Make it real - the glory of in-lesson extra-curricular activities

"Why do we have to learn this, sir?"

"Miss? How will this help us in the real world?"

The questions students ask in class are often the barometer of their engagement levels. The ones above, which are perhaps sadly familiar to those forced to teach obscure sonnets or niche equations by curriculum designers, are definitely NOT indicative of an engaged class.

Here's where offering extra-curricular activities comes in: they are the bridge between the theoretical and the practical. They show students the real-world applications of the knowledge and skills they are acquiring. They give the students the answer to the "Why?" and "What's in it for me?" questions. Extra-curricular activities boost engagement.

Now, let me make something clear:

Extra-curricular activities do NOT have to take place outside of lessons. 

I've seen looks of blank misunderstanding in schools when I've said this before, so I'll explain. I'm all in favour of clubs that happen after school or in lunchtimes (especially if, as at my school, teachers are paid extra for running them) but that's not what I mean here. I mean scheduling time within lessons/your scheme of work to carry out activities with your students that are not on the curriculum. 

Here's some real examples I have seen in schools:

- school plays where all of the rehearsal time takes place in English lessons (with teaching sets re-arranged so that the whole cast is in one class)

- an app that students can use to feedback on the school canteen's menu options developed during A Level Computer Science classes

- designs for the overhaul of the school library created during GCSE Design & Technology classes (one was then used)

- A Level PE students running Y7 PE lessons during their own lesson time

- students being given time to write articles for the student newspaper during lesson time

- students helping to dig, plant and nurture an organic garden during Biology lessons

- action research carried out during both Psychology and English Language A Level lessons (crucially, this wasn't required by the syllabus, but the teachers did it anyway to give students a taste of the skills that would be required at University)

- testing the efficacy of different chlorine/saline compounds at cleaning the school swimming pool in a GCSE Chemistry lesson

There are loads of possibilities. Many will depend on your school's facilities and context. However, finding time within the academic year to carry out real-world extra-curricular activities within lesson time is a guaranteed way to boost engagement in your subject. 



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