Curriculum that comes to life!
It can be a lot of work to be a teacher that truly takes the time to create ‘fun’ curriculum which to me (as a teacher) actually means meaningful curriculum that makes the topics and concepts come to life. Books have tons and tons of definitions, topics, and concepts, but they aren’t always exciting and thrilling. They don’t always make learning fun and often times as teachers we recognize that making learning fun is actually a lot more work. After all, students often want things that are interactive and hands-on, but what they don’t realize is that the ‘fun’ things that teachers plan require a lot of organizing, coordinating, and most of all time. Remember that this is the type of curriculum that helps the students retain important information, but also provides life lessons.
This past week I have done quite a bit of self-reflection on my activities and lessons in hopes of becoming a better teacher and improving my projects for future classes. I recently planned my annual ‘Cutthroat Food Truck’ project where there is auctioning and chaos within the classroom. It’s during my Supply & Demand Unit which makes it really fun. There’s a shortage of ink in the marketplace so there is no printing allowed, there is an unlimited supply of white computer paper available because there is a major supplier producing it, markers are readily available and not in short supply, but due to the demand of scissors, glue, tape, and colored paper there is a limited number of premium resources available and the groups must bid to obtain these wants. It’s quite entertaining because I do most of the auctioning while students are creating their food cart which adds an extra layer to the project. Students must pay attention to items that are up for bid as they create and brainstorm on their food truck. They get a set amount of ‘money’ (yes, it’s fake!) to use toward bidding on items. They must consider whether they will bid each other up for items, trade-off items, or how they will strategize to create a cool and fun food truck.
It is quite exhausting to coordinate, organize, and implement (and a bit costly because I bring in patterned decorative tape and paper, special stickers, etc), but it turns out to be a cool project that teaches supply, demand, wants, needs, scarcity, and limited and unlimited resources. What is most important about this project is that it brings these complex, boring economic concepts (okay, let’s be honest I am a Financial Economics major so it hurt to have to type ‘boring’ to describe those concepts, but for most students it is the reality) to LIFE! It gives meaning and excitement to these students.
This also helps bring your students that have different learning styles and levels to an area that connects with real life. Nearly all students can relate to some of the concepts and it puts money in their hands! They have to figure out how to spend it efficiently or else they learn a lesson on how not to spend money (which can be equally as important)! My point is that if you bring your lessons to life you will find so much more success in your classroom. I will guarantee that!
This one is for my fellow teachers, economic lovers (me!), and all those that strive to make a difference in every single student’s life.
~jj
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