Writing Prompt: Invent a New Class
Channel: John Spencer
Date: 2015-11-19

What if you got the chance to design your own class from scratch? Here's a short illustrated video that allows your students to answer this question. Enjoy what you're seeing? Please subscribe to the channel: http://bit.ly/spencervideos


Here's the transcript: 

Learning can happen anywhere at any time. 

You might be picking up a new skill or learning a new concept or discovering a part of your world you never knew before. 

It might involve talking to an expert or reading a book or watching a movie. 

So think about some of the learning that happens outside of school. What if it happened inside of school? What if you could create an entire class from scratch? 

Invent that class. 

Who would be allowed to take the class? Describe the ideal student. What would you learn? What would the goals be? How would you measure your progress?  What activities would you do? What projects would you do? What would you make? What materials would you use? Where would it take place? Outside or inside? In a small room? A big room? Multiple rooms? What kind of furniture would you have? Who would teach the class? What would the teacher need to know?  

Your pitch has to explain what the class will be and why your school should choose it as a new elective.