Find Five Fridays
While thinking about student opportunity that creates connections and involves community outcomes, I immediately thought about the importance of clubs! Sports are always hailed for their benefits for students, but it seems clubs don’t get the same praise. I want my “finds” to be a highlight of clubs that focus on middle and high school students. All of my “finds” are all clubs I have been involved with as a student and would like to see my students take part in or clubs I have been involved with as a teacher. They all provide powerful opportunities and connections for students of various interests.
1. Mock Trial. If you are unfamiliar with Mock Trial, it is a club spanning middle, high school, and collegiate years where students are given a real case and present both sides at a “mock” trial. Students spend months building evidence for the case and take on the roles of witnesses and lawyers. A real judge hears the case and lawyers act as the jurors to decide the case. Students are able to dip their toes into law, politics, and the community.
2. My Daughter’s Kitchen. A cooking club for middle school students who express an interest in food and creating healthy meals. It’s a program my school has and it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more about nutrition. The club has a big celebration that invites the student’s families and community members to a feast the students prepare. It gives students skills they can take home to their families and communities. Most Philadelphia schools are celebrating this program. Read about it here.
3. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
FBLA helps high school and middle school students prepare for careers in business through academic competitions (FBLA Competitive Events), leadership development, and educational programs. Students can prepare for college and careers through a variety of leadership, community service, and academic activities. It gives students opportunities to network with other students from different areas, as well as entrepreneurial options and scholarships. Read about it here.
4. Science & Technology Club. A club that celebrates and explores all things science & tech. The reason this club is so special and awesome is because the goal is to let the students decide what they want to explore. It can be gaming, astronomy, coding, food science, robotics, chemistry, etc. It is ran off of student interest and gives the kids obsessed with all things science, an outlet to delve into it. It connects kids with similar likes and celebrates their passions. I’ve seen this done as a “girl’s only” club too to get more women involved in the sciences. A popular alternative is a STEAM club!
5. Book Club. For all your book lovers! Book club will give your students a million opportunities to connect with peers and their communities. I have liked a specific “Shakespeare Book Club” for Middle & High School Students where they tie literature, art, and drama together. It is also a club that can be done virtually with students or can connect different book clubs across the globe for different perspectives.
