At times, it can be challenging to find common ground with your students, no matter if they’re 6 or 18 years old. There’s no better way to get to know each other than spending some quality time together. Dull lessons do not count.
So, if you are a K12 educator – here are five crazy ideas for you!
Hold a Movie Marathon
Your students will love it! Pick a genre, make a list of actors, or let your students come up with criteria on deciding what to watch.
It can be sci-fi only, or drama and comedies. If you’re dwelling on actors, consider Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, and even Adam Sandler’s movie marathon.
You may watch two or three movies with learners and discuss them over the cups of hot cocoa. Another idea: spend a day or a few watching all of the Harry Potter movies, enjoying the company of each other.
Afterward, have a quiz or a contest based on the movies you’ve watched with prizes for the best knowledge of the plot. And don’t forget to prepare snacks for your movie marathon. They are almost as important as picking the films. You can bring pizza, popcorn, pretzels, candies, chips, etc.
This will definitely engage students in the learning process. Lots of teachers don’t know how to motivate and draw attention of the listeners to the learning process thus students are googling “write my essay for me” to get additional help with boring assignments. Talking to students the same language they do can significantly boost their interest and academic performance, though.
Go Hiking
This idea will work for students of any age. Grab some supplies, food, and a tent and go off exploring the world. A little tip for you – it is better to plan how you’ll spend your leisure time in advance. You may need some sports equipment or other specific stuff.
Talk to your students and find out if anybody’s playing the guitar. Just imagine – a beautiful evening, crackling of firewood, the natural sounds of wildlife and songs performed by someone playing guitar. What could be better?
While sitting around the fireplace, you can also tell stories to each other. Scary or funny ones, let the kids decide. This way, all of you will get to know each other better and feel more connected.
If there are any herbarium lovers, they can create a new collection by gathering unique plants on your way.
Travel with pleasure!
Make a Time Capsule
To enjoy this suggestion, prepare beforehand. Gather small things that remind you of something positive in a special box, let your students write letters in cursive to their older selves or a message to people in the future and shove it away. Make a group photo and put it in the box as well.
Ask the learners to do the same, gather all the stuff – and shove it away. Do not forget to take a group photo doing so!
Negotiate the terms, indicate the date when you’ll open a newly made capsule. In 10, 15, or 20 years decide on meeting and opening it up all together.
And if in 20 years from now you decide to open it, you will have a whole box of memories that you’ve made. Your students will be able to read what they wanted at the time. Plenty of room to reconsider the way they lived and thought.
Believe, it will be worth it!
Visit a Cooking Class
Sometimes cooking classes are held in cafes, restaurants, or even large hypermarkets. But most often the venue for them are specially created culinary studios.
Deciding on attending such a class, all of you will be able to learn something new, share what you have learned, try to cook favorite dishes. Or you can go with some unique cuisine.
Afterward, you will be able to enjoy the meal together, which would be even better than just to have some dinner out.
As you have worked hard to cook that meal, the reward may seem like the most delicious food in your lives!
Go Cycling for All Day
This is an excellent opportunity to spend time with your students in an informal setting and with the benefit for health. Better plan a route in advance. For example, you can go to the nearest village.
When calculating the mileage, it is essential to take into account the abilities of each participant, at least roughly. If the trip is scheduled for half a day, plan for a break or a few as well.
You can also have a picnic together, as for sure, learners will get hungry after all the riding.
Plan your stops, and if it works out, you will have a picnic in a park or a forest. Just relax, have a rest, and maybe play some games altogether.
Wrapping Up
If you want to create unforgettable memories and have fun spending your free time with the students, hopefully, you’ve reached the right place.
Remember that the most important thing is to enjoy your time and company. So don’t forget to bring a good mood as well.
