What is simple theoretically comes up against reality during third period on Friday morning. But in doing so, she limited the students' opportunities to tap into their creativity. The lesson was not an invitation to explore the theme. It is only through constant reflection and analysis of practice and curriculum plans that a teacher brings to fruition the elements of powerful teaching and learning. Students do not initially need to find a topic relevant.
Teachers create relevance through their selection of good problems.
Thus a physics problem involving momentum and energy becomes exciting to students through their experimentation with a pendulum. For one thing, the apparatus offers immediate feedback. This feature is a 'hook' for many students. But teacher mediation is the key factor. Expeditionary Learning teachers have realized the power of unifying themes or topics in designing extended learning expeditions.