LIFE SKILL FRIDAY
One of my main goals as a teacher is to prepare my students for life outside of my classroom. I always tell them that it's not going to matter in 20 years whether or not they can explain to me why the Nile River was critical in the formation of Egypt as a civilization. What is going to matter is how they are as a person. Do they hold the door open for people? Do they try their hardest at whatever they attempt? Do they treat the CEO and the custodian with the same level of respect? Those are the things that are going to actually matter... Furthermore, the one thing I never wanted to hear my students say is the dreaded phrase of "When am I ever going to use this in the real world?" Because of my anticipation of this question, I implemented Life Skill Friday into my classroom.
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Life Skill Friday is a concept that, at its root, is very simple... The last Friday of every month, instead of doing something from the curriculum, I teach them a different life skill that might come in handy in the future. Some of the favorites have been: how to change a flat tire, how to write a check and balance a checkbook, and how to properly calculate the tax and tip for a bill. We also do less physical tasks, in favor for more ideological ones like, different ways to efficiently manage your time, how to introduce yourself to someone you don't know, and interview skills.
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Overall, the kids love having this break from whatever we are learning and I love teaching them something that can help them in the future.
