Teaching Ideas for Secondary School

Creative and relevant ideas are often taught in secondary school classrooms.

Adding creative lesson plans and activities to your teaching repertoire will keep students challenged and urge them to participate in their own learning. In addition to adequately covering core subject areas integrated with relevant, real-world applications, consider including community and global ideas. Combining the content material with time-sensitive topics will help keep student engaged.

Current Events

Include news stories from the past few years in the classroom, like Afghanistan, Wiki-leaks and terrorism. Even though the events may not change the way they live their lives, each student should realize that it has an effect on our world. Encourage each student to write about the current news events and list possible ideas for helping difficult situations.

Literary Works

After students have read and discussed a piece of literature, consider bringing some drama into the classroom. Devise or download a theatrical version of the book for student to act out in front of the class. Poll the spectators to find out if they thought the performance was a good representation of the work and discuss.

Global Citizenship

In small groups, encourage students to make lists of those countries that they believe to be depleted as well as rich in food supply for both its animals and citizens. The groups should research these nations to find out what kind of food is plentiful compared to what is imported, how many families are on the brink of starvation and factors that lead to insecure food sources (politics, environment) within the chosen nations. The students should develop a group presentation to inform others of the situation within their chosen country.

National Spies

Encourage each student to write an essay on his feelings and opinions on secret surveillance with regard to telephone tapping and internet usage. Each day, several students should read their paper and discuss it with the class. Tell students to interview the reader as if he were giving a press conference.

References

• Lesson Plans Page: What is Terrorism?
• Teachable Moment: Should a President have the Right to Eavesdrop on You?
• Global Education: Exploring Global Food Security