At Leverett’s Chapel, we believe learning should be active, meaningful, and connected to the real world. During our recent fossil fuels unit, our students experienced exactly that.
As part of the unit, we integrated community involvement by offering an extra credit interview assignment. Students were asked to interview someone who works directly with fossil fuels, specifically coal, oil, or natural gas. They then presented the results of their interviews to the class. Many of our students have family members who work in West Texas in the Midland and Odessa area. This assignment gave students the opportunity to connect classroom learning to real careers and real people they know. Several students shared stories about parents and relatives who work long hours in the oil field. One student, Rowyn, even brought in a piece of machinery from the oil field to show the class. That moment made the learning tangible and real. For many of our students, family members travel for work. This project created a meaningful way to include those relatives in our classroom learning. It strengthened both understanding and connection.
This week, we expanded the unit by integrating dinosaurs into our study of fossil fuels. Students participated in dinosaur rotations focused on animal traits and adaptations. During rotations, we played a video with dinosaur sounds so students could better imagine what life may have been like during that era. The engagement level was high because students were immersed in the experience. Students also created their own dinosaurs out of playdough. They modeled how fossils are formed and explained the process to their peers. Using mini dinosaurs pressed between layers, they demonstrated how fossils are created over time through pressure and sediment. They were not simply memorizing information. They were demonstrating understanding.
Hands-on learning increases engagement. It strengthens retention. It allows students to communicate their thinking with confidence.
This is what we mean when we talk about preparing students with real-world skills and academic excellence. When learning is meaningful, students take ownership.
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Go Lions!