaches teamwork, communication, and leadership. These skills are crucial for success in life.

• Working together in groups helps students learn to work well with others, a key skill for the future.
• Dealing with challenges in clubs and teams improves problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Leading in school groups helps students develop leadership skills.

These skills gained from extra-curricular activities help students grow personally and professionally. They prepare students for success in their future.

“Participation in extra-curricular activities can be a transformative experience, shaping students into well-rounded individuals with the skills and confidence to thrive in the real world.”

Sports Teams: Building Teamwork and Discipline

Joining a sports team can change a student’s life. It teaches important lessons about teamwork and discipline. It also helps with physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Being on a team means working together, talking well, and helping each other reach goals. This way of working together teaches key life skills that go beyond sports.

Sports teams also teach discipline to young athletes. They need to practice regularly, follow team rules, and work on getting better. These habits are important in school and work.

• Cultivate teamwork skills through collaborative problem-solving and communication
• Develop discipline through consistent practice, adherence to team rules, and goal-setting
• Promote physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle
• Learn to handle success and failure with grace and resilience

“Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” – Heywood Broun

Being on a sports team lets students show off their athletic skills. It also helps them learn important life skills. These skills of teamwork and discipline can help in school, personal growth, and future success.

Artistic Pursuits: Unleashing Creativity

Artistic activities can change young learners in big ways. They offer music, dance, visual arts, and theater. These programs help grow skills and boost creativity, self-expression, and love for the arts.

Music and Dance Programs

Music and dance let students show off their talents and interests. They can learn to play an instrument, dance, or sing. These activities improve coordination, discipline, and focus. Students also get to express themselves through art.

Visual Arts and Theater

Visual arts and theater let students be creative and find new ways to express themselves. They can paint, sculpt, act, or design sets. These activities make students think deeply, solve problems, and work with others. They also improve emotional smarts and how they communicate.

Arts programs do more than just teach skills. They boost creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. This helps students do well in school and life.

“The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time. Rather, painting and drawing, music, theater, dance and creative writing are all keys to student achievement.”
– Former U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley

Academic Competitions: Challenging Young Minds

Academic competitions are exciting events that help students grow intellectually. They offer a chance to shine in areas like math olympiads, spelling bees, and debate clubs. These activities push students to reach new heights in their studies.

Math Olympiads

Math olympiads are known for boosting critical thinking and problem-solving. They present complex math problems that require creative solutions and careful attention. By joining these events, students improve their math skills and learn to see the beauty in numbers.

Spelling Bees and Debate Clubs

Spelling bees and debate clubs focus on language and speaking skills. They test how well students know their words and how they can speak clearly. These activities help students become more confident, think quickly, and communicate better – skills they’ll use in school and work.

These competitions are great for growing minds. They make learning fun and inspire students to aim high. They help students think deeply, solve problems, and communicate well. This prepares them for college and the job world.

“Academic competitions challenge students to push the boundaries of their intellectual abilities, preparing them for a future where innovation and adaptability are key.”

Academic competitions are key to personal and academic growth. They help students develop important skills for life. By taking part, young learners can reach their full potential and set the stage for success.

Community Service: Fostering Empathy and Civic Engagement

Community service projects help students feel a strong sense of social responsibility and empathy. By volunteering, they learn about their local and global communities. This prepares them to be active and engaged citizens.

These activities change both the volunteers and those they help. Students see different perspectives and challenges in their community. This helps them develop real compassion and care for others, key for being responsible citizens.

Community service makes students think about their impact on society. They might help with a food drive, tutor kids, or clean a park. These efforts teach them about civic duty and the strength of working together.

Through service, students gain important skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. These skills help them do well in school and later in life, both personally and professionally.

Service projects teach students the value of civic engagement and the need to make a positive change. As they take part in these activities, they become committed to serving their communities and making a difference in the world.

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.”
– Unknown

Extra-Curricular Activities: A World of Possibilities

Extra-curricular activities offer students a wide range of ways to explore their interests and passions. They can join school groups or community programs. This lets students find new hobbies, learn leadership skills, and show their talents.

These activities let students try out many subjects and hobbies outside class. They can join sports teams, debate clubs, or music groups. This helps students get a well-rounded education and learn many skills.

Extra-curricular activities are great for students to follow their passions and hobbies. Doing what they love helps students find purpose, gain confidence, and reach their full potential. There are many clubs, from coding to environmental groups, for students to choose from.

These activities also help students learn important life skills. They work together, take on leadership roles, and aim for common goals. This helps them get ready for school and work by improving teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

The world of extra-curricular activities is full of chances for students to grow, learn, and make memories. By taking part, students can discover new interests, improve their skills, and gain essential life skills.

“Participating in extra-curricular activities has been the most rewarding and fulfilling part of my high school experience. It has allowed me to explore my passions, develop valuable life skills, and connect with a diverse community of peers.”

Finding the Right Fit: Matching Interests and Schedules

Choosing the right extra-curricular activities is key to a fulfilling school life. Parents should look at their child’s interests, skills, and schedule. Finding the right balance between school work and activities helps students get the most out of their time and stay balanced.

Balancing Academics and Activities

It’s hard to balance school work and extra activities. Parents and kids should talk about their schedules and time use. They need to make sure there’s enough time for studying and extra-curricular activities.

A good schedule helps students manage their time well. This is important for success later on. By focusing on both school and extra-curricular interests, students can grow in many areas. This makes their education more complete and rewarding.

The table shows how different extra-curricular activities take up time and help develop skills. Parents and students can use this to plan a balanced schedule. This should fit their academic balance and interests.

“The key to success is finding the right balance between academic rigor and engaging extra-curricular pursuits. It’s about discovering your passions and making the most of your time in school.”

Developing Leadership Skills through School Organizations

Being part of school groups like student government and clubs gives students key leadership skills. These activities help them grow in areas like public speaking, making decisions, and working as a team. These skills are vital for doing well in school and later in their careers.

Student Government

Student government is a great place for students to improve their leadership skills. They get to be in charge and learn about governance, negotiation, and helping the community. They work with school leaders, plan big events, and speak up for their fellow students. This hands-on experience teaches them how to make important decisions.

Clubs and Special Interest Groups

Clubs and groups at school also let students show their leadership skills. Leading a debate team, organizing a community event, or running a robotics club helps them build important skills. These experiences teach them about being responsible, communicating well, and working together. They prepare students for the challenges they’ll meet in the future.

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The ideas that promote a quality education and a competitive society includes advancement in literacy as well as innovative technology, Scientific breakthroughs, artistic explosions, and an affinity for values that make American society a progressive entity among nations.

Literacy

The ability to read and write for all Americans is a gigantic step in the right direction when it comes to a quality education. Teachers must guide students toward the mastery of literacy above all things else. High level reading and writing skills make it possible for research and study, resulting in the birth of new and innovative ideas and breakthroughs.

If a high school student cannot comprehend on a 4^th grade reading level, our society is in trouble. Unfortunately, this has been the case in America for some time. Several programs, including “No Child Left Behind Act” has done little in closing the achievement gap.

Technology

During the shutdown resulting from the worldwide pandemic, an appreciation for technology became a reality that few can deny. Zoom classes took over in-person instructions.  But imagine if distance learning had not been an option. Imagine how much further behind American school children would have been if zoom technology and other social media channels never existed.

Students were able to do assignments on laptops or chrome books. Digital learning became a national commonality in a time when academic uncertainty was at an all time high.

Both parents and teachers where able to dive deeper into the possibilities of technology, giving birth to new and innovative strategies for years to come.

Scientific Breakthroughs

Medical cures, space explorations, environmental improvements, and intelligent responses to worldwide emergencies have only been possible due to scientific breakthroughs that have been discovered by people who desired to find out Why something is or is not as well as what can be done about it.

The worldwide pandemic placed a demand on science and science came through with an answer in the vaccines. Many other times in history science has responded to national and international emergencies that could have wiped out entire populations without reservation.

Overall, scientific discoveries have provided us with the wisdom and knowledge of how the world operates, not only the world, but the entire universe.

A quality education must include the teaching of science.

Artistic Explosions

The mystery of art intrigues all humanity. Therefore, the art of a nation is the expression and connectivity of that nations to all the world. Whether the art consists of paintings or other artistic expressions, our identity comes full circle.

Our ability to express ourselves in art indicates how much freedom we have as a nation. Other countries band certain arts, creating obstacles to complete expression. In some countries, the only art you see is that of the dictator who is holding captive the inhabitants.

The greatest artists have been those who have had the freedom to express themselves without punishment from the government.  They have left an eternal legacy for generations to come.

Affinity toward Transformative Values

The embracement of great values continually promotes a society. Character education should be included in every curriculum in schools across the United States. The ignorance of this necessity will result in students who have lost respect for every worthy endeavor.

Transformative values will guarantee respect, fairness, justice, support, diligence, forgiveness, growth, well-being, prosperity, and national progressiveness for all as a nation.

Degradable values will destroy the strength of any nation. It will become weak from the inside out and collapse in it moral and mental capacity to maintain leadership in the world.

Impact of a Quality Education

Providing students with a quality education in our schools will result in the most prosperous realties including personal success, strong households, great communities, and a progressive society with economic stability, national security, and outstanding leadership locally, and nationally.

Because great nations depend on the quality of education its citizens possess, educators must dedicate themselves to closing any gaps to academic excellence. The pandemic has resulted in a high level of learning loss, especially among low income or underprivileged students.

Therefore, the mission of School districts across the nation should be to implement strategies designed to get students up to and beyond the academic level that existed prior to the pandemic shutdown.

Teachers will need the following prerequisites to achieve a successful outcome:

• Patience
• Dedication
• Compassion
• Collaboration
• Sufficient Resources

Instilling a quality education into students across America will not be easy. Patience and compassion will lead the way. The progressiveness in society will depend on the intelligence and leadership of the next generation and educators are obligated to make that a reality.

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Therefore, first impressions by all staff members must be optimal. Whenever I find myself being the new teacher on the block, I look at the attitude of my team members. This is extremely important to me because the ability to work together means high levels of success.

Moreover, if I am a new teacher, I am going to present myself in a way that my new comrades can feel comfortable approaching me. I am going to introduce myself with a smile, shake hands, and carry myself in a humble atmosphere.

Never enter a new team thinking that you know it all and that know one can teach you anything. Others will see you as arrogant and unteachable. Furthermore, what I have discovered, is that, if you give the impression that you are unteachable, you will take this same energy into a classroom, and it will be reflected to you via students.

If you are a principle who has just hired a new teacher, you must make it a priority that the new teacher on the block feel highly accepted.

Begin by promising your full support as the leader of the teaching staff. Make sure you inform the staff to create a welcoming environment full of welcoming attitudes and a sense of genuine support and guidance.

Creating Great first impressions should take priority if the new teacher on the block is going to perform with the confidence that he or she is having full support. Some of the ways that staff can make new teachers fill comfortable in your school environment are as follows:

• She should know that the principle is her biggest supporter
• She should know that administration got their back
• He should know that every member of the teaching staff is open for supportive questions and guidance.
• The school atmosphere should be welcoming
• The new teacher should have all the materials, supplies and resources necessary to lead and manage a successful classroom.

Adding new teachers and keeping them should be a priority for all principles, administrations, teacher staff. The education system already suffers from a teacher shortage. Thousand of teachers leave the profession, either due to burnout or insufficient pay.

The best schools are driving by teachers who have a sense of purpose, passion, and unity in providing quality education and pushing students toward excellence. The new teacher on the block may just be the person who bring in fresh ideas that can help transform your school and bring closure to the achievement gap.

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However, summer classes have their pros and cons. To begin with, students who attend summer classes get to maintain relationships with classmates. When school is out for the summer, many students suffer from loneliness.

They miss their friends and teachers who they have spent must of their lives with for the last 9 months. That is a long time. During that time, teachers and students become attached to one another enough to be considered a family away from home.

The Solution to Knowledge Retention

Summer classes also appears to be a solution to knowledge retention. According to studies, a percentage of previous knowledge is lost when students are not actively learning during seasonal breaks.

Therefore, when classes resume that following school year, many students will need to be reacquainted with various aspect of STEAM.

Also, the assumption is that summer classes will offer students an opportunity for subject mastery, especially for those students who were lagging during the regular school year. Some studies seem to support this view. Because classes tend to be much smaller in summer school, struggling students have a better chance to receive one on one instruction.

The Profitability of Enhanced Learning

Summer classes are not only profitable for enhanced learning. Going to school during this time of year is beneficial for students who come from low-income backgrounds. School breakfasts and lunches are the only meals that these students can confidently look forward to receiving.

Parents in low-income housing can barely make ends meet. Sometimes they must choose between feeding their children and paying the rent. School lunches eases the burden of these hard-working parents. Have been a teacher for many years, I can say without a doubt, that these parents are very thankful.

Are We Denying Students the Opportunity to be Kids?

Although summer classes appear to be a godsend for many students and parents, others oppose the idea of denying students a summer break. They argue that students need a period to rest their minds and enjoy the summer and to be kids.

Time away from school means mental renewal. All the subjects covered in the classroom, along with constant homework is enough to make students mentally exhausted. The same goes for teachers. They need a break, according to the opposition.

They also state that holding summer classes are not optimal for the other reasons as well, including the cost of summer classes. This is especially true for struggling school systems which hardly have the financial resources to provide a proper education even during the regular school year.

A Call for Good Parental and Student Judgement

In my opinion, the situation should be conditional. If parents think that their children can benefit from taking summer classes, then this should be taken into consideration. However, if parents desire to allow their children to enjoy the summer, that is their choice.

Students who are passionate about learning should be allowed to attend school all year around if they so desire. They have enough excitement and enthusiasm to avoid mental fatigue or exhaustion.

What do you think?

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I agree that high school lockers are a necessity. These private containers are the solution to disorganization, stress, and discomfort during school days.

Disorganization

A locker helps students stay organized. Books and supplies can be organized by subjects or classes. When one class is over, it is easier to go to the locker and exchanged books for the next class instead of carrying all books in one backpack.

Carrying too many books can result in misplacement or loss. Many students leave their books behind after attending a class. Some never find their books again.

Stress

Books are heavy and awkward. Carrying multiple books from class to class can be stressful. Tired arms and shoulders can result in loss of focus. Studies show that students who carry around multiple books in their backpacks often experience back problems.

Loss of Supplies

It is extremely likely to lose supplies when you are trying to carry multiple items from one classroom to another. Students lose books, tablets, writing papers, cell phones, and much more. Hundreds of dollars in materials are loss in a matter of a week.

A High School Locker Should be Used Wisely

Keeping your belongings safe and secure is what makes the high school locker necessary. Parents can waste hundreds of dollars on student supplies each year. Therefore, they should remind their high school son or daughter to keep their lockers neat and organized so that retrievability can be easy.

Nothing should be in a locker that is not relevant to studying and learning. The most common school supplies and materials for any student include:

• Backpack
• Binder
• Brush
• Homework
• Lunch
• Small instruments (large instruments should be stored in music room or class)
• Magnets
• Markers
• Mirror (for girls or boys)
• Notebooks
• Pen holders
• Pens
• Pictures
• Classroom projects
• Shoes
• Textbooks
• Chromebooks or laptops
• Uniforms
• Cellphones

The pleasure of going to high school cannot be replaced. It is a time when our lives were basically carefree. Some of us kept our lockers neat and clean while others kept them full of junk and clutter. Nevertheless, high school lockers are essential for organization and smooth learning.

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The more educated we are the more we can contribute new knowledge and theories to the expansion of our field of studies.

Advantages of an Education

The solution to an improved quality of life is an education. People who can read and write and understand what is happening in the world are more progressive then those who are illiterate and live day to day without any goals and skills.

Special Privileges

People with a good education have an opportunity to experience financial security. When you have a career, you are most likely to feel financially secure. You have skills and knowledge that people, and organization need. You have privilege to some of the finer things in life. You can land a good job, buy a home, take care of a family, and invest in other forms of wealth generating activities.

In Charge

Those who have obtained a quality education are likely to be leaders in the world. Well-learned individuals know how to solve problems regarding their industries. They will know how to detect problems and lead companies out of the challenges that cripple organizations and cause massive failures.

Education is knowledge and, of course, knowledge is power if used effectively.

Responsibility of the Educated

To be educated is to have responsibility. Those who have gained knowledge should be dedicated to helping those who lack knowledge. Most of the time those who make a considerable degree of success in the world often forget about those who they left behind.

As a result, the division between the educated and the illiterate will grow larger and chaos will become an ever-growing factor.

Therefore, the educated must lead the way. They must look beyond themselves and see the needs of those who are in danger of becoming failures in life.

Significance of Continuous Learning

Education is a lifestyle. Learning was ordained from the cradle to the grave. When a baby is born, it immediately starts learning about the world around it. It sees the light. It hears and learns how to recognize its mother’s voice. It learns, identifies, and repeats certain words. The education goes on and on.

Tools that Aid our Education: Schools, Colleges, Good Books,

The opportunity to continue our education abound. Elementary and high schools are the beginnings of systematic education. From Kindergarten to 12^th grade we learn from significant others who help shape our perceptions and attitudes toward the world. We learn about people, cultures, history, and how the world works. We also learn how we, as unique human beings, have purpose and meaning for being here.

The solution to living an improved quality of life is a degree in higher education. To start pursuing a career, we can either attend a 2 year or 4-year college or university. A college degree centralizes our focus and performance in a particular industry.

We can choose to major in various fields, including business, accounting, healthcare, legal system, education, technology, or counseling. Whatever career we choose to pursue, we are committed to lifelong learning. Unless we stay on top of what is happening in our industry, we will be left behind, resulting in lost of skills and current knowledge.

Reading good books is proof that we are sincere about lifelong learning. People who read long after they have finished their systematic schooling become well-informed individuals who are capable leading and guiding others. Remember, knowledge is power. The more of it we acquire, the further we leave others behind who do not go beyond institutional learning.

Conclusion

The acquisition of knowledge is a necessity if we desire to be lifelong scholars. Desiring to be the best in what we do will go a long way in enabling us to contribute something new to our industries. If we are dedicated to excellence, we will never get tired of learning. We will do this for our students and those who follow us. Continuously learning is the hallmark of the truly educated.

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“All Of Life Is A Constant Education.

–Eleanor Roosevelt pic.twitter.com/lspoJ73p0P

— Diptish Kumar Ray (@DiptishKumarR13) August 28, 2020

The importance of education for life is non-negotiable. We must not stop learning. People who are extraordinarily successful in their career and life are constantly educating themselves. They have a routine of reading, research, and discovery new ideas in their field of study.

Education for life gives us an opportunity to grow in leaps and bounds for the sake of becoming leaders and making a difference in our communities.

Do not be distracted by those who think you are a study or research junkie. Constant learning keeps the mind active and sharp. You can think without laziness. People who do not appreciate the power of a constant learning are often left behind and are uninformed of an ever-changing world.

The Motto,” Education for Life, “should talk priority in your life. Without it such commit your life as well as the life of your children will become stagnate

Children must be taught that “Education for Life” is not an option in a world that is changing daily.

Benefit of Education for Life

Embracing the Motto,” Education for Life, “has several benefits

Character Growth

When you teach your children the importance of education for life, they have an opportunity to grow in character as well as good values. Remember the saying that ‘readers become leaders.” That is true, when children enjoy a steady pattern of learning, they become experts in a subject or lesson. They may be to contribute something new to the industry.

Attitude & Message

Children who appreciate the idea of Education for Life possess an attitude for excellence and has a message of progressiveness. Their positive outlook on life has the potential to become roll models and influence the viewpoint of other students.

Image Authority

Children who are well informed on ideas that go beyond the classroom develop an image authority in the classroom as well as in their own community. They become leaders and can choose careers that make a difference in their lives of their neighbors.

Genuinely, they care about others and are willing to stand up for a good cause. Some even become great in campaigning, getting elected and introducing legislation for change.

Qualities Necessary to Embrace the idea of “Education for Life”

• Dedication to Knowledge
• Passion for Excellence
• Willingness to Discover New Ideas

The importance of constantly learning about new things cannot be emphasized. We must keep on learning or our lives and the lives of our children will fall into sameness. When this happens, people stop learning and adaptions and change become more difficult.

We are immortal scholars. Learning is forever.

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The power of student activism to transform the educational environment is greater than most educators, administrators and law makers us can imagine. If students across American adapt a sense of activism nothing can stop the great force and demand such a voices.

But unless enough students stand up against the continuous neglect of the education system in this country, the achievement gap will never close. The quality of education will continue to decline and society will be affected by the lack of competence and leadership to advance the next generation toward greatness.

There is a great need for student activism today. Law makers and administrators are reducing the quality of education by pushing aside the issues that are affecting the quality of education in today’s classrooms. Instead of improving the system, they are deducted funding and cutting vital school programs that make attending school exciting.

The lack of student activism within schools is one of the main reasons entire districts remain in a state of academic limbo. The complaint and protest of teachers are not enough. However, when enough serious minded students begin to stand up for the quality of their education, law makers will listen.

An effective student activist will observe and challenge a number of issues facing the American education system, including:

Crowded Classrooms

Classrooms with 30 to 35 students can be overwhelming for two teachers to a classroom. For just one the situation can be emotionally and physically catastrophic. Huge amounts of stress and fatigue have sent many educators packing in pursuit of other professions.

But students activist can stand up for teachers and their classrooms, confronting law maker’s lack of funding for smaller classrooms with the potential of more one on one student engagement and attention.

Lack of state and federal funding

Teacher’s request for more funding and better pay has always been a continuous struggle with state and federal law makers. Year after year the cry for attention and emphasis on the poor quality of academic resources, instructors, and facilities at school districts across the country has gone unheard.

This is where the power of student activism can play an important role. Students leaders should have a voice when it comes to voting on school funding.

Lawmakers must be confronted on their poor consideration of the struggle of teachers who have to spend their own hard-earned money for student supplies and equipment. Now is the time for taking education serious, understanding that school districts should have adequate resources to provide a superior education for all students.

Bullying and Cyber bullying

Students activism confront the sources of bullying and Cyber bullying and disallow such behavior within their school. Effective student activist will encourage administrator to implement overwhelming consequences to students who bully others.

If enough students stand up against this ruthless activity, maybe those that engage in such activity will be too ashamed to sustain it.

Violence in schools

Effective student activist are always on the look out for indications of violence among their classmates. They are able to sense tension among their fellow classmates and address the issue before its too late.

Activist minded students build a trust bridge with fellow trusted classmates who can give them insights into developing situations among students. Violent complaints and hidden threats are given to the proper authorities before the unimaginable occurs.

The Key to building a dynamic student activism atmosphere begins with taking the initiative on a number of issues facing a school district. The goal is to promote academic reform across the state. Student activist can make themselves known in a variety of ways, including:

• Writing letters to administrators

• Having face to face communication with teachers

• Petitioning elected officials

• Attending and contributing to administrator meetings

Extreme measures may include:

• Sit-ins

• Boycotting schools

• Walk-outs

• Classroom strikes

• Rallies

• Street marches

Student activism are empowered students who empower other students to take a stand against a dysfunctional education system that continuous suffer from a damaging achievement gap that has lasted for years.

When activist minded students come together along with teachers to help promote academic excellence on ever level of education, then administrators, state and federal law makers stand up and pay attention.

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A teacher’s primary responsibility is to take charge and manage the classroom and display a great degree of instructional leadership and gain the respect of her students. A teacher who refuses to do this is apparently not a good choice for students who want to achieve and parents who want the best for their children.

Chaos

Without proper instructional leadership in a classroom, confusion and chaos will most likely be the norm for the entire school year. Teachers who just place books in front of students and expect them to do UN-discussed textbook assignments cannot possibly care about the education of their students. In order for a student to learn effectively, a teacher must provide direction and meaning regarding the subject. Otherwise, mental chaos and confusion will manifest. Teachers who refuse to lead their students are abusing the possibilities of the next generation.

Parental Trust

Teachers must take charge of the educational situation in their classroom in order to maintain the parental trust. The public (including parents and community) expect teachers to equip their children with a quality education. Teachers who are indifferent and don’t adequately prepare lesson plans for students don’t really care about what others think of them. Many do just enough to get by and receive another paycheck. Some give up on challenging students long before the semester ends.

Knowledgeable

The most significant reason a teacher must take charge of the classroom is that she is the only one knowledgeable enough (not the students) to meet the educational requirements and standards set forth by the school board. Knowledgeable teachers are able to research and interpret new trends in education and translate this knowledge to her students. However, to go this far, a teacher must be dedicated to the progress of her students. Bad teachers do not have this commitment.

Growing Insubordination

When students get a sense that teachers are unwilling to provide instructional direction in the classroom, insubordination will be the result. Many will simply stop listening to such a teacher. The Students will not respect a teacher who refuses to respect their need for a quality education. Lazy teachers will soon find themselves out of a job soon. Students, as well as parents, will most likely protest a teacher’s lack of competence who doesn’t deliver a quality education to her students.

The Bottom Line

Students and parents must be aware of such teachers. A good idea for parents is to visit the classroom often to observe the strategies and tactics used by the teacher. Weak strategies involve little or no engagement with the students. Student and teacher engagement must be a high priority for effective learning to take place.

Passionate, knowledgeable, motivational and organized teachers thrive in the educational field because they understand the critical responsibility of instilling in the next generation a sense of excellence. These are the teachers that parents and student should pursue.

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The opportunity to create a causal chain of positive character from one generation to the next is the most novel reality.  As teachers, our responsibility is to think beyond mere teaching. We are not just paid year after year to teach students the ingredients of the curriculum, assess their knowledge, grade them and move them on to the next grade level.

Because of the challenge of teaching, many educators may look at the teaching profession through dimly colored glasses, but there is always a greater way to reach the most unwilling students.  Only a few teachers have found the secret of making a classroom the place where students want to be.

During my most profitable teaching years, I have had the privilege of working with educators who had discovered the secret of empowering a classroom. The application of 10 effective concepts, consistently applied, proved to make the difference between empowered and struggling, mediocre classrooms.

The Top 10 Empowerment Concepts

Purpose

At the beginning of the school year, a teacher must teach purpose. Before anything else, students must realize that they are in school to become positive difference makers in society.  If students are not fully acquainted with this fact from the start, many will have difficulty adjusting throughout the school year.

Therefore, teachers must entertain the ears of the classroom with the idea of purpose from day one. Instilling a deep knowledge of purpose will provide students with a desire to achieve their best in academics, character, and expression.

Excitement

No significant motivation for learning will occur in a boring classroom.  Students should feel excited about moving to the next assignment.  I f your lesson plans are flat and uninspiring, the class will not absorb much of what you are teaching.

Students must understand the importance of what they are learning. Many students act up in class because they don’t understand the purpose of learning about English, Math, and Science.  Therefore, when presenting the lesson plan, you must make sure the clarity is a priority.

When students understand what they are doing and why they are doing it, the assignment suddenly becomes exciting.

Ownership

A sense of ownership makes people feel responsible for what they own. When we give students a sense of ownership for the classroom, they will feel obligated to take care of it. You may disagree with this fact, but it is true.

One reason students continue to waste time in class is that they don’t feel at home in the classroom. ‘It’s Miss Holy or Mr. Swanson Classroom,’ they think.

To change such thinking and create a sense of student ownership, a teacher should never say “This is my classroom,” especially not in anger.  Instead, we should say, “this is our classroom, and we must keep it as perfect as we can, every day.”

Not only should each student have a particular hand in taking care of the classroom, but students should also have a hand in creating what rules should be followed and what consequences should be administered for not following the rules.

Having a sense of ownership in the classroom will make students feel accountable for what goes in the classroom.  A sense of ownership empowers!

Teamwork

An empowered classroom is a team of students who knows how to work together to get things done.  The concept of team is very significant.  If students cannot work together, it will be impossible to empower them to work as an empowered classroom.

Great teams care about and support one another.  If there is a problem with the team, the issue is talked out and resolved without hesitation.  Students must learn to work as a team to become instruments of empowerment.

They must be able to work through difficulty, conflict, and selfishness.  Every student must do his part with the knowledge that he is doing it for the sake of others.  Teachers must replace the concept of “I” with the concept of “We”.  Throughout the classroom, the sound of “We” must be the norm.

Recognition

The failure to pour on the recognition is one of the biggest mistakes the majority of teachers make during the school year. I can agree that it is hard to give praise and recognition constantly to students who steadily disrupt the classroom, but this is exactly what it will take gradually to redirect the negative behavior of some students.

Recognizing students for good seatwork productivity, respectful behavior toward classmates and keeping in line with the rules and regulations of the classroom is the hallmark of empowerment. When teachers verbally and tangibly honor students for daily productivity and character, these students feel good about their uniqueness and ability to perform excellently.

Catch students doing well throughout the day and recognize them.  At first, this may be exhausting, considering all the other duties of teaching, but if practiced without reservation, the ability to honor students will become a habit.

Impact

Teach with impact. Weak teaching is like “I don’t want to be here, but the sense I am, I might as well get through the day.”  Impact teaching means that lessons are taught with a sense of passion, excitement, and engagement.

Ask questions and get students to ask questions.  Allow them to stand up and come up front. Full engagement of teacher and students makes learning exciting.

A part of classroom empowerment is allowing students to be highly involved in the daily learning process. This approach is utilized by outstanding teachers of the year.

Learning is more than lecturing students with a boring, dry and unengaging subject.  The majority of teachers don’t allow students to come up front enough.  But in classrooms of empowerment, students are not only allowed to come up front but to teach whole lessons at times.

Don’t be afraid to allow students to take the stage while you facilitate the project or activity.

Ability

The more students are convinced of their ability to win the more empowered they become.  As teachers, we must prioritize ability at all times. Promote a sense of ability in the classroom.  Define the word time and time again so that students with grasp the significance of the term.

If students don’t have a keen awareness of their ability to start and complete an assignment, they will be timid in their ability to learn.  Therefore, teachers must convince students that there is nothing impossible to accomplish with the ability that is within them.

Every student must know that he or she has the inner ability to be a starter and a finisher in whatever they set their mind to achieve.  However, many teachers never strive to eliminate such student doubts and fears about what they can and cannot do.

One mains reason students act up is that the doubt themselves when it comes to understating assignments and doing seat works.  But once a student is convinced of his ability to do anything, he will become excited about learning and perform excellently.

Problem Solving

Problem Solving is a great channel by which to empower a classroom.  Ultimately, the arm of all activities within the classroom leads to solving some problem.  Educators must teach as well as a model to their students how to solve problems.

A lot of this training is accomplished through group work or projects. The teacher sets the criteria for group projects and then facilitates the activities from beginning to end.  But students must resolve every problem encountered through the completion the project. The types of issues that will likely be manifest include:

• Process problems
• Quality problems
• Attitude problems

Students must be allowed to work through each to be considered an empowered classroom.  When working on a project, a student should be choosing to record all conflicts and how they were resolved.

Variety

When variety is put in each lesson planning, learning becomes exciting to students.  A lesson plan should consist of a variety of teaching methods, including music, games, and movement.  Some teachers start the day with soft music to get students in a receptive mood for instructions.

Studies show that music can make students more focused on raising the Alpha waves in their brain.

Outstanding teachers can make a lesson plan so interesting that students will be willing to forsake recess just to stay inside and participate in the learning.

Social Responsibility

It is never too early to teach students about their responsibility to society.  They are being taught to make a difference in the generation to come: their generation.   They must know that the reason they are learning what they are learning is to take control, to become the leaders, inventors and change makers of the next generation.

They must understand that what they do in school today will determine how well they make a positive difference in their neighborhoods, communities and yes, their country.

When students know of their responsibility in creating a strong future society, they will feel empowered to release the best within themselves.

Work with Allies to Master Classroom Empowerment

In order to master the business of classroom empowerment, you must work with others who think the same way.  Great things cannot be accomplished without the support of others. Therefore, enlist parents, fellow teachers and outside resources to create an empowered classroom.

Make connecting with parents a top priority.  Teachers and parents working closely together to empower children will go a long way in helping to accelerate the transformation of these children.

You and fellow teachers must support one another on a daily basis. Working together to create empowered classrooms will have its challenges, but two or three like-minded teachers working together can move mountains.

Research rich resources, including outstanding educational websites, Youtube channels and other social media channels to get creative ideas for empowering your classroom.

Warning: Administration

Beware of administration. When you are determined to empower your classroom, you must have the courage to go against some the limitations that administration will place on you as an educator.

Administration ideal of a great classroom is based on the idea of coverage and silence. I mention this issue in my book Criteria for Exceptional Classroom Teachers. For example, if your classroom is always having good time learning, some administrators might think that some aspects of the curriculum are not getting done.

Moreover, administration, as well as some teachers, may think that your classroom is out of order most of the time.  But don’t allow yourself or your classroom to be shaped by outside opinions and fears.  The greatest teachers possess a certain degree of radicalism which creates greatness in academics and performance.

The Duty of Every Teacher

The business of classroom empowerment is the duty of every teacher.  The future depends on upon us teachers to delight in what we do. Our duty is to shape and design the lives of students so that they will be able to influence the lives of others for the better.

The benefits of empowering our classroom are vast, including accelerated growth in academics, character, and positive expression.

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