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Life lessons from beyond the classroom
November 28, 2012, Wednesday
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THERE'S no question that students learn every day in the classroom, but when they step outside of the school campus and get the opportunity to apply this knowledge first-hand, the experience broadens their horizons.
At Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai),the Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) program is a key component of the Secondary curriculum, giving students the chance to travel to destinations within China, with a focus on cultural exchange,outdoor adventure,personal development and teamwork. This education would not be complete without a strong link to the subject areas they are studying.
This year, Year 7 students studying ancient Chinese history traveled to Xi'an to see cultural artifacts, which made the study of history come alive for the students. Before and after the trip they worked on related assignments that incorporated an ICT focus on research and delivery.
For Year 8 students, who were studying a unit on rivers at the same time as their EOTC trip to Yangshuo, the EOTC trip was centered around the Li River, with several activities based on the river over the week. Students used their prior knowledge to identify key elements of rivers, and once they returned they applied this knowledge and their ICT skills on various assignments.
The Year 9 students were studying tourism, and through personal observations on the trip regarding various tourist enterprises, they completed a multimedia project upon their return.
This program not only broadens their understanding of their host country, but also helps develop a sense of purpose in their own lives. Read on for several student accounts of their EOTC experience.
Warriors and new friends
Anita, Year 7
My name is Anita and I'm in year seven. This is my first year in Secondary and my first time in Education Outside The Classroom. This year we went to Xi'an.
Before the trip, we learned a lot about ancient China. We learned that Xi'an was the capital for many dynasties, and there are numerous historical sites there.
The most famous example would be the terracotta warriors. In Humanities, we learned that Qin was the very first dynasty and the emperor Qin Shi Huang had the terracotta warriors built. They were built to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
When we were there, we learned that there was an uprising not long after the figures were built where many were destroyed and all stripped of color. Seeing them with my own eyes made me appreciate how grand they were. But it was also sad to see the broken pieces and colorless warriors.
Our visit to a local school was also an experience that was really important to me. The students made me feel really welcome. Even though they live in difficult conditions they find ways to have fun. It made me realize that even if someone doesn't have much, they can certainly be happy.
This trip was an amazing learning experience for me.
Stepping into others' shoes
Leo, Year 11
Every year, our school offers an Education Outside The Classroom trip, where we travel to different places in China, participating in various activities. As I have gone on EOTC the past few years and greatly enjoyed it, I eagerly signed up for this year's EOTC in Sichuan, where our primary objective was to teach lessons and provide a variety of sporting and educational equipment for a rural primary school in Anyue County.
We stayed for four days at the school, organizing lessons and playing with the children. We lived in dormitories at the school and ate at the cafeteria.
This trip was life-changing. In class, we often talk about people around the world who are less fortunate than us. However, talking about the subject alone does not make much of an impact.
On this trip, I really stepped into the shoes of the rural people in China. I now know how they have to physically work every day to support their families. Their perseverance and overall optimistic attitude are something I definitely learned from.
This trip made me realize how fortunate we are. People all around me have done so much to help shape me into who I am, and I would like to take this chance to say: thank you!
Teaching ... and learning
Naomi, Year 11
All of us are extremely lucky to be able to live in such an interesting and exciting place as China. My school, YCIS, makes sure that we understand this and gives us the opportunity to visit parts of China every year.
From Year 7 to Year 11, the school offers trips called Education Outside The Classroom trips.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to participate in every trip, and each has been a magical memory.
Whether it is visiting the historical terracotta warriors in Xi'an, kayaking in the clear waters of Yangshuo, hiking in the picturesque mountains of Lijiang, building fishponds for local villages in Guizhou, or teaching at a local primary school in Sichuan, these were once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
I would definitely say that this year's trip to Sichuan was the most memorable. How often do you get the chance to stay and teach in a local primary school in the countryside of Anyue County?
Staying in a school with limited facilities was a first-hand experience on how the children live every day.
I got a better picture on life in rural China, and I learned a precious lesson; tobe thankful.
At Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai),the Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) program is a key component of the Secondary curriculum, giving students the chance to travel to destinations within China, with a focus on cultural exchange,outdoor adventure,personal development and teamwork. This education would not be complete without a strong link to the subject areas they are studying.
This year, Year 7 students studying ancient Chinese history traveled to Xi'an to see cultural artifacts, which made the study of history come alive for the students. Before and after the trip they worked on related assignments that incorporated an ICT focus on research and delivery.
For Year 8 students, who were studying a unit on rivers at the same time as their EOTC trip to Yangshuo, the EOTC trip was centered around the Li River, with several activities based on the river over the week. Students used their prior knowledge to identify key elements of rivers, and once they returned they applied this knowledge and their ICT skills on various assignments.
The Year 9 students were studying tourism, and through personal observations on the trip regarding various tourist enterprises, they completed a multimedia project upon their return.
This program not only broadens their understanding of their host country, but also helps develop a sense of purpose in their own lives. Read on for several student accounts of their EOTC experience.
Warriors and new friends
Anita, Year 7
My name is Anita and I'm in year seven. This is my first year in Secondary and my first time in Education Outside The Classroom. This year we went to Xi'an.
Before the trip, we learned a lot about ancient China. We learned that Xi'an was the capital for many dynasties, and there are numerous historical sites there.
The most famous example would be the terracotta warriors. In Humanities, we learned that Qin was the very first dynasty and the emperor Qin Shi Huang had the terracotta warriors built. They were built to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
When we were there, we learned that there was an uprising not long after the figures were built where many were destroyed and all stripped of color. Seeing them with my own eyes made me appreciate how grand they were. But it was also sad to see the broken pieces and colorless warriors.
Our visit to a local school was also an experience that was really important to me. The students made me feel really welcome. Even though they live in difficult conditions they find ways to have fun. It made me realize that even if someone doesn't have much, they can certainly be happy.
This trip was an amazing learning experience for me.
Stepping into others' shoes
Leo, Year 11
Every year, our school offers an Education Outside The Classroom trip, where we travel to different places in China, participating in various activities. As I have gone on EOTC the past few years and greatly enjoyed it, I eagerly signed up for this year's EOTC in Sichuan, where our primary objective was to teach lessons and provide a variety of sporting and educational equipment for a rural primary school in Anyue County.
We stayed for four days at the school, organizing lessons and playing with the children. We lived in dormitories at the school and ate at the cafeteria.
This trip was life-changing. In class, we often talk about people around the world who are less fortunate than us. However, talking about the subject alone does not make much of an impact.
On this trip, I really stepped into the shoes of the rural people in China. I now know how they have to physically work every day to support their families. Their perseverance and overall optimistic attitude are something I definitely learned from.
This trip made me realize how fortunate we are. People all around me have done so much to help shape me into who I am, and I would like to take this chance to say: thank you!
Teaching ... and learning
Naomi, Year 11
All of us are extremely lucky to be able to live in such an interesting and exciting place as China. My school, YCIS, makes sure that we understand this and gives us the opportunity to visit parts of China every year.
From Year 7 to Year 11, the school offers trips called Education Outside The Classroom trips.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to participate in every trip, and each has been a magical memory.
Whether it is visiting the historical terracotta warriors in Xi'an, kayaking in the clear waters of Yangshuo, hiking in the picturesque mountains of Lijiang, building fishponds for local villages in Guizhou, or teaching at a local primary school in Sichuan, these were once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
I would definitely say that this year's trip to Sichuan was the most memorable. How often do you get the chance to stay and teach in a local primary school in the countryside of Anyue County?
Staying in a school with limited facilities was a first-hand experience on how the children live every day.
I got a better picture on life in rural China, and I learned a precious lesson; tobe thankful.
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