On the student survey, we ask, “Was the content of your classes different from classes at your school?” We do not replicate the high school curriculum. We do not teach the Georgia Performance Standards or the Common Core. We provide our students with material that they will not encounter in a regular high school classroom.
Your class may be a college-level kind of course, or it might take students deeper into material to which they’ve already been introduced. You could do a broad introduction to a field, or delve deeply into a specific topic or work.
Some examples from years past:
- Hap Truslow (SocStuds) brought photocopies of actual pension files of the New York Irish Brigade of the Union Army. Each student got his “own” soldier, and Hap guided them through decoding the documents in the file. The student had to evaluate whether the claim for a pension was justified based on their research into the Civil War battles the soldier (or his heirs) claimed he was in and the wounds he claimed to have received.
- In Science (various instructors), the ecology students do field research using the various habitats here on campus, especially the creek. They learn to make specific and close observations and then set up experiments to answer questions they’ve developed.
- Jobie Johnson (CommArts) guides students through Anglo-Saxon poetry, giving them the tools they need to pick apart the pagan basis from the Christian overlays.
- Mike Funt (Theatre) works with masks and clowning to teach students how to use their bodies to express a storyline.
You have probably already talked to your department chair about what you want to cover in your class. If not, do so soon!
A good question is, “How different is too different?” We have to be able to afford whatever you’re teaching, of course; practical nuclear physics is probably not a good topic, and the budget certainly will not allow for a classroom set of the Riverside Shakespeare. Also, while our students are intellectually sophisticated, they are still minors. You have more latitude in addressing mature topics than you would back home, but remember that not just anything goes. My rule for that is if the topic is defensible, I will defend it. If you have questions about your plans, run them by me.
In comments, share ideas and questions you have about your instruction.
Got it.
Posted by Ben Crosby on May 8th, 2013.
I’m bringing back the Anglo Saxon course this year, too.
Posted by Jobie on May 9th, 2013.
We’re experimenting with concentrations for math, which gives us a larger block of time of instruction vs. typical courses. Hopefully, this will lead to more seminar-like instruction and less of the standard lecture.
Posted by Henry Mei on May 9th, 2013.
Got it!
Posted by Marley Myers on May 12th, 2013.
Content: All that great stuff out there not available to the regular classroom teachers.
Posted by Kathy Holden on May 13th, 2013.
Teach that which is not covered in the regular classroom but which is important and can be used. I cover Manners for all occasions esp table and dress for all occasions esp. business and entertaining the client. This was actually asked for by the CEO of the Southern Company, Kroger Foods, and the Pres. of the Atlanta Federal Reserve.
Posted by Suzie Click on May 13th, 2013.
I’m working on ideas that leverage engagement across different mediums (hands-on/physical and conceptual/digital) as well as tackling real-world/immediate issues that have meaning for the students.
Posted by Catherine Muller on May 14th, 2013.
I immerse students in a form of Spanish not taught in school.
Posted by Quique on May 15th, 2013.
Got it
Posted by Doug on May 15th, 2013.
Got it!
Posted by Vance on May 19th, 2013.
Tell me why, not just what…
Posted by Gini on May 21st, 2013.
Got it
Posted by James d on June 7th, 2013.
The students will be literally “wading” through the material!
Posted by Rebecca Potter on June 9th, 2013.
At what point is content “too boring” for high schoolers? Even the highly gifted and motivated ones?
Posted by Jordan on June 17th, 2013.
got it
Posted by Hugh on June 23rd, 2013.