Expert: Tracy Chatters - 8/21/2008

Question
Hi! I'm teaching Student Council this year. Unlike most schools, this is an actual class at our high school. The primary goal of the class is to orchestrate school events; however, this doesn't take up the entire class period every day, for all students. I'd like to integrate instruction, but these students already study lit., govt., etc. Do you have any advice for activities or a supplementary curriculum when the event planning has come to a lull, or for student groups that are ahead of the others?

Thank you!

Answer
If you're teaching Student Government, you likely have many of the top students in your school. I would teach college planning, how to write your college essay, how to choose a college that fits your personality etc. I would also teach some important life skill curriculum that is usually left out of the usual high school these days- how to tell if a credit card is a good deal, budgeting and balancing a check book, resume writing and interview skills. If you still have time after that, a community service project that lasts a semester would be a nice way to round out the year.