Build Connections Activity

Help students create a link between content and their lives.

The Importance Of Build Connections

Creating stronger connections within the classroom contributes to a healthier learning environment, where students feel free to learn and express their thoughts openly.

Building positive connections to learning instills value in the content and fosters social belonging in the classroom. Both outcomes have been shown to yield positive academic results for students across the board.

Build Connections

Things to keep in mind when helping students find value in learning.

Acknowledge feelings of frustration or boredom with school

Affirm that students might not find every moment of school relevant, interesting, or exciting. Then, encourage students to explore new ways of thinking about schoolwork.

Create an autonomy supportive environment, find topics you’re interested in, and immerse yourself

Help students explore and reflect on how school connects to their lives (not your life). Avoid telling them why they “must learn this.” Instead, encourage them to consider how it might connect to different aspects of their life (classroom, family, daily life, careers, helping others).

Provide examples of possible connections

Students may need help initiating examples, so be ready with some ideas of your own connections, or share connections made by other students. The more students can self-initiate connections, the more likely they are to perceive the value in schoolwork.

Ask follow-up questions

Students may start with vague connections (“Learning this will help me in the future.”). Be prepared to ask questions that encourage students to be specific (“Tell me about the skills needed for your hobby.” “What else do you know about this topic?” “Do you know of any examples of anyone else using this in their life?”).

Provide knowledge of the topic

Students need sufficient exposure to and information about a topic to make high-quality connections. Allow students to refer to materials they have used or created in class (study guides, unit reviews, glossaries, notes, etc.) to help them think more deeply about the topic and spark ideas.

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